PACE HARP2 Level-3: Global Cloud Optical Properties from Polarimetric Satellite Data

Near real-time cloud optical properties derived from the GISS Polarimetric Cloud algorithm applied to PACE HARP2 satellite data. The Ocean Biology DAAC produces these products using the best-available ancillary meteorological and ozone data. The dataset includes core geophysical variables such as cloud droplet effective radius and variance retrieved from cloud bow and rainbow Fourier transform techniques.

Use Cases

• Analyze global cloud droplet size distributions based on cloud_bow_droplet_effective_radius and variance retrievals.
• Study cloud composition and phase based on the cloud_liquid_index and mode fraction variables.
• Validate and refine polarimetric cloud retrieval algorithms using the experimental diagnostic variables included in the suite.
• Monitor near real-time cloud properties for climate and weather model assimilation.

Strengths

• Provides novel polarimetric retrievals of cloud properties on a global scale.
• Includes specific diagnostic variables like cloud_bow_fit_correlation and cloud_bow_rms for algorithm assessment.
• Offers near real-time data products for timely analysis.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• The inputs and calibration used for the near real-time products are described as 'less than optimal'.
• Several experimental variables are included and may change in future versions.

Provenance

Source

NASA Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD)

Collection Method

Derived from the GISS Polarimetric Cloud (GPC) algorithm applied to PACE HARP2 satellite observations.

Freshness

Near real-time

Geography

Global