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GLAS/ICESat L2 Global Cloud Heights for Multi-layer Clouds (HDF5), Version 33
GLAH09 Level-2 cloud heights for multi-layer clouds contain cloud layer top and bottom height data at sampling rates of 4 sec, 1 sec, 5 Hz, and 40 Hz. Each data granule has an associated browse product.
For information about Version 33, see the NSIDC ICESat Description of Data Releases page.
Geographic Coverage
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Spatial Resolution: |
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Temporal Coverage: |
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Temporal Resolution: | 1288 minute |
Parameter(s): |
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Platform(s) | ICESAT |
Sensor(s): | ALTIMETERS, GLAS |
Data Format(s): |
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Version: | V33 |
Data Contributor(s): | David Hancock, H. Zwally, Robert Schutz, John Dimarzio |
Metadata XML: | View Metadata Record |
Data Citation
As a condition of using these data, you must cite the use of this data set using the following citation. For more information, see our Use and Copyright Web page.
Zwally, H. J., R. Schutz, D. Hancock, and J. Dimarzio. 2013. GLAS/ICESat L2 Global Cloud Heights for Multi-layer Clouds (HDF5), Version 33. [Indicate subset used]. Boulder, Colorado USA. NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/ICESAT/GLAS/DATA202. [Date Accessed].FAQ
For every top of layer given, there is definitely a bottom of layer given in the same corresponding location in the vector. The tops and bottoms vectors are ordered top-down for each channel (532 nm or 1064 nm) independently. Thus, if Cld_top and Cld_bot are the 10-element arrays that hold the... read more
GLA09 (GLAH09) should not contain elevated aerosol layers, only cloud heights. If the GLA09 (GLAH09) algorithm detects a layer in the data, a cloud/aerosol discrimination routine is called. If the layer is considered cloud, then it is output to GLA09 (GLAH09). If it is... read more
The GLAS science team added the 1064 nm-based layer detection just a few months before ICESat launched, because they discovered potentially serious problems in the 532 nm channel. The initial design of the software only used the 532 nm channel because of its superior data quality; however, when... read more
Users may note duplication of cloud layers in GLA09, meaning that a given layer is reported twice: once from 532 nm and once from 1064 nm (assuming that both channels are operating). If this occurs, the top and bottom of the layer should be slightly different, because two completely different... read more
For every top of layer given, there is definitely a bottom of layer given in the same corresponding location in the vector. The tops and bottoms vectors are ordered top-down for each channel (532 nm or 1064 nm) independently. Thus, if Cld_top and Cld_bot are the 10-element arrays that hold the... read more
How To
HDFView
https://support.hdfgroup.org/products/java/hdfview/
When you first open HDFView, the HDFView window appears with an empty tree and data panel.
The main window consists of six different components... read more