CERES Daily Global Cloud, Aerosol, and Radiative Flux Data

Global satellite data provides daily, 1-degree resolution measurements of top-of-atmosphere, within-atmosphere, and surface radiative fluxes alongside cloud and aerosol properties. The dataset synthesizes observations from multiple CERES instruments on Terra, Aqua, and NOAA-20 satellites with geostationary imager data, normalized to the CERES calibration standard. It is produced by NASA's Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center (LARC ASDC) and is an ongoing collection.

Use Cases

• Analyzing the global Earth energy budget using columns for all-sky and clear-sky longwave, shortwave, and window region fluxes.
• Studying cloud radiative forcing by comparing cloud properties like cloud fraction, optical depth, and top temperature with computed surface and atmospheric fluxes.
• Investigating aerosol impacts on radiation by utilizing parameters for pristine (clear-sky without aerosols) and all-sky without aerosol conditions.
• Validating climate model output against observed, temporally interpolated top-of-atmosphere fluxes and imager-derived cloud properties.
• Examining diurnal cycles of radiation and clouds in specific regions using the 1-hourly geostationary data integrated into the daily product.

Strengths

• Data is calibrated across multiple satellite platforms (Terra, Aqua, NOAA-20) and geostationary imagers to maintain a consistent CERES standard.
• Provides computed fluxes for four distinct atmospheric conditions (all-sky, clear-sky, pristine, all-sky without aerosols) using the Langley Fu-Liou radiative transfer model.
• Offers a long-term, ongoing record with daily temporal resolution and global 1-degree spatial coverage.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and total dataset size are not provided by any source, limiting precise technical assessment.
• Not all instrument platforms (e.g., CERES FM1-6, MODIS, VIIRS) are available for every data month, creating temporal gaps in the multi-sensor record.

Provenance

Source

NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center (LARC ASDC)

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data from CERES, MODIS, VIIRS, and geostationary imagers, processed with the Langley Fu-Liou radiative transfer model using GMAO atmospheric profiles.

Time Range

Ongoing collection; specific start date not provided.

Freshness

2026-03-13 08:02:09.308988

Geography

Global coverage at 1-degree regional spatial scales.