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Ocean Data Access and Tools
NASA data span the geophysical parameters that characterize the global ocean and the physical processes operating within its depths and at its surface. Our datasets and tools help researchers translate these interconnected data points into actionable knowledge.
Ocean Datasets
| Dataset Sort descending | Version | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PICO Mooring data for the SPURS-1 N. Atlantic field campaign | 1.0 | Mooring | CTD, MMS | 2012-09-14 to 2013-09-30 |
N: 25 S: 24 E: -27 W: -38 |
1 Meters x 1 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| PICOLO (Production Induite en Zone de Convergence par les Ondes Longues Oceaniques) Program | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 1997-11-17 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Pigment measurements from 1989 and 1990 in the Gulf of St Lawrence | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 1989-09-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| PISTON 2018 Research Vessel (RV) Thompson ship datasets of ocean, atmosphere, and air-sea interaction | 1 | R/V Thompson | SEA-POL, CTD, ADCP, CHAM, SO, ROSR, W-Band Radar, CEILOMETERS, RADIOMETERS, RAWINSONDES, DISDROMETERS, GPS, Hemisphere VS1000, Gill WindMaster Pro, Vaisala HMT330, ORG-815-DA, Vaisala PTB330, NOAA PSL Sea Snake, SBE-21, Riegl LD90-3100VHS-FLP, Eppley PIR, Vaisala HMT337 | 2018-08-18 to 2018-10-13 | netCDF-4, Text File, TAR | ||
| PISTON 2018-2019 Autonomous Platform Ocean Datasets | 1 | MOORINGS, OCEAN PLATFORMS | NOAA PROFILER, SOLO-II | 2018-08-23 to 2018-11-09 | NetCDF-4 | ||
| PISTON 2019 Research Vessel (RV) Sally Ride Data | 1 | R/V Sally Ride | CTD, ADCP, SEA-POL, CHAM, SO, ROSR, HSRL, W-Band Radar, CEILOMETERS, RAWINSONDES, DISDROMETERS, LIDAR, GPS, Hemisphere VS1000, Gill WindMaster Pro, Vaisala HMT337, Vaisala HMT330, ORG-815-DA, Vaisala PTB330, NOAA PSL Sea Snake, SBE-21, Riegl LD90-3100VHS-FLP, Eppley PIR | 2019-08-31 to 2019-09-26 | NetCDF-4, TAR, Text File | ||
| Plumes and Blooms | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 1996-08-09 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Polarimetric Validation of the PACE Observatory | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2023-12-31 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| POLARIS Analysis Model Data | 1 | NASA ER-2, Data Analysis | 1997-01-06 to 1997-09-26 | AMES | |||
| POLARIS ER-2 Aircraft In-situ Trace Gas Data | 1 | NASA ER-2 | Harvard CO2, AWAS, ACATS, HOx, ATLAS, CLONO2, SLS, NOAA O3 Classic, ALIAS | 1997-01-06 to 1997-09-26 | AMES |
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Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Platform
SWOT provides detailed surface topography and monitors water body changes over time. The platform enables high-resolution ocean monitoring at 15-150 km spatial scales, tracking ocean currents, coastal dynamics, storm surges, and regional sea level changes. On land, SWOT measures water storage changes in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and wetlands, supporting river discharge estimates for water resource assessment.
Researchers explore using SWOT data to derive two-dimensional estimates of sea ice thickness.
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Swath Visualizer provides a visualization of two instruments’ coverage of Earth's surface: the Ka-band Radar Interferometer and altimeter.
SWOT presents opportunities and challenges in characterizing sea surface height anomalies.
Ocean Data Tools
| Tool Sort descending | Description | Services | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SeaDAS | Sea, earth, atmosphere Data Analysis System (SeaDAS) is a comprehensive image analysis package for the processing, display, analysis, and quality control of ocean color data. | Analysis, Visualization, Processing | |
| SOTO | State of the Ocean (SOTO) is an interactive web-based tool that generates informative maps, animations, and plots that communicate and prove the discovery and analysis of the state of the oceans. | Analysis, Search and Discovery, Visualization | |
| STREAM | STREAM is a rapid water quality monitoring tool that processes satellite imagery to create maps showing chlorophyll-a, Total Suspended Solids, and water clarity at 20-30 meter resolution. | Processing | |
| SWOT Swath Visualizer | The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Swath Visualizer provides a visualization of two instruments’ coverage of Earth's surface: the Ka-band Radar Interferometer and altimeter. | Analysis, Data Curation, Visualization | |
| Worldview | Worldview offers the capability to interactively browse over 1,200 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. | Analysis, Search and Discovery, Visualization, Access, Comparison, Monitoring Natural Events |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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