AVHRR Level 1b Inventory: Satellite Data for Sea and Cloud Temperature

NOAA/TIROS-N AVHRR sensors measure visible, near-infrared, and infrared radiation across 4 or 5 spectral bands with a ground resolution of about 1.1 km at nadir. The Level 1b data product contains quality-controlled raw data with appended sensor calibration and earth location information, stored on 6250bpi tapes from NESDIS/SDSD and the University of Miami. Data is collected via HRPT (High Resolution Picture Transmission) and LAC (Local Area Coverage) modes from satellites including NOAA-6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and TirosN.

Use Cases

• Calculate sea surface temperature based on thermal infrared spectral bands.
• Analyze cloud cover and cloud top temperature using visible and infrared channels.
• Study regional climate patterns based on the +/- 55.4-degree scan field of view providing approximately 2240 km swaths.
• Compare sensor performance across different NOAA satellite generations (4-band vs. 5-band instruments).

Strengths

• Data has 10-bit precision, providing a detailed measurement range.
• Covers a wide swath of approximately 2240 km with a ground resolution of about 1.1 km at nadir.
• Includes calibration and earth location information appended to the raw radiation data.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the primary receiving stations in Virginia and Alaska.

Provenance

Source

National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Services, Satellite and Data Services Division (NESDIS/SDSD) and University of Miami Rosenstiel School.

Collection Method

Data assembled from direct transmission (HRPT) and recorded on-board (LAC) modes from TIROS-N/NOAA series satellites.

Time Range

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Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

Global coverage, with primary receiving stations at Wallops Island, Virginia and Gilmore Creek, Alaska.