Source/sensor: ERS-2/ATSR-2

Coverage: April-June 1997, v310, global

Coverage: July 21, 22, 23 and 25 1996, v343, global

Coverage: January 28, 29 and 30 1999, v343, global

Abstract: Gridded brightness temperatures from the Along-Track Scanning Radiometer-2 (ATSR-2) on-board the European Remote Sensing Satellites 2 (ERS-2) are available in 512 x 512 gridded arrays at a 1 kilometer resolution. Brightness temperatures are available for the 3.7um, 11um, and 12um channels in the infrared range at both nadir and forward view geometries. A near-infrared channel is also available at 1.6um. The first ATSR instrument (ATSR-1) was launched on board the ERS-1 satellite in July 1991 as part of the European Space Agency (ESA) Earth Observation Programme. ATSR-2 on board ESA's ERS-2 spacecraft is an enhanced version of ATSR-1 and is equipped with additional "visible" channels for vegetation monitoring. The data from these radiometers is useful for scientific studies of the land surface, atmosphere, clouds, and oceans. This information is taken directly from the Rutherford Appleton Page at: "http://www.atsr.rl.ac.uk/atsr/index.shtml". The objective of the ATSR project was to implement a self-calibrating, infrared sensing radiometer that has dual-view capability. The same scene is viewed twice at both a nadir and forward view geometry. This dual-view capability allows for the estimation and correction of atmospheric effects which are not possible with the single view geometry of the Advanced Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). This dual-view capability along with the self-calibration creates an accurate measurement of surface temperatures that can be used for climate studies.

Data Set Volume: 8 GB

Smallest order: Approximately 11.5 MB