FIRE ASTEX: Ceilometer Cloud Data from the Atlantic Stratocumulus Experiment

Ceilometer data from the First ISCCP Regional Experiment Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX). The dataset was collected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration during an intensive field-observation period from June 1 to June 28, 1992, in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean. It was designed to improve understanding of marine stratocumulus cloud systems and their parameterizations in climate models.

Use Cases

• Validate satellite-derived cloud properties based on coordinated surface observations mentioned in the description
• Study the life cycle and radiative properties of marine stratocumulus clouds based on the experiment's stated goals
• Improve cloud parameterizations in climate models based on the dataset's intended purpose for general circulation models

Strengths

• Data originates from a coordinated, multi-platform intensive field observation (IFO) period
• Dataset is associated with a specific, well-documented scientific mission (ASTEX, June 1992)
• Managed by a authoritative organization (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

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 to access

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Coordinated surface observations (ceilometer) combined with satellite and airborne data during an intensive field campaign.

Time Range

June 1 to June 28, 1992

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:54:13.660067; freshness should be verified

Geography

Eastern North Atlantic Ocean