GEOSTATIONARY METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE - VIS/IR IMAGERY (MCIDAS FORMAT)

C. Velden (University of Wisconsin, USA)

Announced availability: 1 October 1994

Data Access

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)/Wisconsin reprocessed Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS) images are available from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, CO (http://dss.ucar.edu/datasets/ds745.0/). Also available from NCAR are the data originally identified as 'missing' (see Appendix 2, below), in preprocessed form. The BoM/Wisconsin reprocessed data have also been archived at NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) in Asheville, NC (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov).

Background

GMS-4 is a Japanese satellite in geostationary orbit over the equator at approximately 140E. The satellite is equipped with the Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer (VISSR) imaging sensor, which uses the spin motion of the satellite to scan the earth in the East-West direction. GMS begins a North-South scan every hour on the half hour, with four additional scans daily for wind estimation. At the satellite subpoint, the visible (0.5-0.75 um) channel has a resolution of 1.25 km and the infrared (10.5-12.5 um) channel has a resolution of 5 km. This gives approximately 10,000 visible and 2,500 infrared lines and samples for each full-globe image. The visible channel is digitized at 6 bits and the infrared channel at 8 bits. The S-VISSR telemetry is transmitted digitally at 1.7 GHz with a bit rate of 660 kbps. Detailed documentation on the GMS satellite and the VISSR can be found in the GMS User's Guide.

GMS satellite data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM, Melbourne) for the entire TOGA COARE Intensive Observing Period (IOP) from 1 November 1992 to 28 February 1993. Data were reprocessed in McIDAS-X file format by the University of Wisconsin.

Data File Information

The data include 5-km full-disk IR and 1.25-km (full resolution) visible imagery over the 15 N-15 S domain at hourly intervals. The images have been carefully checked and renavigated when necessary. Eighty-two percent of all the hourly images for this period have been recovered. Other images were either missing or corrupted in the BoM dataset.

A software package, called MERLIN, available through the University of Wisconsin, allows basic functions of the McIDAS software. A "TOGA COARE" subroutine added to the standard MERLIN package allows conversion of McIDAS files to raster-type files for more general use. For information on MERLIN, see Appendix.

For more information, please contact:

Chris Velden
Space Science and Engineering Center
University of Wisconsin
1225 W. Dayton St., Rm. 253
Madison, WI 53706
USA

email:chrisv@ssecmail.ssec.wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-9168
FAX: (608) 262-5974

Appendices

1. MERLIN SOFTWARE

MERLIN and the "TOGA COARE" Sidecar are available for distribution via http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/software/ams94.html

Below is a copy of the readme file that is included in the FTP directory. The package will work on HP, IBM, SGI and SUN.

Title:
MERLIN: Multi-source EnviRonmental data dispLay for INternet archives.

This software is the property of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC). It is intended for the free use of the scientific community. It is not to be decompiled or remarketed or sold without the express written permission of the SSEC.

Purpose:
MERLIN is intended primarily for researchers investigating climate and global change issues. It provides access, fusion, intercomparison, interpretation and visualization of a wide variety of environmental data and derived products. Special emphasis has been placed on the use of this software package with the NASA/NOAA Pathfinder datasets.

Developer:
MERLIN was developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison SSEC with principal funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Science Foundation (NSF). SSEC created MERLIN using the Tcl/Tk package developed by John Ousterhout of the University of California-Berkeley.

System Requirements:
The MERLIN system runs on the following workstation configurations:

HP/Apollo 9000 series 700
-------------------------
Operating System HP-UX version 9.01 or 9.03
X Window System HP-UX version 9.01 or 9.03
Motif HP-UX version 9.01 or 9.03
Disk Space 75 MB for MERLIN software and 90-220 MB for sample data

IBM RISC System/6000
--------------------
Operating System AIX version 3.2.3
X Window System IBM AIXwindows version 1.2.3
Motif packaged with AIXwindows 1.2.3
Disk Space 65 MB for MERLIN software and 90-220 MB for sample data

SGI
---
Operating System IRIX version 4.0.5
X Window System SGI Graphics Library and X11 Development System version 4.0 Execution Environment
Motif SGI Motif Development System 4.0; SGI Motif Execution Only Environment version 4.0.5
Disk Space 100 MB for MERLIN software and 90-220 MB for sample data

Sun SPARC
---------
Operating System SunOS version 4.1.3 (distributed with Solaris 1.1)
X Window System OpenWindows version 3.0 (distributed with Solaris 1.1) install as the full OpenWindows cluster
Motif ICS OSF Motif version 1.1.4
Disk Space 50 MB for MERLIN software and 90-220 MB for sample data

Or:

Operating System Solaris version 2.3
X Window System OpenWindows version 3.3 (distributed with Solaris 2.3) install as the full OpenWindows cluster
Disk Space 60 MB for MERLIN software and 90-220 MB for sample data

Installation:
You may get the MERLIN package via anonymous FTP to ssec.wisc.edu (144.92.108.61). The MERLIN software is in /pub/merlin.

After you obtain the MERLIN package, use the three steps below to install it on your workstation. The MERLIN package contains the following files: merlin1.0.tar.Z, merlin1.0.sh and merlin1.0.readme. MERLIN is distributed in binary form.

1. Change the file permissions of the installation script. Type:

    chmod 755 merlin1.0.sh
    2. Install MERLIN in your workstation's current account and directory. Type:
    sh ./merlin1.0.sh make
    sh ./merlin1.0.sh install
    This step creates the following directory tree structure:
    ./merlin/bin
    ./merlin/lib
    ./merlin/sysdata
    ./merlin1.0/bin
    ./merlin1.0/lib
    ./merlin1.0/SRC
    ./merlin1.0/sysdata
    3. A sample dataset for MERLIN is available via anonymous FTP to pathfinder.arc.nasa.gov (128.102.128.10) in the /pub/Merlin1.0/data directory. Install the sample data files in the ./merlin/sysdata directory. Installing the merlin.data2.tar.Z file is not required if your workstation has limited disk space. The data1.tar.Z file contains enough sample data to use MERLIN. Type:
    zcat merlin.data1.tar.Z | tar xvf -
    zcat merlin.data2.tar.Z | tar xvf -
    Data Acquisition:
    Additional data is available on the Internet via anonymous FTP to pathfinder.arc.nasa.gov (128.102.128.10), the Pathfinder Vernal Equinox Sampler. Data located in the /pub/GOES.ssec.wisc and /pub/SSMI.AntennaTemps.msfc directories can also be used with MERLIN. Other Pathfinder data types will be supported in the future. Data is also available on the University of Wisconsin-Madison SSEC Gopher.
    Startup:
    1. Set your path to include the merlin/bin directory.
    2. Type: merlin
    MERLIN starts up, displaying an image window and control
    window. MERLIN creates a merlin/data directory and links data files including the installed sample dataset to this directory. You can copy sample data files into your merlin/data directory if you want to modify them. Use:
    Click the Help button on the Control Panel for information about:
    Getting Started
    Control Panel
    Data Menu
    Window Menu
    The MERLIN image window contains four frames, each 480 lines by 640 elements. You can add up to 96 frames depending on the available memory. The MERLIN image window uses 128 gray shades and 16 graphics colors.
    The MERLIN control window consists of the Control Panel, Data and Window Menus, and About Merlin and Exit Merlin buttons, which are explained in the Help.
    The TOGA COARE Sidecar to MERLIN may be activated by selecting TOGA from the menu under Sidecars at the bottom of the Window Menu.
    A single click of the mouse button activates most menus and buttons. A double click is indicated when necessary. Use the middle mouse button to tear off a menu; to dismiss the torn off menu, click the menu button a second time. Mouse buttons may not work properly in the MERLIN windows if the Caps Lock or Num Lock keys are on.
    As you make selections in the menus, dialog boxes containing options and entry fields are displayed. Each option is defined in the Help. Clicking on raised buttons displays a list of valid selections for the entry fields. Some entry fields can be edited directly. Shaded entry fields require a value; unshaded entry fields are optional. Default values are automatically displayed in entry fields.
    If messages appear on the screen advising that you are out of processes, have your system administrator increase the number of processes to 100 or more.
    Removal:
    To remove the MERLIN package from the current account and directory, type:
    sh ./merlin1.0.sh uninstall
    sh ./merlin1.0.sh unmake
    Comments:
    Send your questions or comments about MERLIN to the e-mail address merlin@ssec.wisc.edu.

2. GMS IMAGERY INVENTORY

The following GMS data are missing in the U. of Wisconsin/BoM/Taiwan GMS imagery collection. (April 1997 UPDATE: Tetsuo Nakazawa has provided data, now archived at NCAR in their original format, which fill some of these gaps.)

The number in the brackets after the time means as follows. 

        2:      both northern and southern data available
        1:      only northern data available
        0:      entire data missing


Missing IR DATA

Julian Day      Calendar date   Time Missing
305             31 Oct          0330(1), 0730(2)
306             1 Nov           0330(1)
307             2 Nov           0330(1)
308             3 Nov           0330(1), 1130(2), 1430(2),
1530(2), 1630(2)
309             4 Nov           0130(2), 0330(1)
310             5 Nov           0330(1), 0430(2)
311             6 Nov           0330(1)
312             7 Nov           0330(1)
315             10 Nov          0030(0), 0130(0)
316             11 Nov          0030(0), 0130(0), 0230(2)
319             14 Nov          0330(1)
320             15 Nov          0230(2), 0330(1)
321             16 Nov          0330(1)
322             17 Nov          0330(1)
323             18 Nov          0330(1)
324             19 Nov          0330(1)
325             20 Nov          0330(1)
326             21 Nov          0330(1)
327             22 Nov          0330(1)
328             23 Nov          0330(1)
329             24 Nov          0330(1)
330             25 Nov          0330(1)
331             26 Nov          0330(1)
332             27 Nov          0330(1)
333             28 Nov          0330(1)
334             29 Nov          0330(1)
335             30 Nov          0330(1)
337             2 Dec           0130(1)
339             4 Dec           0030(0), 0130(0), 0230(0),
0330(0), 0430(0)
342             7 Dec           0130(1)
343             8 Dec           0030(0), 0130(0), 2130(2)
349             14 Dec          0130(1)
350             15 Dec          0030(0), 0130(0), 0230(0),
0330(0), 0430(0)
355             20 Dec          0730(2)
356             21 Dec          0030(0), 0130(0)
361             26 Dec          0630(2), 2330(2)
362             27 Dec          0030(2), 0530(2), 0830(2)
2               2 Jan           0330(2)
6               6 Jan           0030(0), 0130(0), 0230(0),
0330(0)
7               7 Jan           0030(0), 0130(0), 0230(0),
0330(0), 0830(2)
8               8 Jan           0130(0), 0230(0), 0330(0),
0430(0)
11              11 Jan          0030(0), 0230(2), 0430(2),
0530(2), 0730(2),
                                0930(2),1130(2), 1330(2), 1530(2), 1630(2),
                                1730(2), 1930(2), 2130(2), 2230(2)
12              12 Jan          0030(2), 0230(0), 0330(0),
0530(2), 0730(2),
                                0930(2), 1130(2), 1330(2), 2030(2), 2230(2)
13              13 Jan          0030(2), 0130(2), 0230(2),
0330(2), 0430(2),
                                0530(2), 0630(2), 0730(2), 0930(2), 1030(2),
                                1130(2), 1330(2), 1730(2), 1930(2), 2030(2),
                                2230(2), 2330(2)
14              14 Jan          0030(2), 0130(2), 0230(2),
0430(2), 0630(2),
                                1030(2), 1130(2), 1330(2), 1830(2), 2330(2)
15              15 Jan          0030(2), 0330(2), 0730(2),
0930(2), 1530(2),
                                1830(2), 2030(2), 2330(2)
16              16 Jan          0330(2), 0530(2), 0730(2),
1630(2), 2330(2)
17              17 Jan          0830(2), 1330(2), 1730(2),
2130(2), 2330(2)
18              18 Jan          1330(2)
19              19 Jan          0030(0), 0130(0), 0230(0),
0330(0)
21              21 Jan          1130(2)
22              22 Jan          0030(2), 0130(2)
23              23 Jan          0030(2), 0130(2), 0830(2),
2130(2)
24              24 Jan          0430(2), 1030(2), 1930(2),
2030(2), 2130(2)
25              25 Jan          0230(2), 0330(2), 0730(2),
26              26 Jan          0330(2), 0930(2), 1030(2)
27              27 Jan          0030(2), 0130(2), 0230(2),
0430(2), 0630(2),
                                0830(2), 1330(2)
29              29 Jan          0330(2)
30              30 Jan          1130(2), 1530(2), 1630(2),
2030(2)
31              31 Jan          1230(2), 1330(2), 1430(2)
32              1 Feb           0630(2)
41              10 Feb          0130(0), 1130(2)
42              11 Feb          0530(2)
43              12 Feb          0130(0), 1130(2)
45              14 Feb          1630(2)
46              15 Feb          0130(0), 0430(2), 1330(2),
2330(2)
47              16 Feb          0030(0), 0130(0),
48              17 Feb          1630(2)
49              18 Feb          0030(0), 0330(0), 0530(2)
50              19 Feb          0130(2)
51              20 Feb          0530(2)
52              21 Feb          0530(2)
53              22 Feb          0030(0), 0330(0)
54              23 Feb          0130(1)
55              24 Feb          1730(2)
56              25 Feb          0030(2), 0130(0), 0330(2),
0430(2), 0630(0),
                                0730(2), 0930(2), 1130(2), 1330(0), 1430(0),
                                1530(2), 1630(2)
57              26 Feb          1330(0), 1430(0)
58              27 Feb          0030(2), 1330(0), 1430(0)
59              28 Feb          1330(0), 1430(0)
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