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Data Summaries

NSIDC archives and distributes a variety of data sets in the polar stereographic projection. The products are grouped in the following categories:

Brightness Temperature Products

Near-Real-Time DMSP SSM/I-SSMIS Daily Polar Gridded Brightness Temperatures

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Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 60° E: 180° W: -180°
  Southern: N: -60° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
Temporal Coverage: Approximately Previous Day
Parameters: Brightness Temperature

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Platform(s):
  • DMSP 5D-3/F17 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F17
  • DMSP 5D-2/F15 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F15
  • DMSP 5D-2/F13 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F13

Sensor(s):
  • SSMIS Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
  • SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave/Imager

Data Resolution:

Spatial: 12.5 km, 25 km
Temporal: Daily

Data Format:

Flat binary (2-byte integer)

More Information:

Metadata | Documentation

Data Access:

FTP

Data Set Creator(s):

J. Maslanik, D. Cavalieri, P. Gloerson, J. Zwally

DMSP SSM/I-SSMIS Daily Polar Gridded Brightness Temperatures

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Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30° E: 180° W: -180°
  Southern: N: -39° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
Temporal Coverage: 09 July 1987 – Approximately Previous Quarter
Parameters: Brightness Temperature

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Platform(s):
  • DMSP 5D-3/F17 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F17
  • DMSP 5D-2/F13 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F13
  • DMSP 5D-2/F11 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F11
  • DMSP 5D-2/F8 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F8

Sensor(s):
  • SSMIS Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
  • SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave/Imager

Data Resolution:

Spatial: 12.5 km, 25 km
Temporal: Daily

Data Format:

Flat binary (2-byte integer)

More Information:

Metadata | Documentation

Data Access:

FTP

Data Set Creator(s):

R. Barry, J. Maslanik, W. Meier, J. Stroeve, V. Troisi

AMSR-E/Aqua Daily L3 6.25 km 89 GHz Brightness Temperature Polar Grids

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Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
  Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
Temporal Coverage: 19 June 2002 – 03 October 2011
Parameters: Brightness Temperature

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Platform(s):
  • AQUA Earth Observing System, AQUA

Sensor(s):
  • AMSR-E Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS

Data Resolution:

Spatial: 6.25 km
Temporal: Daily

Data Format:

HDF-EOS

More Information:

Metadata | Documentation

Data Access:

Order Data

Data Set Creator(s):

D. Cavalieri, T. Markus, J. Comiso

AMSR-E/Aqua Daily L3 12.5 km Brightness Temperature, Sea Ice Concentration, & Snow Depth Polar Grids

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Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
  Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
Temporal Coverage: 19 June 2002 – 03 October 2011
Parameters: Brightness Temperature, Sea Ice Concentration, Snow Depth

More Detail

Platform(s):
  • AQUA Earth Observing System, AQUA

Sensor(s):
  • AMSR-E Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS

Data Resolution:

Spatial: 12.5 km
Temporal: Daily

Data Format:

 HDF-EOS

More Information:

Metadata | Documentation

Data Access:

Order Data

Data Set Creator(s):

D. Cavalieri, T. Markus, J. Comiso

AMSR-E/Aqua Daily L3 25 km Brightness Temperature & Sea Ice Concentration Polar Grids

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Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
  Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
Temporal Coverage: 19 June 2002 – 03 October 2011
Parameters: Brightness Temperature, Sea Ice Concentration

More Detail

Platform(s):
  • AQUA Earth Observing System, AQUA

Sensor(s):
  • AMSR-E Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS

Data Resolution:

Spatial: 25 km
Temporal: Daily

Data Format:

 HDF-EOS

More Information:

Metadata | Documentation

Data Access:

Order Data

Data Set Creator(s):

D. Cavalieri, T. Markus, J. Comiso

Nimbus-7 SMMR Polar Gridded Radiances and Sea Ice Concentrations

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No Image Available Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30° E: 180° W: -180°
  Southern: N: -39° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
Temporal Coverage: 25 October 1978 – 20 August 1987
Parameters: Brightness Temperatures, Sea Ice Concentration

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Platform(s):
  • NIMBUS-7
  • Radiometers

Sensor(s):
  • SMMR Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer

Data Resolution:

Spatial: 25 km
Temporal: Every other day

Data Format:

Flat binary (1- and 2-byte integers)

More Information:

Metadata | Documentation

Data Access:

FTP

Data Set Creator(s):

P. Gloerson, D. Cavalieri, W. J. Campbell, J. Zwally

Nimbus-5 ESMR Polar Gridded Brightness Temperatures

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Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 50° E: 180° W: -180°
  Southern: N: -50° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
Temporal Coverage: 11 December 1972 – 16 May 1977
Parameters: Brightness Temperature

More Detail

Platform(s):
  • ESMR Electronic Scanning Microwave Radiometer
  • Radiometers
    		•

    Sensor(s):
  • NIMBUS-5
    		•

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 25 km
    Temporal: Daily

    Data Format:

    Flat binary (2-byte integer)

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    FTP

    Data Set Creator(s):

    C. Parkinson, J. Comiso, J. Zwally

    Sea Ice Products [top]

    Near-Real-Time DMSP SSM/I-SSMIS Daily Polar Gridded Sea Ice Concentrations

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    Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: Approximately Previous Day
    Parameters: Sea Ice Concentration

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    Platform(s):
    • DMSP 5D-3/F17 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F17
    • DMSP 5D-2/F15 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F15
    • DMSP 5D-2/F13 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F13

    Sensor(s):
    • SSMIS Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
    • SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave/Imager

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 25 km
    Temporal: Daily

    Data Format:

    Flat binary (scaled 1-byte integer)

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    FTP | Polaris

    Data Set Creator(s):

    J. Maslanik, J. Stroeve

    NOAA/NSIDC Climate Data Record of Passive Microwave Sea Ice Concentration

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    No Image Available Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 89.84° S: 31.1° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39.36° S: -89.84° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 26 October 1978 – 31 December 2007
    Parameters: Sea Ice Concentration

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    Platform(s):
    • DMSP Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
    • DMSP 5D-2/F11 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F11
    • DMSP 5D-2/F13 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F13
    • DMSP 5D-2/F8 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F8
    • NIMBUS-7

    Sensor(s):
    • SMMR Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer
    • SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave/Imager

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 25 km
    Temporal: Daily, Monthly

    Data Format:

    NetCDF4 CF-1.5

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    FTP

    Data Set Creator(s):

    W. Meier

    Sea Ice Concentrations from Nimbus-7 SMMR and DMSP SSM/I-SSMIS Passive Microwave Data

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    Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 26 October 1978 – Approximately Previous Year
    Parameters: Sea Ice Concentration

    More Detail

    Platform(s):
    • DMSP 5D-3/F17 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F17
    • DMSP 5D-2/F13 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F13
    • DMSP 5D-2/F11 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F11
    • DMSP 5D-2/F8 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F8
    • NIMBUS-7

    Sensor(s):
    • SSMIS Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
    • SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave/Imager
    • SMMR Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 25 km
    Temporal: Daily, monthly, every other day

    Data Format:

    Binary (scaled, unsigned 1-byte integer)

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    FTP | Polaris

    Data Set Creator(s):

    W. Meier, D. Cavalieri

    Bootstrap Sea Ice Concentrations from Nimbus-7 SMMR and DMSP SSM/I

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    Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 26 October 1978 – Approximately Previous Year
    Parameters: Sea Ice Concentration

    More Detail

    Platform(s):
    • DMSP 5D-3/F17 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F17
    • DMSP 5D-2/F13 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F13
    • DMSP 5D-2/F11 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F11
    • DMSP 5D-2/F8 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F8
    • NIMBUS-7

    Sensor(s):
    • SSMIS Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
    • SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave/Imager
    • SMMR Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 25 km
    Temporal: Daily, every other day, monthly

    Data Format:

    Flat binary (2-byte integer)

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    FTP

    Data Set Creator(s):

    J. Comiso

    AMSR-E/Aqua Daily L3 12.5 km Brightness Temperature, Sea Ice Concentration, & Snow Depth Polar Grids

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    Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 19 June 2002 – 03 October 2011
    Parameters: Brightness Temperature, Sea Ice Concentration, Snow Depth

    More Detail

    Platform(s):
    • AQUA Earth Observing System, AQUA

    Sensor(s):
    • AMSR-E Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 12.5 km
    Temporal: Daily

    Data Format:

    HDF-EOS

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    Order Data

    Data Set Creator(s):

    D. Cavalieri, T. Markus, J. Comiso

    AMSR-E/Aqua Daily L3 25 km Brightness Temperature & Sea Ice Concentration Polar Grids

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    Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 19 June 2002 – 03 October 2011
    Parameters: Brightness Temperature, Sea Ice Concentration

    More Detail

    Platform(s):
    • AQUA Earth Observing System, AQUA

    Sensor(s):
    • AMSR-E Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 25 km
    Temporal: Daily

    Data Format:

    HDF-EOS

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    Order Data

    Data Set Creator(s):

    D. Cavalieri, T. Markus, J. Comiso

    Sea Ice Index

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    Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 01 November 1978 – present
    Parameters: Sea Ice Concentration

    More Detail

    Platform(s):
    • DMSP 5D-3/F17 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F17
    • DMSP 5D-2/F13 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F13
    • DMSP 5D-2/F11 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F11
    • DMSP 5D-2/F8 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F8
    • NIMBUS-7

    Sensor(s):
    • SSMIS Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
    • SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave/Imager
    • SMMR Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 25 km
    Temporal: Monthly

    Data Format:

    ASCII text, PNG, KML, KMZ, Geospatial Vector Data

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation | Product Web Site

    Data Access:

    FTP

    Data Set Creator(s):

    F. Fetterer, K. Knowles, W. Meier, M. Savoie

    Nimbus-7 SMMR Polar Gridded Radiances and Sea Ice Concentrations

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    No Image Available Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 25 October 1978 – 20 August 1987
    Parameters: Brightness Temperatures, Sea Ice Concentration

    More Detail

    Platform(s):
    • NIMBUS-7
    • Radiometers

    Sensor(s):
    • SMMR Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 25 km
    Temporal: Every other day

    Data Format:

    Flat binary (1- and 2-byte integers)

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    FTP

    Data Set Creator(s):

    P. Gloerson, D. Cavalieri, W. J. Campbell, J. Zwally

    Nimbus-5 ESMR Polar Gridded Sea Ice Concentrations

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    Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 12 December 1972 – 31 December 1976
    Parameters: Sea Ice Concentration

    More Detail

    Platform(s):
    • NIMBUS-5

    Sensor(s):
    • ESMR Electrically Scanning Microwave Radiometer

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 25 km
    Temporal: Daily, monthly

    Data Format:

    HDF

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    FTP

    Data Set Creator(s):

    C. Parkinson, J. Comiso, J. Zwally

    Sea Ice Trends and Climatologies from SMMR and SSM/I-SSMIS

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    Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 26 October 1978 – Approximately Previous Year
    Parameters: Sea Ice Extent, Area, and Persistance; Sea Ice Concentration Climatologies; Ocean Masks; Missing Pixels

    More Detail

    Platform(s):
    • DMSP 5D-3/F17 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F17
    • DMSP 5D-2/F15 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F15
    • DMSP 5D-2/F13 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F13
    • DMSP 5D-2/F11 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F11
    • DMSP 5D-2/F8 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F8
    • NIMBUS-7

    Sensor(s):
    • SSMIS Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
    • SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave/Imager
    • SMMR Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: Varies
    Temporal: Varies

    Data Format:

    Flat binary, PNG, ASCII text, JPEG

    More Information:

    Metadata | Product Web Site

    Data Access:

    FTP

    Data Set Creator(s):

    W. Stroeve, W. Meier

    Snow on Sea Ice Products [top]

    AMSR-E/Aqua Daily L3 12.5 km Brightness Temperature, Sea Ice Concentration, & Snow Depth Polar Grids

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    Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30.98° E: 180° W: -180°
      Southern: N: -39.23° S: -90° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 19 June 2002 – 03 October 2011
    Parameters: Brightness Temperature, Sea Ice Concentration, Snow Depth

    More Detail

    Platform(s):
    • AQUA Earth Observing System, AQUA

    Sensor(s):
    • AMSR-E Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 12.5 km
    Temporal: Daily

    Data Format:

    		 HDF-EOS

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    Order Data

    Data Set Creator(s):

    D. Cavalieri, T. Markus, J. Comiso

    Snow Melt Onset Over Arctic Sea Ice from SMMR and SSM/I Brightness Temperatures

    get data

    Sample Image Spatial Coverage: Northern: N: 90° S: 30° E: 180° W: -180°
    Temporal Coverage: 01 January 1979 – 31 December 2007
    Parameters: Snow Melt Onset

    More Detail

    Platform(s):
    • DMSP 5D-2/F13 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F13
    • DMSP 5D-2/F11 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F11
    • DMSP 5D-2/F8 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-F8
    • NIMBUS-7

    Sensor(s):
    • SSMIS Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
    • SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave/Imager
    • SMMR Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer

    Data Resolution:

    Spatial: 25 km
    Temporal: Yearly

    Data Format:

    ASCII text, GIF

    More Information:

    Metadata | Documentation

    Data Access:

    FTP

    Data Set Creator(s):

    S. Drobot, M. Anderson

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