Airborne microwave brightness temperature observations were collected by the Goddard Space Flight Center SWESARR instrument during the NASA SnowEx 2020 campaign. The data were gathered over Grand Mesa, Colorado, from 10 to 12 February 2020. Observations were made at three frequencies (10.65, 18.7, and 36.5 GHz) at horizontal polarization with a nominal 45-degree look angle.
Use Cases
- Calibrate and validate satellite-based snow water equivalent models based on airborne microwave brightness temperature observations.
- Study the relationship between snowpack properties and microwave emission based on multi-frequency (X, K, Ka band) data.
- Develop forward models for snow radiative transfer based on brightness temperature measurements at a nominal 45-degree look angle.
- Assess sensor performance for snow monitoring applications based on data from the SWESARR instrument.
Strengths
- Data were collected during a focused NASA SnowEx campaign in February 2020.
- Observations include three distinct microwave frequencies (10.65, 18.7, and 36.5 GHz).
- Measurements were made at a specific look angle (45 degrees) and polarization (horizontal).
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Last updated 2020-02-12 23:59:59.999000; freshness should be verified.
Provenance
- Source
- Goddard Space Flight Center SWESARR instrument, NASA SnowEx 2020 campaign.
- Collection Method
- Airborne observations.
- Time Range
- 10-12 February 2020
- Geography
- Grand Mesa, Colorado