The Polar Pathfinder Fundamental Climate Data Record (FCDR) is made up of the following variables and components:
- Calibrated and navigated reflectances and brightness temperatures from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) channel data
- Viewing and illumination geometry, which includes sensor scan angle, solar zenith angle, and sun-sensor relative azimuth angle
- Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) data acquisition data
- A surface type mask
The data are composites of up to 23 orbits on a 5km Equal-Area Scalable Earth (EASE)-grid generated twice daily over both poles (Arctic and Antarctic) from 1982–present. The daily composites are centered on local solar times of 14:00 (high sun, but could be nighttime for some polar areas in winter) and 04:00 for the Arctic or 02:00 for the Antarctic. The dataset covers the north polar region (Arctic) from 48.4 degrees northward, and the south polar region (Antarctic) from -53.2 degrees southward.
To help the project receive continued support, updates, and improvement, tell us how you use Polar Pathfinder FCDR data by completing our optional User Registration Form.