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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Gridded Satellite Data from ISCCP B1 (GridSat-B1) Infrared Channel Brightness Temperature, Version 2

Geostationary IR Channel Brightness Temperature - GridSat B1

browse graphicImage of IR window, water vapor and visible data.
The Gridded Satellite (GridSat-B1) data provides a uniform set of quality controlled geostationary satellite observations for the visible, infrared window and infrared water vapor channels. GridSat-B1 uses the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) B1 dataset providing coverage every 3 hours from 1980 to the present, and is updated quarterly as possible. The ISCCP B1 data have been quality controlled, calibrated, remapped and merged together to provide a nearly global coverage of top of the atmosphere radiances. Long-term temporal normalization is performed via calibration against HIRS channel 12 data during the period of record. The IR window channel data has received more extensive inter-satellite calibration and is thus identified as a Climate Data Record (CDR) by the NOAA CDR Program. GridSat-B1 data are projected on an equal angle grid, which facilitates the mapping and subsetting of the data. Since the ISCCP B1 native resolution is approximately 8km, the resolution of the equal area grid is 0.07 degrees latitude (approximately 8km at the Equator). The data span the globe in longitude and range from 70 degrees South to 70 degrees North latitude. GridSat version 2 differs from version 1 in the following ways: a) three channels are provided instead of just one, b) more quality control on the calibration, navigation and flagging of bad data, and c) extension of the period of record. Data are stored using netCDF-4 file format following the Climate and Forecast (CF) Conventions and the Attribute Convention for Dataset Discovery (ACDD) which facilitates usage with compatible software applications. Documentation and source code are available for the dataset.
  • Cite as: Knapp, Kenneth R.; NOAA CDR Program; (2014): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Gridded Satellite Data from ISCCP B1 (GridSat-B1) Infrared Channel Brightness Temperature, Version 2. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V59P2ZKR [access date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00829
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Distribution Formats
  • NetCDF (Version: 4)
    • File Specification: The NetCDF data files comply with the Climate and Forecast (CF) Metadata Conventions and the NetCDF Attribute Convention for Dataset Discovery (ACDD).
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
gridsat_b1_contacts@noaa.gov
Time Period 1980-01-01 to Present (time interval: 3-hour)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -70.0
North: 70.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
  • Geostationary IR Channel Brightness Temperature - GridSat B1 Source Code
    • CDR Source Code (download)
      This source code is for reference only. The source code is provided to maintain transparency of the algorithm and processes used in creating the Climate Data Record (CDR). The source code is not intended to be portable to any computer system(s) beyond that of the original CDR producer's environment.
  • CDR Data Flow Diagram
  • Climate Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (C-ATBD)
Associated Resources
  • Data Stewardship Maturity Report for NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Gridded Satellite Data from ISCCP B1 (GridSat-B1) Infrared Channel Brightness Temperature (TB), Version 2
  • Data Stewardship Maturity Report for NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Gridded Satellite Data from ISCCP B1 (GridSat-B1) Infrared Channel Brightness Temperature (TB), Version 2
  • Globally Gridded Satellite Observations for Climate Studies
    • Journal Article published July 2011 by the American Meteorological Society
      Knapp, K.R., S. Ansari, C.L. Bain, M.A. Bourassa, M.J. Dickinson, C. Funk, C.N. Helms, C.C. Hennon, C.D. Holmes, G.J. Huffman, J.P. Kossin, H. Lee, A. Loew, and G. Magnusdottir, 2011: Globally Gridded Satellite Observations for Climate Studies. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 92, 893–907, doi:10.1175/2011BAMS3039.1
  • Other publications that cite this dataset
  • NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Gridded Satellite Data from ISCCP B1 (GridSat-B1) Infrared Channel Brightness Temperature, Version 1 (Superseded)
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2014-02-26
Edition v02r01
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Quarterly
Purpose This dataset provides scientific researchers a high quality Climate Data Record (CDR) of global infrared and visible measurements from geostationary satellites. These data can be applied to studies of tropical cyclones, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), global and regional precipitation monitoring, diurnal variation and outgoing longwave radiation. The data are intended to facilitate use of Global infrared measurements from geostationary satellites by non-satellite experts and to help facilitate large-scale processing via tools designed to process CF-compliant netCDF files.
Use Limitations
  • See the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document for a description of use limitations.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Knapp, Kenneth R.; NOAA CDR Program; (2014): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Gridded Satellite Data from ISCCP B1 (GridSat-B1) Infrared Channel Brightness Temperature, Version 2. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V59P2ZKR [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Knapp, Kenneth R.
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • NOAA CDR Program
Principal Investigators
  • Knapp, Kenneth R.
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Collaborators
  • NOAA CDR Program
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 > Brightness Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Longwave Radiation
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Reflectance
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Water Vapor
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Upper-air Water Vapour
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Earth Radiation Budget
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
  • SMS > Synchronous Meteorological Satellites
  • GOES > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites
  • METEOSAT
  • MSG > Meteosat Second Generation
  • GMS > Geostationary Meteorological Satellite
  • MTSAT > Multi-functional Transport Satellite
  • INSAT > Indian National Satellite
  • FY-2 > FengYun-2
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • VISSR > Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer
  • GOES I-M IMAGER
  • GOES N-P IMAGER
  • VISSR-METEOSAT > Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer (METEOSAT Series)
  • MVIRI > Meteosat Visible Infra-Red Imager
  • VISSR-GMS > Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer (GMS Series)
  • MTSAT Imager
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
  • Geographic Region > Mid-Latitude
  • Geographic Region > Tropics
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) Program
  • NOAA OneStop Project
  • ISCCP > International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Knapp, Kenneth R.; NOAA CDR Program; (2014): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Gridded Satellite Data from ISCCP B1 (GridSat-B1) Infrared Channel Brightness Temperature, Version 2. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V59P2ZKR [access date].
  • Publications using this dataset should also reference the following journal article: Knapp, K. R., S. Ansari, C. L. Bain, M. A. Bourassa, M. J. Dickinson, C. Funk, C. N. Helms, C. C. Hennon, C. D. Holmes, G. J. Huffman, J. P. Kossin, H.-T. Lee, A. Loew, and G. Magnusdottir, 2011: Globally gridded satellite (GridSat) observations for climate studies. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 92, 893-907. doi:10.1175/2011BAMS3039.1
  • See the Use Agreement for this CDR available on the CDR dataset page.
  • 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: 2023-08-10
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