THIRN7L1BCLT: Nimbus-7 Satellite Cloud Radiance Data

Global satellite data from the Nimbus-7 THIR instrument provides cloud information from October 31, 1978, to October 27, 1984. The dataset contains total cloud amounts, radiances at three altitude levels, and identifies cirrus and deep convective clouds. Data are averaged onto instrument footprints that vary from 50 km at nadir to 200 km at the edges.

Use Cases

• Analyzing historical cloud cover trends based on total cloud amounts and altitude-specific radiances.
• Validating climate models using global, orbit-averaged cloud data from a six-year period.
• Studying specific cloud types like cirrus and deep convective clouds for atmospheric research.
• Comparing cloud estimation algorithms using the improved BCLT product versus earlier versions.

Strengths

• Provides a six-year global time series from a specific satellite mission (1978-1984).
• Contains improved cloud estimation (BCLT product) compared to earlier versions.
• Offers data at multiple cloud altitude layers and for specific cloud types.

Limitations

• Column names and exact data structure are not specified in the available metadata.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates between platforms (1984 vs. 2026) create provenance uncertainty.
• Spatial resolution is coarse, with footprints ranging from 50 km to 200 km.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Nimbus-7 satellite.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing via the Temperature-Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR).

Time Range

October 31, 1978 to October 27, 1984

Freshness

2026-04-09 21:32:54.032624 (from datagov, though this may reflect metadata refresh)

Geography

Global