The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has completed reprocessing of the AMSR-E/Aqua L1A Raw Observation Counts data set to Version 3. These Version 3 data are now available from the beginning of the AMSR-E mission through 04 October 2011, when the AMSR-E sensor stopped operating. The new version includes improved geometric accuracy and a switch to a new HDF version, from 4.2r1 to 4.2r4.
Also included with Version 3 are an additional 18 days of data spanning 01 June 2002 through 18 June 2002, which were previously unavailable. An assessment of these data collected during the initial AMSR-E evaluation period indicated that the quality of the observations is high enough to release to AMSR-E data users. Since it contains the most up-to-date algorithm available, we recommend working with Version 3 data set. For information and ordering options, see the product catalog page.
NSIDC will continue to distribute the Version 2 AMSR-E/Aqua L1A Raw Observation Counts data set until 15 February 2013, when it will be removed from the archive.
Please contact NSIDC User Services with inquiries regarding these products.