Langley Research Center Distributed Active Archive Center, Science Directorate, Langley Research Center, NASA
Service Provider Description
The Langley Research Center Distributed Active Archive Center (LARC DAAC), Hampton, Virginia, is one of several Earth science data centers
comprising the Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS). The
ESDIS program is a segment of the Earth Observing System (EOS), NASA's
contribution to the Global Change Research Program. The LARC DAAC is
responsible for archiving and distributing NASA science data in the
areas of radiation budget, clouds, aerosols, and tropospheric
chemistry. This DAAC will also archive some of the data sets which
result from the EOS program and other elements of Mission to Planet
Earth. Data Sets
1) ERBE - Earth Radiation Budget Experiment. Data are collected from
three satellites (ERBS, NOAA-9, NOAA-10) carrying two ERBE instruments
(scanner, nonscanner). The objective is to measure global albedo,
fluxes, and solar incidence. The ERBE data comes in various data sets
and formats. Some of the data are stored in HDF and is available via
FTP. The data may also be ordered on 4mm, 8mm, or 6250 tape media.
2) ISCCP - International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project. ISCCP
focuses on the study of the distribution and variation of cloud
radiative properties. The objective is to improve the understanding
and modeling of the effects of clouds on climate and also to elucidate
the role of clouds in the radiation balance and improve our knowledge
of the long-term global hydrologic cycle. The ISCCP data comes in
various data sets and formats. Some of the data are available on
CD-ROM or via FTP. Other data may be ordered on 4mm, 8mm, or 6250
tape media.
3) SAGE - Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment. SAGE I gathered
data concerning the spatial distribution of stratospheric aerosols,
ozone, and nitrogen dioxide on a global scale. The goals of SAGE II
are to determine the spatial distributions of stratospheric aerosols,
ozone, nitrogen dioxide, water vapor, and cloud occurrence by mapping
vertical profiles and calculating monthly averages of each. The SAGE
data are available via FTP or may be ordered on 4mm, 8mm, or 6250
tape.
4) SRB - Surface Radiation Budget. The SRB data sets were calculated
using data from ISCCP and ERBE. They are designed to give global daily
and monthly averages of the albedo, irradiance, cloud properties, and
meteorology. These data are available on CD-ROM or via FTP through
the on-line system.
5) FIRE - First ISCCP Regional Experiment. This series of experiments
includes aircraft, satellite, and surface-based measurements of Cirrus
and Marine Stratocumulus cloud parameters. The purpose of this
program is to validate and improve ISCCP data products and
cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models
(GCMs). These data are available on 4mm, 8mm, or 6250 tape.
6) GTE - Global Tropospheric Experiment. Data are collected primarily
from aircraft and ground-based instruments from a variety of areas
such as the Amazon Rain Forest and the Northern tundra and boreal
forest. Many parameters were measured including ozone, methane, PAN,
CO, NO, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, and aerosols. The first data
sets are now available and can be obtained via FTP or ordered on 4mm,
8mm, or 6250 tape.
7) SAM II - Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement. This instrument was
flown onboard the Nimbus-7 satellite and consisted of a one-spectral
channel sun photometer, centered at 1.0 um, which viewed a small
portion of the sun through the Earth's atmosphere during spacecraft
sunrise and sunset. The data obtained from this instrument were used
to determine the vertical distribution of stratospheric aerosols in
the polar regions of both hemispheres. Access Procedures The DAAC has
developed an on-line computer system which allows the user to log on,
search through the DAAC's data inventory, select the desired data
sets, and place an order.
For more information, view the LARC DAAC homepage on the WWW at
http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/.
Contact:
NASA Langley Atmospheric Sciences Data Center
Science, Users, and Data Services
NASA Langley Research Center
2 South Wright Street
Mail Stop 157D
Building 1268C
Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199 USA
(757) 864-8656
(757) 864-8807 (FAX)
Email: larc@eos.nasa.gov
