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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS) Sensor Data Record (SDR) in netCDF

The Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS) is a series of passive microwave conically scanning imagers and sounders onboard the DMSP satellites beginning with F-16. SSMIS improves upon the surface and atmospheric retrievals of the previous Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), and upon the atmospheric temperature and water vapor sounding capabilities of both the Special Sensor Microwave Temperature Sounder (SSM/T-1) and the Special Sensor Microwave Humidity Sounder (SSM/T-2). The SSMIS imaging and sounding sensors are able to estimate atmospheric temperature, moisture, and surface parameters. This sensor data record (SDR) contains SSMIS brightness temperatures since November 2005 that have been surface tagged, calibrated, Doppler corrected, cross polarization and spill-over corrected or APC corrected according to Earth surface type, averaged along scan and along the ground track. The data have been converted to netCDF 3-hourly files.
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00797
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00797
Full Text · XML
Order Data
Distribution Formats
  • netCDF (Version: 3)
    • File Specification: NetCDF Climate and Forecast (CF) Metadata Convention (http://cf-pcmdi.llnl.gov/)
    • File Compression: http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf/docs/netcdf/
  • XML
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 Hilawe Semunegus
Physical Scientist
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 828-271-4059
hilawe.semunegus@noaa.gov
Time Period 2005-11-20 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -90
North: 90
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2009-01-14
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Continual
Purpose This SSMIS sensor data record provides valuable information on key climate parameters such as water vapor, precipitation, snow cover, sea-ice extent and land-surface temperatures.
Cited Authors
  • User Engagement and Services Branch
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • User Engagement and Services Branch
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, 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 > Spectral/Engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • DMSP 5D-2/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
  • SSMIS > Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Use Constraints
  • 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
Processing Steps
  • https://doi.org/10.1175/2009JAMC2314.1
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
  • SSMIS > Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
Platform
  • > DMSP 5D-2/F14 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F14
  • > DMSP 5D-2/F16 > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F16
Operation
  • DMSP > Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov