Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) "Gold" Satellite Sensor Calibrated Files

MOBY Gold Files

browse graphicMarine Optical Buoy (MOBY) "Gold" Satellite Sensor Calibrated Files
This dataset contains the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) "gold" satellite sensor calibrated files. These are TXT ASCII files. The files have Lw and Es, Lwn, or Lw (and Lwn) using Modeled KL which have been weighted by the specific satellite channels relative spectral response. The MOBY project has included only data that is good or questionable. These MOBY gold files are specific to the depth pairs used to make the measurement (Lw1(1m), Lw2(1m) and Lw7(5m).

Lw1 is the Water-Leaving Radiance calculated from LuTop and Kl1(LuTop-LuMid)
Lw2 is the Water-Leaving Radiance calculated from LuTop and Kl2(LuTop-LuBot)
Lw7 is the Water-Leaving Radiance calculated from LuMid and Kl3(LuMid-LuBot)


The time period covered by the MOBY "gold" satellite sensor calibrated dataset begins at 1997-07-29. The project is ongoing and continuous. More data is added as updates to the data record become available.

MOBY is an autonomous radiometric buoy stationed in the waters off Lanai, Hawaii. MOBY has been the primary in-water oceanic observatory for the vicarious calibration of U. S. satellite ocean color sensors since 1997. The MOBY project data set has been evaluated by NOAA, NASA, and NIST for its accuracy and precision numerous times since 1997. The MOBY measurements are calibrated with SI standards every per and post deployments to ensure the data sets continue to provide accurate and precise data. The satellite ocean color vicarious calibration community uses the data to validate the satellite measured radiance.

MOBY was designed to measure sunlight incidents both on and scattered out of the ocean. These measurements are provided in near real-time for the vicarious calibration procedures conducted by ocean color scientists. It is a NOAA-funded project that provides for the vicarious calibration of ocean color satellites such as SeaWiFS and MODIS. Currently, MOBY provides data to JPSS VIIRS and to non-NOAA agency partners, including Copernicus Sentinel 3A and 3B.
  • Cite as: NOAA MOBY Science Team (2023). Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) "Gold" Satellite Sensor Calibrated Files from October 2016 to the present. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:TBD. [access date].
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C01693
  • DSI 2078_01
Other Access
  • Contact NCEI (offlineAccess)
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Distribution Formats
  • ASCII
    • File Specification: TXT
  • PNG
  • JPG
  • GIF
Ordering InstructionsContact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
DistributorNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Service
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 301-713-3277
NODC.Services@noaa.gov
Time Period2016-10-01 to Present (time interval: 1-month)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
N: 20.50
S: 20.40
E: -157.1
W: -157.2
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2023-09-01
  • revision: 2016-10-01
Data Presentation Form Digital profile - vertical cross-section in digital form
Dataset Progress StatusOngoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Quarterly
PurposeThe satellite ocean color vicarious calibration community will use the data to validate the satellite measured radiance.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: NOAA MOBY Science Team (2023). Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) "Gold" Satellite Sensor Calibrated Files from October 2016 to the present. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:TBD. [access date].
Cited Authors
  • NOAA Center for Satellite Applications And Research (STAR) CoastWatch
  • University of Miami (UM)
  • San José State University (Moss Landing Marine Lab)
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Optics > Ocean Color
  • Earth Science Services > Data Analysis And Visualization > Calibration/Validation
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Optics
  • Oceanic - Surface - Ocean Colour
  • MLML > Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Data Center keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/CWP > CoastWatch Program, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR > Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Buoys
Instrument keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Earth Remote Sensing Instruments
  • Drifting Buoys
  • Sonobuoys
Place keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Lanai
Stratum keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Sea Surface
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: NOAA MOBY Science Team (2023). Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) "Gold" Satellite Sensor Calibrated Files from October 2016 to the present. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:TBD. [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 StatementNOAA MOBY Science Team, which includes the following organizations: DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR CoastWatch (funding, project management, data distribution, data management, and data archive); University of Miami (UM) (principal Investigator, science, analysis, instrument development, data quality, and grant management); San José State University, Moss Landing Marine Lab (instrument development, instrument operations and maintenance, data quality, data processing, and preparation); and, NIST (analysis, calibration, and standard traceability).
Processor
  • NOAA/NESDIS/STAR/SOCD CoastWatch
Processing Steps
  • The MOBY project data set has been evaluated by NOAA, NASA, and NIST for its accuracy and precision numerous times since 1997. The MOBY measurements are calibrated with SI standards every per and post deployments to ensure the data set's continued accuracy and precision. Please contact NOAA/NESDIS/STAR/SOCD CoastWatch for further information.
    Rationale: The purpose is to ensure the accuracy and precision of the data from the buoy.
Processing EnvironmentThe radiance standards for MOBY are two integrating spheres with calibrations based on standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). For irradiance, the MOBY project uses standard lamps that are routinely recalibrated at NIST. Wavelength calibrations are conducted with a series of emission lines observed from a set of low pressure lamps. Each MOBY instrument views these standards before and after its deployment to provide system responses (calibration coefficients). During each deployment, the stability of the MOBY spectrographs and internal optics are monitored using three internal reference sources. In addition, the collection optics for the instrument are cleaned and checked on a monthly basis while the buoy is deployed. As part of collaboration with NIST, annual radiometric comparisons are made at the MOBY calibration facility. NIST personnel use transfer radiometers and integrating spheres to validate (verify) the accuracy of the MOBY calibration sources.
Processing Documents
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: 2023-08-24
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