AIRS2CCF_NRT: Near-Real-Time Cloud-Cleared Infrared Radiances from Aqua Satellite

Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) Level 2 Near Real Time (NRT) Cloud-Cleared Infrared Radiances provide calibrated, geolocated infrared radiance measurements from the EOS Aqua satellite. The product is generated with a three-hour latency for the LANCE system, with data stored in 6-minute granules covering 30 footprints across track by 45 lines along track. This AIRS-only version (V006) is produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and differs from the standard product to meet NRT requirements.

Use Cases

• Assimilating near-real-time infrared radiance data into numerical weather prediction models based on the three-hour latency.
• Monitoring atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles using cloud-cleared radiance measurements.
• Studying clear-sky radiative processes and energy balance based on calibrated infrared radiances.
• Analyzing spatial and temporal atmospheric variability from the 6-minute, 30x45 footprint granule structure.

Strengths

• Data is produced with a three-hour latency for near-real-time applications.
• Granules contain 6 minutes of data with a defined spatial structure of 30 footprints across track by 45 lines along track.
• Radiances are calibrated, geolocated, and processed to remove cloud effects.

Limitations

• NRT processing uses predictive rather than definitive ephemeris/attitude data and may use surface climatology, which could affect accuracy.
• No ice cloud properties retrievals are performed in the NRT product.
• Row count and total data volume are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Data collected by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) grating spectrometer aboard the EOS Aqua satellite.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-05 19:57:04.445920

Geography

Global coverage from polar orbit.