MNF Underway Data: Marine and Atmospheric Measurements

Processed Underway (UWY) data from Marine National Facility voyages provides continuous, quality-controlled measurements from research vessels. The dataset includes navigation, thermosalinograph, and atmospheric data recorded at 5-second intervals. These data are supplied to the Australian Ocean Data Network and used for satellite sea surface temperature validation.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) using quality-controlled radiometer/SST measurements.
• Analyzing oceanographic transects using navigation data paired with thermosalinograph readings like salinity and fluorescence.
• Studying marine meteorology using atmospheric variables such as wind speed/direction, air pressure, and solar radiation.
• Calibrating shipboard sensors by comparing port and starboard instrument readings for trace gases and ozone.

Strengths

• Data is quality-controlled and archived by CSIRO's National Collections and Marine Infrastructure Information and Data Centre.
• Measurements are recorded at a high temporal resolution of 5-second intervals.
• Data is supplied to global repositories like IMOS AODN, indicating a level of standardization and trust.

Limitations

• Metadata completeness is low: column names, row counts, size, license, and author information are not provided.
• Not all variables are quality controlled; users must check for existing QC flags.
• The dataset's temporal and geographic coverage for specific voyages is not specified.

Provenance

Source

Collected from Marine National Facility (MNF) voyages on research vessels RV Investigator and RV Linnaeus.

Collection Method

Continuously recorded underway data from shipboard navigation, thermosalinograph, and atmospheric instruments.

Freshness

Last updated on 2026-06-23 according to the most recent platform entry.

Geography

Marine routes covered by MNF voyages, specific regions not stated.