FIRE ASTEX: ERS-1 Satellite Altimeter Data for Atlantic Cloud Studies

ERS-1 satellite altimeter data collected during the 1992 Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX). This dataset is part of NASA's FIRE project, which conducted four intensive field campaigns between 1986 and 1992 to study cirrus and marine stratocumulus cloud systems. The data aims to improve cloud and radiation models used in global climate simulations.

Use Cases

• Validate satellite-derived ocean surface wind and wave measurements based on coordinated airborne and surface observations mentioned in the description
• Study the life cycles of marine stratocumulus cloud systems based on the project's stated goal
• Investigate relationships between cloud physical processes and radiative properties as described in the FIRE objectives
• Improve data products for general circulation models (GCMs) based on the experiment's primary design purpose

Strengths

• Data originates from a coordinated NASA field experiment combining satellite, airborne, and surface observations
• Part of a multi-year project with four intensive field campaigns executed between 1986 and 1992
• Platform tags indicate specific measured variables: atmospheric winds, ocean winds, wave height, and wind waves

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Data files are in specialized formats (BIN, TAR, ISO) that may require specific tools for processing

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected by the ERS-1 satellite altimeter during the June 1992 Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) field campaign.

Time Range

Primary data collection during the June 1-28, 1992 ASTEX campaign; project spanned from 1986 to 1992.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:55:39.485187; freshness should be verified

Geography

Eastern North Atlantic Ocean, specifically the region of the ASTEX campaign.