Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Global Change Observation Mission-Water (GCOM-W) Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) Raw Data Records (RDR) and Two-Line Element Files

GW1A2RTLE

The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) was launched on 18 May 2012, onboard the Global Change Observation Mission - Water (GCOM-W) satellite developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The GCOM-W mission aims to establish the global and long-term observation system to collect data, which is needed to understand mechanisms of climate and water cycle variations, and demonstrate its utilization. AMSR2 onboard the first generation of the GCOM-W satellite will continue Aqua/AMSR-E observations of water vapor, cloud liquid water, precipitation, SST, sea surface wind speed, sea ice concentration, snow depth, and soil moisture. AMSR2 is a remote sensing instrument for measuring weak microwave emission from the surface and the atmosphere of the Earth. From about 700 km above the Earth, AMSR2 will provide us highly accurate measurements of the intensity of microwave emission and scattering. The antenna of AMSR2 rotates once per 1.5 seconds and obtains data over a 1450 km swath. This conical scan mechanism enables AMSR2 to acquire a set of daytime and nighttime data with more than 99% coverage of the Earth every 2 days. Remote Sensing Systems (RSS, or REMSS), providers of these SST data for the Group for High Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (GHRSST) Project, performs a detailed processing of AMSR2 instrument data in two stages. The first stage produces a near-real-time (NRT) product (identified by "_rt_" within the file name) which is made as available as soon as possible. This is generally within 3 hours of when the data are recorded. Although suitable for many timely uses the NRT products are not intended to be archive quality. "Final" data (currently identified by "v7.2" within the file name) are processed when RSS receives the atmospheric model National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Final Analysis (FNL) Operational Global Analysis. The NCEP wind directions are particularly useful for retrieving more accurate SSTs and wind speeds. This dataset adheres to the GHRSST Data Processing Specification (GDS) version 2 format specifications.
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C01370
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01370
Full Text · XML
Order Data
Distribution Formats
  • netCDF (Version: 4)
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 2012-04-01 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -179.9
East: 180
South: -89.36
North: 89.16
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2012-04-01
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Continual
Purpose The mission of GCOM-W1 is to observe the water cycle. The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-2 (AMSR2) aboard the GCOM-W1 detects microwave signals emitted naturally from the ground, sea surface and atmosphere, using six different frequency bands ranging from 7 GHz to 89 GHz. The AMSR2 microwave observations can be used to assess precipitation, vapor amounts, wind velocity above the ocean, sea water temperature, water levels on land areas, and snow depths. This collection contains the AMSR2 Raw Data Records (RDR) which are used to develop the higher-level processed products, Sensor and Environmental Data Records (SDR and EDR). Also, included in this data collection are the GCOM-W1 Two Line Elements and Mission Notices.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors
  • US NASA; Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Speed/Wind Direction
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Rate
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Sea Surface Temperature
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NODC > National Oceanographic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • NASA/JPL/PODAAC > Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • GCOM-W1 > Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • AMSR2 > Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global Ocean
Use Constraints
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • restricted
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement These data were produced by the NOAA Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO) and are archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov