N: 61 S: -61 E: 180 W: -180
Description
This dataset contains the multi-sourced microwave radiometer wind speed, rain and cloud liquid water data collocated to RapidScat Level 2B wind vector cell (WVC) locations. The corresponding NASA mission is officially referred to as ISS-RapidScat. This dataset is produced by Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) with direct funding from the JPL RapidScat project. All of the collocated radiometer data is produced by RSS. The co-located radiometer sources include: 1) DMSP SSM/I (F15) and SSMIS (F16/F17), 2) Coriolis WindSat, 3) GCOM-W1 AMSR2 and 4) GPM Core GMI; more details on these radiometer sources and sensors can be extracted by scrolling down to the "Platform/Sensor" section below this description. RapidScat is a Ku-band dual beam circular rotating scatterometer retaining much of the same hardware and functionality of QuikSCAT, with exception of the antenna sub-system and digital interface to the International Space Station (ISS) Columbus module, which is where RapidScat is mounted. Unlike QuikSCAT, ISS-RapidScat is not in sun-synchronous orbit, and flies at roughly half the altitude with a low inclination angle that restricts data coverage to the tropics and mid-latitude regions; the extent of latitudinal coverage stretches from approximately 61 degrees North to 61 degrees South. Furthermore, there is no consistent local time of day retrieval. This dataset is provided in a netCDF-4 file format that follows the netCDF "classic" model and made available via FTP and OPeNDAP. For data access, please click on the "Data Access" tab above.
Product Summary
Citation
Citation is critically important for dataset documentation and discovery. This dataset is openly shared, without restriction, in accordance with the EOSDIS Data Use and Citation Guidance.
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Variables
The table below lists the variables contained within a single granule for this dataset. Variables often contain observed or derived geophysical measurements collected from a variety of sources, including remote sensing instruments on satellite and airborne platforms, field campaigns, in situ measurements, and model outputs. The terms variable, parameter, scientific data set, layer, and band have been used across NASA’s Earth science disciplines; however, variable is the designated nomenclature in NASA’s Common Metadata Repository (CMR). Variable metadata attributes such as Name, Description, Units, Data Type, Fill Value, Valid Range, and Scale Factor allow users to efficiently process and analyze the data. The full range of attributes may not be applicable to all variables. Additional information on variable attributes is typically available in the data, user guide, and/or other product documentation.
For questions on a specific variable, please use the Earthdata Forum.
| Name Sort descending | Description | Units | Data Type | Fill Value | Valid Range | Scale Factor | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| lat | RapidScat latitude | degree_north | float | -999 | -90 to 90 | 1 | N/A |
| lon | RapidScat longitude | degree_east | float | -999 | 0 to 360 | 1 | N/A |
| rad_cloud | Radiometer total cloud liquid water content | mm | float | -999 | -0.05 to 2.45 | 1 | N/A |
| rad_rain | Radiometer rain rate | mm hr-1 | float | -999 | 0 to 25 | 1 | N/A |
| rad_speed | Radiometer wind speed | m s-1 | float | -999 | 0 to 50 | 1 | N/A |
| sat_id | Radiometer satellite id | N/A | byte | 0 | 1 to 127 | 1 | N/A |
| time | RapidScat date and time | seconds since 1999-1-1 0:0:0 | double | N/A | N/A | 1 | N/A |
| time_diff | RapidScat - Radiometer observation time difference | minutes | short | -999 | -180 to 180 | 1 | N/A |