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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA JPSS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) and Aerosol Particle Size Parameter (APSP) Environmental Data Record (EDR) from IDPS

VIIRS-Aeros-EDR

browse graphicExample of global Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) EDR at 550nm overlaid on top of a true color (RGB) image.
This dataset contains a high quality operational Environmental Data Record (EDR) of Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument onboard the Suomi-NPP satellite and is produced by the NOAA Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). The algorithm that is used to derive the VIIRS AOT is based on an algorithm originally developed for the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor but is adapted and improved upon for use by VIIRS. The algorithm utilizes eleven different spectral bands ranging from 0.412 to 2.250 microns as well as the Angstrom Exponent to calculate values stored as 96 x 400 arrays of 16-bit integers with a matching scale stored in each granule. The spatial resolution is 6 kilometers (km) which is derived from an intermediate product (IP) of 8 x 8 750 meter pixels. The temporal resolution provides global coverage daily. By default, IDPS VIIRS AOT data obtained from the Comprehensive Large-Array Stewardship System (CLASS) are distributed in four 86-second granules in Hierarchical Data Format v.5 (HDF5) with metadata attributes included. It is important to note that the Aerosol Particle Size Parameter (APSP) is included in this EDR and is reported as Ångström exponent.
  • Cite as: Kondragunta, Shobha, Laszlo, Istvan, Qiu, Shuang and NOAA JPSS Program Office (2012): NOAA JPSS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) and Particle Size Parameter (APSP) Environmental Data Record (EDR) from IDPS. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [access date].
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C01402
  • gov.noaa.class:VIIRS_EDR
  • JPSS Product ID:VAOOO
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01402
Full Text · XML
Download Data
  • NOAA CLASS FTP Server (download)
    Access and download data tar files by date and product for the previous 85 days. The directory structure is as follows, date(yyyymmdd)->instrument family->product.
Order Data
Distribution Formats
  • HDF (Version: 5)
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
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
ncei.sat.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2012-05-02 to Present (time interval: 24-hour)
Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
  • JPSS STAR Science Documents
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2012-05-02
Edition Validated
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Continual
Purpose The S-NPP VIIRS aerosol products are designed for use by the climate, air quality, research, applied, private, governmental, and military communities for the purpose of research, forecasts, communication, and policy decisions.
Use Limitations
  • There is a significant decline in quality between Aerosol Particle Size Parameter (APSP) over ocean compared to over land. Using APSP over ocean is not recommended. For a complete description of use limitations for this EDR, see the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD).
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Kondragunta, Shobha, Laszlo, Istvan, Qiu, Shuang and NOAA JPSS Program Office (2012): NOAA JPSS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) and Particle Size Parameter (APSP) Environmental Data Record (EDR) from IDPS. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Kondragunta, Shobha
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR/SMCD > Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Laszlo, Istvan
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR/SMCD > Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Qiu, Shuang
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/OSPO > Office of Satellite and Product Operations, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • NOAA JPSS Program Office
Originators
  • NOAA JPSS Program Office
Principal Investigators
  • Kondragunta, Shobha
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR/SMCD > Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Laszlo, Istvan
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR/SMCD > Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Qiu, Shuang
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/OSPO > Office of Satellite and Product Operations, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness > Angstrom Exponent
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Composition - Aerosol 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
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR > Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/OSPO > Office of Satellite and Product Operations, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • SUOMI-NPP > Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • VIIRS > Visible-Infrared Imager-Radiometer Suite
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • JPSS > Joint Polar Satellite System
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 1 km - < 10 km or approximately .01 degree - < .09 degree
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Kondragunta, Shobha, Laszlo, Istvan, Qiu, Shuang and NOAA JPSS Program Office (2012): NOAA JPSS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) and Particle Size Parameter (APSP) Environmental Data Record (EDR) from IDPS. [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: dataset
Lineage Statement These data were produced by the JPSS Interface Data Processing Segment (IDPS) and are archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR > Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Processing Steps
  • For a complete description of the processing steps, see the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document and Data Flow Diagram.
  • 2012-09-01T00:00:00 - The AOT algorithm reached beta maturity status.
  • 2013-04-26T00:00:00 - The AOT algorithm reached provisional maturity status.
  • 2014-08-01T00:00:00 - The AOT algorithm reached validated maturity status.
Processing Documents
    • JPSS STAR Science Documents
Source Datasets
  • NOAA JPSS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Sensor Data Record (SDR) from IDPS
    • NCEI landing page for JPSS-VIIRS-SDR
      Source dataset landing page with general information and access links for the dataset.
    • Description of Source: VIIRS Sensor Data Record (SDR)
    • Temporal extent used: 2012-02-07 to Present
    • Spatial extent used: N:90 S:-90 E:180 W:-180
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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