FIRE ASTEX: Ceilometer Cloud Data from Atlantic Stratocumulus Experiment

NASA's FIRE ASTEX dataset contains ceilometer measurements from a 1992 marine stratocumulus field experiment in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean. The data was collected to improve cloud parameterizations in general circulation models by linking satellite observations with higher-resolution surface and airborne data. Four intensive field-observation periods were executed between 1986 and 1992, focusing on cirrus and marine stratocumulus cloud systems.

Use Cases

• Validate satellite-derived cloud properties based on coordinated surface and airborne observations mentioned in the description
• Improve cloud life cycle modeling in GCMs based on physical process interactions described for marine stratocumulus systems
• Investigate cloud-radiation interactions using the multi-instrument approach described for the field experiments

Strengths

• Data originates from a coordinated NASA field experiment designed for model validation
• Covers four distinct intensive field-observation periods from 1986 to 1992
• Combines satellite, airborne, and surface observations as described

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Coordinated surface, airborne, and satellite observations during intensive field experiments

Time Range

Primary experiment June 1-28, 1992; related FIRE missions 1986-1992

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:47:40.204387; freshness should be verified

Geography

Eastern North Atlantic Ocean