MOS-1 Satellite Microwave Radiometer Imagery for Atmospheric and Oceanic Water Content

Microwave Scanning Radiometer (MSR) imagery from Japan's MOS-1 and MOS-1b satellites, launched in 1987. Data was collected globally from at least ten international ground stations, including sites in Japan, Europe, Australia, Canada, Thailand, and Antarctica. The imagery focuses on atmospheric water vapor over oceans and water content in sea ice and snow cover.

Use Cases

• Estimate atmospheric water vapor content over oceans using microwave frequencies in the water vapor absorption band.
• Analyze sea ice distribution and snow cover by observing water content from MSR microwave data.
• Map global data acquisition coverage using the 2710 km radius around each listed international ground station.
• Study long-term changes in oceanic and cryospheric features using imagery from the 1987-1989 operation period.

Strengths

• Data acquired from a network of at least ten international ground stations across multiple continents.
• Imagery covers a 2710 km radius around each receiving station, providing extensive regional coverage.
• Dual-satellite mission (MOS-1 and MOS-1b) with identical sensors for potential temporal continuity.

Limitations

• Data is from a historical mission (1987-1989), limiting analysis of recent climate conditions.
• Specific row counts, file sizes, and column details for the imagery are unknown.
• Data purchase is required from specific agencies (RESTEC, ESA, CCRS), which may restrict access.

Provenance

Source

Japan's Marine Observation Satellite-1 (MOS-1) and MOS 1-b missions, operated by NASDA (now JAXA).

Collection Method

Collected by the Microwave Scanning Radiometer (MSR) sensor and received at international ground stations.

Time Range

Primary operation period from 1987, with station data reception starting from dates listed (e.g., 05/20/87).

Freshness

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Geography

Global coverage from stations in Japan, Europe, Australia, Canada, Thailand, and Antarctica.