Global Ice Cloud Top Temperature Maps from ADEOS-II Satellite

Monthly global maps of ice cloud top temperature, derived from the GLI sensor onboard the JAXA ADEOS-II satellite. The data provides representative values at a 1/4-degree spatial resolution, with a statistical period of one month. This product, Version 2, was generated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) using observations from the 2003 mission.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial patterns of ice cloud top temperature using the 1/4-degree gridded map data to study cloud-climate feedbacks.
• Validate climate model simulations of upper-tropospheric ice clouds by comparing modeled cloud top temperatures against this satellite-derived product.
• Investigate seasonal or interannual variability in ice cloud properties by utilizing the monthly temporal resolution of the dataset.
• Correlate ice cloud top temperature with other atmospheric variables to understand formation and persistence mechanisms of cirrus clouds.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage at a consistent 1/4-degree grid resolution.
• Data derived from a multi-channel radiance system (channels 30, 35, 36) using a specific emission retrieval method.
• Offers both 1-month and 16-day statistical aggregation periods for temporal analysis.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited to the operational period of the ADEOS-II satellite in 2003, providing a short time series.
• Specific row counts, file sizes, and detailed error metrics for the data are not provided.
• The product is projected in EQR (Equirectangular) projection, which may introduce distortion at high latitudes.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Collection Method

Remote sensing data from the GLI (Global Imager) optical sensor onboard the ADEOS-II (Midori II) satellite, processed to Level 3 binned and mapped products.

Time Range

2003 (specific observation dates within the satellite's operational period).

Freshness

Data last updated 2003-10-25; represents a historical snapshot from a specific satellite mission.

Geography

Global.