SODAR: Acoustic Sounder Measurements of Atmospheric Boundary Layer

NASA's SODAR dataset maps backscattered acoustic energy to detect temperature fluctuations and thermal inversions in the lower atmosphere. The data provide estimates of the mixed layer height and inversion dimensions, collected during the 1987 FIFE field campaigns. Measurements were taken from a single, vertically pointing sounder operating at approximately 1500 Hz in the northwest quadrant of the study area.

Use Cases

• Estimating the height of the atmospheric mixed layer based on backscattered acoustic amplitude.
• Analyzing the vertical dimensions of thermal inversions within the lower kilometer of the atmosphere.
• Studying temporal oscillations in inversion top and bottom heights from time-series acoustic data.
• Validating or complementing other remote sensing measurements of boundary layer structure.

Strengths

• Data originates from a NASA-organized field campaign (FIFE), suggesting institutional rigor.
• Provides targeted measurements of a specific atmospheric phenomenon (thermal inversions) using a specialized instrument.
• Cross-platform presence (Data.gov and NASA Earthdata) indicates recognized importance and accessibility.

Limitations

• Critical metadata is missing: column names, row counts, and file sizes are unknown across all sources.
• Sources conflict on the 'last updated' date (1987 vs. 2026), creating uncertainty about data currency.
• Spatial coverage is limited to a single location within the FIFE study area.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Field measurement using a single, vertically pointing, conventional acoustic sounder (SODAR) at ~1500 Hz.

Time Range

1987 (during the first three Intensive Field Campaigns of FIFE)

Freshness

1987-08-22 23:59:59.999000

Geography

One location in the northwest quadrant of the FIFE study area.