FIRE ASTEX SOFIA: Meteorological Data for Atlantic Ocean Energy Transfer Study

The First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) SOFIA data was collected by NASA and French research groups in June 1992. It contains meteorological measurements from the eastern North Atlantic Ocean to study energy transfer between the sea surface and the atmospheric boundary layer. The dataset was designed to validate satellite integrations of heat, humidity, and momentum fluxes.

Use Cases

• Validate satellite-derived flux estimates based on the nested-box measurement strategy described.
• Model energy transfer (heat, humidity, momentum) between the ocean and atmosphere based on the program's scientific objective.
• Study marine stratocumulus cloud life cycles and radiative properties based on the FIRE program goals.
• Investigate mesoscale structures causing spatial flux inhomogeneity based on the validation concept mentioned.

Strengths

• Data originates from a coordinated international field experiment involving NASA and multiple French research institutions.
• Designed for a specific scientific objective: understanding and validating energy flux integration at scales from local to mesoscale (50 km).
• Combined satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies, as described in the FIRE program.

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), which may require specific tools for access and processing.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and French research groups (CRPE, LA, CMM, IFREMER, Service d'Aeronomie, LMD, CNRM).

Collection Method

Coordinated field observations combining satellite, airborne, and surface measurements during the ASTEX intensive field-observation period.

Time Range

Primary data collection occurred during the second marine stratocumulus IFO from June 1 to June 28, 1992.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:47:12.394967; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Eastern North Atlantic Ocean.