Global Ice Cloud Optical Thickness Binned Statistics from GCOM-C Satellite

Eight-day binned statistics of ice cloud optical thickness derived from the SGLI sensor on the JAXA GCOM-C satellite, launched in December 2017. The product provides spatially aggregated data at a 1/12-degree resolution with EQA projection, including statistical measures like average, root-mean-square, and maximum/minimum values. It is produced by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to support global climate system observations.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in ice cloud optical thickness (AVE, MAX, MIN) to study cloud-climate feedback mechanisms.
• Validate climate model simulations of cloud properties using spatially binned statistics (RMS, Ninput) at 1/12-degree resolution.
• Assess data quality and coverage for specific regions using the QA_flag and Nused columns over 8-day periods.
• Investigate spatial patterns of cloud optical properties by mapping the AVE statistic across the global EQA-projected grid.

Strengths

• Provides multiple statistical measures per grid cell, including AVE, RMS, MAX, MIN, Ninput, and Nused.
• Offers global coverage with a consistent spatial resolution of 1/12 degree.
• Data is part of a long-term observation mission from a satellite launched in 2017, supporting temporal analysis.

Limitations

• Specific row count and total file size are not provided, making it difficult to assess the dataset's volume.
• The description does not specify the exact temporal coverage or date range of the available data records.
• Relies on satellite sensor data which can be affected by atmospheric conditions and orbital constraints.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) GCOM-C satellite with the SGLI sensor.

Collection Method

Derived from Level 1B and Level 2 products by statistical processing (binning) in time and space domains.

Time Range

Satellite launched December 23, 2017; specific data coverage dates are not provided.

Freshness

Statistical periods are available for 1 day, 8 days, and 1 month; update frequency is not specified.

Geography

Global coverage with EQA (Equatorial) projection.