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

International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP), Raw Radiance Data (B1)

ISCCP B1

browse graphicSample infrared image from ISCCP B1: GOES-7 data from March 13, 1993.
In 1983, the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) began collecting satellite data from the international geostationary meteorological satellites as well as NOAA POES satellites around the world in an effort to characterize global cloudiness. Due to computing limitations at the time, data were subsampled to ~10 km were archived for future processing. This subsampled data is called B1 data. ISCCP B1 data are a collection of measurements from imagers on international geostationaru satellites which are sub-sampled to approximately 10 km and 3 hourly. The ISCCP B1 data are primarily composed of visible (VIS), infrared water vapor (IRWVP) and infrared window (IRWIN) channels (roughly 0.6um, 6.7um and 11um, respectively). The visible and infrared channels are window channels that are more sensitive to the surface than the atmosphere which helps discriminate clouds from clear sky [2]. Conversely, the water vapor channel is mostly opaque and as such, is not used in the ISCCP cloud mask algorithm.
  • Also cite this scientific paper when used as a source: Knapp, K. R., 2008: Scientific data stewardship of International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project B1 global geostationary observations. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 2, 023548
  • NCEI DSI 3645_01
  • NCEI DSI 3645_02
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00576
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00576
Search Data
Distribution Formats
  • Binary
    • File Specification: Data are stored in dozens of separate formats, which depend on the data provider (who often changed the format as well).
  • 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 1978-01-01 to Present (time interval: 3-hour)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
Associated Resources
  • ISCCP Cloud Data Products
    • ISCCP Cloud Data Products
      W.B. Rossow, R.A. Schiffer (1991): ISCCP Cloud Data Products. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Volume 72 No. 1 pp2-20.
  • International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) B1 Uniform (B1U) Dataset
    • ISCCP B1U Landing Page
      The B1U dataset takes the disparate formats submitted as B1 and creates a uniform/standard way of accessing the data.
  • ISCCP Global Radiance Data Set: A New Resource for Climate Research
  • The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP): The First Project of the World Climate Research Programme
Publication Dates
  • publication: 1983
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Continual
Supplemental Information
Other supplementary data are included in the archive for this data collection:
(1) B2 - These are the source data files for the ISCCP products. Unfortunately, most providers sent B2 data directly to NASA for ISCCP processing. The archive contains very little of the B2 data used to derive the ISCCP B3 data.
(2) BT - Calibration tables used to convert counts reported in B3 data to temperature/reflectance.
Purpose ISCCP B1 data are a unique collection of global geostationary data. This extended period of record enables researchers both now and into the future access to a high quality merged dataset for understanding cloud dynamics.
Use Limitations
  • Coverage over the poles is limited.
  • Each originating agency providing B1 data has a unique binary file format. These B1 data are the source for two other important datasets that attempt to normalize the binary format: (1) GridSat B1 - a gridded version of the data, where the data have been calibrated, reprojected and normalized. (2) ISCCP B1U - This is a mere reformatting of the raw B1 data described here.
Dataset Citation
  • Also cite this scientific paper when used as a source: Knapp, K. R., 2008: Scientific data stewardship of International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project B1 global geostationary observations. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 2, 023548
Cited Authors
  • Ken Knapp
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • William Rossow
    NASA/GISS
  • Hilawe Semunegus
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Bill Hankins
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • EUMETSAT > European Meteorological Satellite Organisation
  • JP/JMA > Japan Meteorological Agency, Japan
Originators
  • Hilawe Semunegus
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Bill Hankins
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • EUMETSAT > European Meteorological Satellite Organisation
  • JP/JMA > Japan Meteorological Agency, Japan
Principal Investigators
  • William Rossow
    NASA/GISS
Collaborators
  • Ken Knapp
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
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 > Spectral/Engineering > Infrared Wavelengths > Infrared Radiance
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Cloud Properties
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic 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/GSFC > Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite)
  • GOES-1 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 1
  • GOES-2 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 2
  • GOES-3 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 3
  • GOES-4 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 4
  • GOES-5 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 5
  • GOES-6 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 6
  • GOES-7 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 7
  • GOES-8 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 8
  • GOES-9 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 9
  • GOES-10 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 10
  • GOES-11 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 11
  • GOES-12 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 12
  • GOES-14 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 14
  • GOES-15 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 15
  • GOES-16 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 16
  • GOES-17 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 17
  • GMS-1 > Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-1
  • GMS-2 > Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-2
  • GMS-3 > Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-3
  • GMS-4 > Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-4
  • GMS-5 > Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-5
  • GMS > Japan Geostationary Meteorological Satellite
  • MTSAT-1R > Multi-functional Transport Satellite 1 Replacement
  • SMS-1 > Synchronous Meteorological Satellite 1
  • SMS-2 > Synchronous Meteorological Satellite 2
  • METEOSAT-1
  • METEOSAT-2
  • METEOSAT-3
  • METEOSAT-4 > Meteosat Operational Programme 1 (MOP-1)
  • METEOSAT-5 > Meteosat Operational Programme 2 (MOP-2)
  • METEOSAT-6 > Meteosat Operational Programme 3 (MOP-3)
  • METEOSAT-7
  • METEOSAT-8
  • METEOSAT-9
  • FY-1 > China's Meteorological Satellite-1
  • FY-2 > China's Meteorological Satellite-2
  • FY (Feng-Yun)
  • METEOSAT
  • MSG > Meteosat Second Generation
  • Himawari-8 > Japan's Himawari Meteorological Satellite 8
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Imaging Spectrometers/Radiometers
  • Passive Remote Sensing
  • AVHRR > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
  • AVHRR-2 > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer-2
  • AVHRR-3 > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer-3
  • Earth Remote Sensing Instruments
  • Spectrometers/Radiometers
  • ABI > Advanced Baseline Imager
  • VAS > VISSR Atmospheric Sounder
  • VISSR > Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer
  • GOES I-M Imager
  • GOES N-P Imager
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • ISCCP > International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 10 km - < 50 km or approximately .09 degree - < .5 degree
  • 1 km - < 10 km or approximately .01 degree - < .09 degree
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Stratosphere
Use Constraints
  • Knapp, K. R., W. Rossow, H. Semunegus, W. Hankins, EUMETSAT and JMA (2020): International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) [B1]. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [Access Date].
  • Also cite this scientific paper when used as a source: Knapp, K. R., 2008: Scientific data stewardship of International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project B1 global geostationary observations. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 2, 023548
  • 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
  • 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 ISCCP was initially envisioned as a 5-year project but has now continued for more than 25 years. A federation of data providers (termed Satellite Processing Centers, SPCs), including the United States, Europe (EUMETSAT), Japan, Canada, China, and others supply raw satellite data to the ISCCP Central Archive (NOAA's Data Archive--or NCEI) and the ISCCP Global Processing Center (GPC) for processing into the ISCCP products. Each SPC subsamples full resolution geostationary data to roughly 10 km and 3 hours, thereby creating so-called B1 data. The B1 data have been archived at NOAA but were rarely accessed and suffered some data atrophy as a result. Due to the relatively large volume of the B1 data, the GPC processed B3 data, which are a subset of the full resolution data to 30 km.
Processing Steps
  • Data were collected by Global ISCCP Satellite Processing Centers (SPCs) and submitted to the ISCCP Central Archive (now NCEI) for long-term storage.
Processing Environment Variable. The data were created by numerous satellite processing centers. Each center used its own system to convert full resolution satellite data to the reduced resolution B1 data. Thus the B1 data in the archive are stored in dozens of different formats.
Processing Documents
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.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • Imaging Spectrometers/Radiometers
  • Passive Remote Sensing
  • AVHRR > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
  • AVHRR-2 > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer-2
  • AVHRR-3 > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer-3
  • Earth Remote Sensing Instruments
  • Spectrometers/Radiometers
Platform
  • GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite)
  • GMS & Japan Geostationary Meteorological Satellite
  • SMS & Synchronous Meteorological Satellite
  • METEOSAT
  • FY (Feng-Yun)
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov