About AIRS Infrared and Microwave Radiances
The primary data returned by AIRS is the infrared spectrum in 2378 individual frequencies. The infrared spectrum is rich in information on numerous gases in the atmosphere. It forms a "fingerprint" of the state of the atmosphere for a given time and place that can be used as a climate data record for future generations.
Data Product Descriptions
Level 1B Products
Calibrated products from AIRS, AMSU-A and HSB.
Product List
AIRS Infrared Geolocated Radiances
AIRS VIS/Near IR Geolocated Radiances
AMSU-A Geolocated and Calibrated Brightness Temperatures
HSB Geolocated and Calibrated Brightness Temperatures
Level 2 Products
Higher-level data, resultant from science data processing.
Product List
Level 2 Standard Retrieval
Level 2 Cloud-Cleared Radiance
Level 2 Support Product
Level 3 Products
In addition to the standard science products, Level 3 products differ from other AIRS data products in that they are global products that have been binned into 1x1 degree grid bins. The Level 3 Standard Product contains 1x1 degree means, standard deviation and counts.
Available in three temporal resolutions: daily, 8-day, monthly
Browse Products
Browse products are made available to provide visualization of AIRS products and to aid in selection of specific AIRS data products. Visualization tools are provided to view Daily Browse products.
Product List
AMSU-A Daily Summary Browse
HSB Daily Summary Browse
AIRS Daily Summary Browse
Level 2 Retrieval Daily Browse Package
L2 Cloud-Cleared Radiance Daily Summary Browse
L2 Retrieval Summary Browse Data
In addition to the infrared spectrum, the AIRS companion instruments AMSU and HSB measure certain channels in the microwave. AMSU-A1 has 13 spectral channels between 50 and 90 GHz and serves as an all-weather temperature sounder; AMSU-A2 has 2 spectral channels at 23.8 and 31.4 GHz and serves to measure surface effects; HSB has 4 spectral channels between 150 and 190 GHz and serves as an all-weather humidity sounder. AMSU is operating nicely, while HSB ceased operation in February of 2003.
AIRS data are the most accurate and stable hyperspectral infrared measurements made in space. They meet the criteria identified in the National Research Council report (NRC, 2004) for climate data records, and are the basis for the stable accurate higher level products such as temperature and water vapor achieved from AIRS. The AIRS instrument has demonstrated exceptional radiometric accuracy to 0.2 K absolute with radiometric stability of better than 10 mK/year (Aumann, 2004). Spectral knowledge of 0.2x10-6 currently is achieved on AIRS with stability of better than 2x10-6 / year (Aumann, 2004). These numbers are unprecedented in a spaceborne instrument.