LIMSN7L1RAT: Nimbus-7 Limb Infrared Radiance Data from 1978-1979

LIMS/Nimbus-7 Level 1 Radiance Data contains calibrated, earth-located radiance measurements from the Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere instrument. The data includes radiances measured day and night in six spectral bands (6.2, 6.3, 9.6, 11.3, and two at 15 micrometers) for each orbit, with near-global coverage between -64 and +84 degrees latitude and vertical coverage from about 10 to 50 km. The data was produced by principal investigators Dr. James M. Russell, III and Dr. John Gille and is available from 25 October 1978 through 30 May 1979.

Use Cases

• Analyzing stratospheric radiance profiles based on calibrated limb radiance measurements.
• Studying instrument performance and data quality based on included housekeeping and status information.
• Comparing day-night radiance variations based on measurements taken in both conditions.
• Mapping near-global atmospheric limb radiance based on spatial coverage between -64 and +84 degrees latitude.
• Investigating vertical atmospheric structure based on data from about 10 to 50 km altitude.

Strengths

• Data covers a specific historical period from 25 October 1978 to 30 May 1979.
• Provides near-global spatial coverage between latitude -64 and +84 degrees.
• Includes vertical profiles with coverage from about 10 to 50 km and resolution of about 1.5 km.
• Contains radiances measured in six distinct spectral bands.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Radiances are not corrected for instrument effects such as field-of-view, electronic delay, and spacecraft motion.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by the Nimbus-7 Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere (LIMS) instrument.

Time Range

25 October 1978 through 30 May 1979

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 01:09:25.367666; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Near global between latitude -64 and +84 degrees.