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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 | Platform | Instrument | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MERRA-2 tavgU_2d_rad_Nx: 2d,diurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Radiation Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TUNXRAD) at GES DISC | 5.12.4 | MERRA-2 | NOT APPLICABLE | 1980-01-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.625 Decimal Degrees x 0.5 Decimal Degrees | |
| MERRA-2 tavgU_2d_slv_Nx: 2d,diurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Single-Level Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TUNXSLV) at GES DISC | 5.12.4 | MERRA-2 | NOT APPLICABLE | 1980-01-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.625 Decimal Degrees x 0.5 Decimal Degrees | |
| MetOp-A ASCAT ESDR Level 2 Ancillary Ocean Surface Fields Version 1.1 | 1.1 | MODELS, METOP-A | Computer, ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| Metop-A ASCAT Inter-Calibrated ESDR Level 2 Observed and Modeled Spatial Derivatives of Surface Wind and Wind Stress Version 1.0 | 1.0 | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Level 2 12.5-km Ocean Surface Wind Vector Climate Data Record Optimized for Coastal Ocean | 1.0 | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-01 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
12500 Meters x 12500 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Level 2 25.0 km Ocean Surface Wind Vectors | Operational/Near-Real-Time | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-03-27 to 2021-11-15 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
25000 Meters x 25000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Level 2 25-km Ocean Surface Wind Vector Climate Data Record | 1.0 | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-01 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
25 Kilometers x 25 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Level 2 Ocean Surface Wind Vectors Optimized for Coastal Ocean | Operational/Near-Real-Time | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2010-08-18 to 2021-11-15 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
12500 Meters x 12500 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Scatterometer Inter-Calibrated ESDR Level 2 Ocean Surface Equivalent Neutral Wind Vectors and Wind Stress Vectors Version 1.1 | 1.1 | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Scatterometer Inter-Calibrated ESDR Level 3 Ocean Surface Equivalent Neutral Wind Vectors and Wind Stress Version 1.0 | 1.0 | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-02 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.125 Decimal Degrees x 0.125 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-B ASCAT ESDR Level 2 Ancillary Ocean Surface Fields Version 1.1 | 1.1 | MODELS, METOP-B | Computer, ASCAT | 2013-08-01 to 2022-05-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| Metop-B ASCAT Inter-Calibrated ESDR Level 2 Observed and Modeled Spatial Derivatives of Surface Wind and Wind Stress Version 1.0 | 1.0 | METOP-B | ASCAT | 2013-08-01 to 2022-05-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-B ASCAT Level 2 25.0km Ocean Surface Wind Vectors in Full Orbit Swath | Operational/Near-Real-Time | METOP-B | ASCAT | 2012-10-29 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
25000 Meters x 25000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-B ASCAT Level 2 Ocean Surface Wind Vectors Optimized for Coastal Ocean | Operational/Near-Real-Time | METOP-B | ASCAT | 2012-10-29 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
12500 Meters x 12500 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-B ASCAT Scatterometer Inter-Calibrated ESDR Level 2 Ocean Surface Equivalent Neutral Wind Vectors and Wind Stress Vectors Version 1.1 | 1.1 | METOP-B | ASCAT | 2013-08-01 to 2022-05-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-B ASCAT Scatterometer Inter-Calibrated ESDR Level 3 Ocean Surface Equivalent Neutral Wind Vectors and Wind Stress Version 1.0 | 1.0 | METOP-B | ASCAT | 2013-08-01 to 2022-05-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.125 Decimal Degrees x 0.125 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-C ASCAT Level 2 25.0km Ocean Surface Wind Vectors in Full Orbit Swath | Operational/Near-Real-Time | METOP-C | ASCAT | 2019-10-22 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
25000 Meters x 25000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-C ASCAT Level 2 Ocean Surface Wind Vectors Optimized for Coastal Ocean | Operational/Near-Real-Time | METOP-C | ASCAT | 2019-10-22 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
12500 Meters x 12500 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| Mid-Atlantic coastal and Chesapeake Bay outflow optical measurements | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2005-03-30 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Mid-Atlantic coastal region and Monterey Bay measurements | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2005-03-30 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Mid-Atlantic coastal region measurements | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2005-03-30 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Mid-Atlantic coastal region measurements in 2005 | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2005-03-30 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Miscellaneous Autonomous Profiling Explorer (APEX) floats measurements | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2004-06-17 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Mississippi (MS) Sound optical measurements | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2005-12-13 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| MODIS Aqua Level 3 SST MID-IR 8 Day 4km Nighttime V2019.0 | 2019.0 | Aqua | MODIS | 2002-07-03 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.041 Decimal Degrees x 0.041 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
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.
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