PACE OCI Level-2: Near Real-time Aerosol Index Data from Unified Aerosol Algorithm

Near real-time (NRT) data products provide a snapshot of atmospheric conditions within a single satellite orbit. The dataset contains the Ultraviolet Absorbing Aerosol Index (UVAI) and related reflectance variables, produced by NASA's Ocean Biology DAAC using the Unified Aerosol Algorithm. These unitless indices are semi-quantitative indicators of light-absorbing aerosols like smoke and mineral dust.

Use Cases

• Detecting and tracking smoke and dust plumes based on the positive UVAI values described.
• Providing aerosol context for atmospheric correction in ocean-color studies as mentioned in the description.
• Supporting air-quality and climate analyses using the near-UV aerosol index and reflectance variables.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time (NRT) data for timely analysis of atmospheric events.
• Includes core geophysical variables like NUV_AerosolIndex, NUV_Reflectivity, and NUV_Residue as listed in the description.
• Algorithm is sensitive to aerosol amount, altitude, and absorption strength as described.

Limitations

• The description notes inputs and calibration are 'less than optimal' for NRT products.
• Row count, file size, and column-level documentation are unknown.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

NASA Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD).

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data from the PACE OCI instrument, processed with the Unified Aerosol Algorithm.

Freshness

Near real-time (NRT), providing data from a short time period within a single orbit.

Geography

Regional coverage (implied by 'Regional' in title), likely global from satellite observations.