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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

BASE Temperature Data Record (TDR) from the SSM/I and SSMIS Sensors, CSU Version 1

browse graphicAn orbit of 19.35 GHz horizontally-polarized (channel 12) antenna temperature from SSMIS on F17.
The BASE Temperature Data Record (TDR) dataset from Colorado State University (CSU) is a collection of the raw unprocessed antenna temperature data that has been written into single orbit granules and reformatted into netCDF-4. The temperature data are from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) and Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS) series of passive microwave radiometers carried onboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites. This dataset encompasses data from a total of nine satellites including the SSM/I sensors on board DMSP satellites F08, F10, F11, F13, F14, and F15 as well as the SSMIS sensors on board DMSP satellites F16, F17, and F18. The data record covers the time period from July 1987 through the present with a 7 to 10 day latency. The spatial and temporal resolutions of the BASE files correspond to the original resolution of the raw source TDR observations. There are roughly 15 orbits per day with a swath width of approximately 1400 km resulting in nearly global daily coverage. The spatial resolution of the data is a function of the sensor/channel and varies from approximately ~50 km for the lowest frequency channels to ~15km for the high-frequency channels. These files contain all of the information from the original source TDR files with the following changes/additions. The BASE files have been reorganized into single orbit granules with duplicate scans removed, and spacecraft position and velocity based on the TLE (two line element) data have been added for calculating geolocation. With the exception of duplicate scans, none of data from the original TDR files was changed or removed. This BASE TDR dataset is used by CSU as input for the subsequent processing of the final intercalibrated Fundamental Climate Data Record (FCDR). The file format is netCDF-4 with added metadata that follow the Climate and Forecast (CF) Conventions and Attribute Convention for Dataset Discovery (ACDD).
  • Cite as: Kummerow, C., W. Berg, M. Sapiano, J. Horsman, D. McKague, and NOAA CDR Program (2013): BASE Temperature Data Record (TDR) from the SSM/I and SSMIS Sensors, CSU Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [access date].
  • NCEI DSI 3610_01
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00788
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00788
Search Data
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • netCDF-4 (Version: 4)
    • File Specification: NetCDF Climate and Forecast (CF) Metadata Convention (http://cf-pcmdi.llnl.gov/)
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 NOAA Climate Data Record Program Office
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 (828) 271-4800
csu_ssmis_contacts@noaa.gov
Coverage Description
Time Period 1987-07-09 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2013-08-22
Edition Version 1
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Daily
Purpose This BASE TDR dataset preserves the long-term original TDR record in an easy to read self-describing format that simplifies subsequent re-use and data processing.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Kummerow, C., W. Berg, M. Sapiano, J. Horsman, D. McKague, and NOAA CDR Program (2013): BASE Temperature Data Record (TDR) from the SSM/I and SSMIS Sensors, CSU Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [access date].
Cited Authors
  • COLOSTATE/ATMOS > Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Colorado State University
Originators
  • COLOSTATE/ATMOS > Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Colorado State University
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Microwave > Antenna Temperature
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
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • DMSP 5D-2/F8 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F8
  • DMSP 5D-2/F10 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F10
  • DMSP 5D-2/F11 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F11
  • DMSP 5D-2/F13 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F13
  • DMSP 5D-2/F14 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F14
  • DMSP 5D-3/F15 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F15
  • DMSP 5D-3/F16 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F16
  • DMSP 5D-3/F17 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F17
  • DMSP 5D-3/F18 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F18
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Spectrometers/Radiometers > Imaging Spectrometers/Radiometers > SSM/I > Special Sensor Microwave/Imager
  • Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Spectrometers/Radiometers > Imaging Spectrometers/Radiometers > SSMIS > Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 10 km - < 50 km or approximately .09 degree - < .5 degree
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Kummerow, C., W. Berg, M. Sapiano, J. Horsman, D. McKague, and NOAA CDR Program (2013): BASE Temperature Data Record (TDR) from the SSM/I and SSMIS Sensors, CSU Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [access date].
  • 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: 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
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