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Satellite Observations for GCOS

Initial equirements for satellite observations for the Global Observing Systems (GTOS, GCOS and GOOS) were  developed jointly  by the AOPC, OOPC and TOPC with assistance from the Global Observing System Space Pane (GOSSP). GOSSP has since completed it's work and been disbanded. The detailed requirements of the three systems are maintained in a database operated by the WMO as a joint project with the Committee for Earth Observing Satellites (CEOS). The AOPC has specified the requirements for GCOS for the WMO/CEOS affiliates database.

The information contained in the table below is early version and should only be viewed as guidance at this point. The table also does not contain all the fields available in the CEOS database tables. It is presented here to provide a general view of the types of satellite observations required by the three observing systems.

Requirements for Satellite Observations for GCOS

The table below contains specifications developed by the AOPC for satellite observations in the atmosphere to meet GCOS needs. There are two sets of resolutions specified. The two resolutions and the column headings are explained in the second table below.
Parameter Hor Res UHor Res HR Min UHor Res Vert Res UVer Res VR Min UVer Res Observing Cycle UObs Cy Accuracy UAcc
Cloud cover 100 km 500 km         3 h 10 %
Cloud ice total column 100 km 500 km         3 h   g/m2
Cloud top height 100 km 500 km         3 h 0.5 km
Cloud water total column (<100 µm) 100 km 500 km         3 h   g/m2
Cloud water total column (>100 µm) 100 km 500 km         3 h   g/m2
Land surface temperature 100 km 500 km         3 h 1 K
Long-wave outgoing radiation at TOA 200 km 500 km         3 h 5 W/m2 - sd
Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) 100 km 500 km         168 d 10 %
Precipitation rate at the ground (liquid) 100 km 500 km         3 h 0.6 mm/h
Precipitation rate at the ground (solid) 100 km 500 km         3 h 0.6 mm/h
Sea surface temperature 100 km 500 km         24 h 0.3 K - sd
Sea-ice cover 100 km 500 km         1 d 10 %
Short-wave outgoing radiation at TOA 200 km 500 km         3 h 5 W/m2 - sd
Significant wave height 100 km 250 km         3 h 0.5 m
Snow cover 100 km 500 km         1 d 10 %
Snow water equivalent 100 km 500 km         1 d 5 mm
Solar irradiance at TOA                 0.125 d 5 W/m2 - sd
Specific humidity profile Higher troposphere 100 km 500 km 0.5 km 1 km 3 h 0.025 g/kg
Specific humidity profile Lower stratosphere 100 km 500 km 0.5 km 1 km 3 h 0.025 g/kg
Specific humidity profile Lower troposphere 100 km 500 km 0.1 km 2 km 3 h 0.25 g/kg
Specific humidity total column 100 km 500 km         3 h 1000 g/m2
Temperature profile Higher stratosphere/mesosphere 100 km 500 km 2 km 3 km 3 h 1 K
Temperature profile Higher troposphere 100 km 500 km 0.5 km 1 km 3 h 0.5 K
Temperature profile Lower stratosphere 100 km 500 km 0.5 km 1 km 3 h 0.5 K
Temperature profile Lower troposphere 100 km 500 km 0.1 km 2 km 3 h 0.5 K
Wind profile (horizontal component) Higher stratosphere/mesosphere 100 km 500 km 2 km 3 km 3 h 3 m/s
Wind profile (horizontal component) Higher troposphere 100 km 500 km 0.5 km 1 km 3 h 2 m/s
Wind profile (horizontal component) Lower stratosphere 100 km 500 km 0.5 km 1 km 3 h 2 m/s
Wind profile (horizontal component) Lower troposphere 100 km 500 km 0.1 km 2 km 3 h 2 m/s
Wind vector over sea surface (horizontal) 100 km 500 km         3 h 2 m/s

Explanation of the Columns in the Requirements Table
Parameter The variable that is being measured. It may be a profile or an integrated variable.
Hor Res The optimum horizontal resolution for observing the variable.
UHor Res The units of the horizontal resolution.
HR Min The minimum horizontal resolution for the observations to be useful for GCOS.
UHor Res The units of the horizontal resolution.
Vert Res The optimum vertical resolution for observing the variable.
UVer Res The units of the vertical resolution.
VR Min The minimum vertical resolution for the observations to be useful for GCOS.
UVer Res The units of the vertical resolution.
Observing Cycle The time interval between observations of the variable at the same point.
UObs Cy The units of the observing cycle.
Accuracy The accuracy required of the measurement of the variable.
UAcc The units of the accuracy.
Copyright GOSIC 2006

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GOSIC is supported and hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), and the U.S. GCOS Program on behalf of the global observing community.
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