AMSR Data Catalog: Ocean #8211; AMSR web at JAXA Earth Observation Research Center (EORC)

Data Catalog
Ocean
Sea Surface Temperature

Sea Surface Temperature
(Standard Product)

Temperature of water at ocean surface. Coverage of the product is over the ocean only, and unit is [℃]. Its horizontal resolution is about 20-30 km and coarser than that of optical instruments. Microwave radiometer, however, can observe ocean surface through clouds, and monitor continuous change of sea surface temperature over the ocean where few clear region can be found in specific areas or seasons

SST

Ascending
SST

Descending

Product Overview

Product Name		Sea Surface Temperature DOI
Product Type		Standard Product
Processing Level		L2 (Swath data ^*2) and L3 (Grid data: EQR)
Product ID		SST

Satellite		AMSR3	AMSR2	AMSR-E
Spec. ^*1	Area	Global over ocean	Global over ocean
	Spatial Resolution	6GHz SST: approx. 50 km 10GHz SST: approx. 30 km Multi-band SST: approx. 30 km	approx. 50 km
	Standard accuracy	6GHz SST: 0.5℃ ^*3 10GHz SST: 0.6℃ Multi-band SST: 0.6℃	6GHz SST: 0.5℃ ^*3
	Range	-2 〜 35 ℃	-2 〜 35 ℃
Latest Version		In preparation	AMSR2: ver. 4.400.400 (2 July 2012 - 27 July 2022) 2020-10-13 release ver. 4.410.410 (27 July 2022 - 17 April 2024)^4 2022-07-27 release ver. 4.411.411 (18 August 2023 - 01 September 2023, 17 April 2024 - present)^4 2024-04-17 release	AMSR-E: ver.8.300.300 2019-07-05 release
Product Period		AMSR3: August 11, 2025 〜 (Not provided)	AMSR2: July 3, 2012 〜	AMSR-E: July 1 ,2002 〜 October 4, 2011
Data Download		In preparation	Globe Portal System (G-Portal)	Globe Portal System (G-Portal)
Data Format		In preparation	HDF5 AMSR2 Higher Level Format 2.7MB	AMSR-E Level2 Format description 757KB AMSR-E Level3 Format description 1.03MB
Stored Data		AMSR3: (1) 6GHz SST [℃], (2) 10GHz SST [℃], (3) Multi-band SST [℃] ^*5	AMSR2: (1) 6GHz SST [℃], (2) 10GHz SST [℃], (3) Multi-band SST [℃] ^*6	AMSR-E: (1) 6GHz SST [℃], (2) 10GHz SST [℃] ^*7
Data Quality Flag		In preparation	AMSR2 L2 SST Quality Flag 289KB
Algorithm Version		In preparation	AMSR2 v4.1 (Algorithm Description, 3.9MB PDF page 33 )
Validation Result		In preparation	Update of AMSR2 SST, 10GHz and Multiband SST to Ver4.1 3.5MB

The specifications are defined in the AMSR3 Mission Requirement (In preparation) and AMSR2 Mission Requirement.
Swath data is a format in which data for each footprint is stored in a two-dimensional array (observation points in scanning direction x number of scanning lines) in order of observation time.
Except sea ice and precipitating areas. Goal accuracy is defined as monthly mean bias error in 10 degrees latitudes.
For climate change analysis, version 4.11 (2 July 2012 – present) is available via the GHRSST server.
The second and third layers of the AMSR3 standard product "6GHz SST" contain the standard products "10GHz SST" and "Multi-band SST".
The second and third layers of the AMSR2 standard product "6GHz SST" contain the research products "10GHz SST" (ver. 2.1 or later) and "Multi-band SST" (ver. 4.0 or later).
The second layer of the AMSR-E standard product "6GHz SST" contain the research products "10GHz SST" (ver. 2.0 or later).

Reference

Shibata, A., 2007: Effect of air-sea temperature difference on ocean microwave brightness temperature estimated from AMSR, SeaWinds, and buoys, J. Oceanogr., 63(5), 863-872., doi: 10.1007/s10872-007-0073-y

Shibata, A., 2006: Features of ocean microwave emission changed by wind at 6 GHz, J. Oceanogr., 62(3), 321-330., doi: 10.1007/s10872-006-0057-3

Shibata, A., 2004: AMSR/AMSR-E SST algorithm developments: removal of ocean wind effect, Italian J. Remote Sensing, 30/31: 131-142.

Revision History

April 17, 2024

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. ver. 4.411.411 release

Release note

225KB

July 27, 2022

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 4.1 release

Update of AMSR2 SST, 10GHz and Multiband SST to Ver4.1

3.5MB

Release note

187KB

October 12, 2020

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 4.0 release

Updates of AMSR2 Level 2 (Geophysical Parameters) to Ver.4 (Standard Product)

2.2MB PDF page 3

July 5, 2019

AMSR-E Standard Product SST ver. 8 release (HDF5 AMSR2 Higher Level Format)

Reprocessing by applying the AMSR2 algorithm

Extension of swath width from 196 points to 243 points

Compliant with AMSR2 HDF5 format

Back Number

▸

March 1, 2017

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 3.0

AMSR2 Products Update

1.5MB PDF page 3

March 26, 2015

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 2.0/2.1

AMSR2 L2 Product

12MB PDF page 25

July 9, 2013

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 1.0

AMSR2 L2 Product

3.7MB PDF page 3

September 29, 2011

AMSR-E Standard Product SST ver. 7 release

March 25, 2008

AMSR-E Standard Product SST ver. 6 release

March 12, 2007

AMSR-E Standard Product SST ver. 5 release

March 15, 2006

AMSR-E Standard Product SST ver. 4 release

March 1, 2005

AMSR-E Standard Product SST ver. 3 release

March 12, 2004

AMSR-E Standard Product SST ver. 2 release

September 19, 2003

AMSR-E Standard Product SST ver. 1 release

Data Catalog
Ocean
High - resolution Sea Surface Temperature

High - resolution Sea Surface Temperature
(Research Product)

Product Overview

Product Name		High - resolution Sea Surface Temperature DOI
Product Type		Research Product
Processing Level		L2 (Swath data ^*2) and L3 (Grid data: EQR)
Product ID		HST
Satellite		AMSR3
Spec. ^*1	Area	Global over ocean
	Spatial Resolution	approx. 20 km
	Release accuracy	±0.8 ℃ ^*3
	Range	-2 〜 35 ℃
Latest Version		In preparation
Product Period		AMSR3: August 11, 2025 〜 (Not provided)
Data Download		In preparation
Data Format		In preparation
Stored Data		High - resolution Sea Surface Temperature [℃]
Data Quality Flag		In preparation
Algorithm Version		In preparation
Validation Result		In preparation

The specifications are defined in the AMSR3 Mission Requirement (In preparation).
Swath data is a format in which data for each footprint is stored in a two-dimensional array (observation points in scanning direction x number of scanning lines) in order of observation time.

Reference

Revision History

10GHz Sea Surface Temperature
(Research Product)

The 10 GHz sea surface temperature product (10GHz SST) is a research product processed using the 10.65 GHz brightness temperature as input.

Future of 10GHz SST

The 10 GHz band has a smaller footprint size than the 6 GHz band and can provide SST data with higher spatial resolution than the standard product (6G SST), which is calculated using observation data in the 6 GHz band.

In coastal waters close to land, effective data cannot be obtained because they are greatly affected by radiation from land. However, the 10G SST has superior spatial resolution compared to the 6G SST, so it even stores data for sea areas closer to land.

The higher the frequency, the lower the sensitivity to sea surface temperature. Therefore, the 10G SST has lower accuracy in low-temperature regions of less than 9 ℃. However, since the target accuracy (±0.8℃) is met, data for low-temperature regions below 9 ℃ is also provided.

In areas where there is rainfall, the data is not available due to accuracy issues.

Data Distribution

10GH SSTs are stored and distributed in the second layer of "Geophysical Data" of AMSR2 and AMSR-E SST standard products.

10GHz SST

June 1, 2021 Ascending
6GHz SST

June 1, 2021 Ascending

Product Overview

Product Name		10GHz Sea Surface Temperature
Product Type		Research Product
Processing Level		L2 (Swath data ^*2) and L3 (Grid data: EQR)
Product ID		SST

Satellite		AMSR2	AMSR-E
Spec. ^*1	Area	Global over ocean
	Spatial Resolution	approx. 30 km
	Release accuracy	±0.8 ℃ ^*3
	Range	-2 〜 35 ℃
Latest Version		AMSR2: ver. 4.411.411 2022-07-27 release	AMSR-E: ver.8.300.300 2019-07-05 release
Product Period		AMSR2: July 3, 2012 〜	AMSR-E: July 1 ,2002 〜 October 4, 2011
Data Download		Globe Portal System (G-Portal)	Globe Portal System (G-Portal)
Data Format		HDF5 AMSR2 Higher Level Format 2.7MB
Stored Data		AMSR2: (1) 6GHz SST [℃], (2) 10GHz SST [℃], (3) Multi-band SST [℃] ^*4	AMSR-E: (1) 6GHz SST [℃], (2) 10GHz SST [℃] ^*5
Data Quality Flag		L2 SST Quality Flag 289KB
Algorithm Version		v4.1 (Algorithm Description, 3.9MB PDF page 33 )
Validation Result		Update of AMSR2 SST, 10GHz and Multiband SST to Ver4.1 3.5MB

The specifications are defined in the AMSR2 Mission Requirement.
Swath data is a format in which data for each footprint is stored in a two-dimensional array (observation points in scanning direction x number of scanning lines) in order of observation time.
Except sea ice and precipitating areas.
The second and third layers of the AMSR2 standard product "6GHz SST" contain the research products "10GHz SST" (ver. 2.1 or later) and "Multi-band SST" (ver. 4.0 or later).
The second layer of the AMSR-E standard product "6GHz SST" contain the research products "10GHz SST" (ver. 2.0 or later).

Reference

Shibata, A., 2007: Effect of air-sea temperature difference on ocean microwave brightness temperature estimated from AMSR, SeaWinds, and buoys, J. Oceanogr., 63(5), 863-872., doi: 10.1007/s10872-007-0073-y

Shibata, A., 2006: Features of ocean microwave emission changed by wind at 6 GHz, J. Oceanogr., 62(3), 321-330., doi: 10.1007/s10872-006-0057-3

Shibata, A., 2004: AMSR/AMSR-E SST algorithm developments: removal of ocean wind effect, Italian J. Remote Sensing, 30/31: 131-142.

Revision History

July 27, 2022

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 4.1 release

Update of AMSR2 SST, 10GHz and Multiband SST to Ver4.1

3.5MB

Release note

187KB

October 12, 2020

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 4.0 release

Updates of AMSR2 Level 2 (Geophysical Parameters) to Ver.4 (Research Product)

1.1MB PDF page 3

July 5, 2019

AMSR-E Standard Product SST ver. 8 release (HDF5 AMSR2 Higher Level Format)

Reprocessing by applying the AMSR2 algorithm

Extension of swath width from 196 points to 243 points

Compliant with AMSR2 HDF5 format

Back Number

▸

March 1, 2017

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 3.0

AMSR2 Products Update

1.5MB PDF page 7

March 26, 2015

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 2.0/2.1

AMSR2 L2 Product

12MB PDF page 25

Data Catalog
Ocean
Multi-band SST

Multi-band Sea Surface Temperature
(Research Product)

Multi-band sea surface temperature (Multi-band SST) is a research product processed by inputting brightness temperatures in three frequency bands (6.925 GHz, 7.3 GHz, and 10.65 GHz).

Future of Multi-band SST

Multi-band SST is a composite product of SSTs from three frequency bands (6.925 GHz, 7.3 GHz, and 10.65 GHz) that can be used to estimate SSTs.

Reduction of deficiencies due to artificial radio interference, etc.

Estimation of sea surface temperature closer to the coast compared to 6G SST.

Improved accuracy in low temperature regions compared to 10G SST.

Multi-band SST

June 1, 2021 Ascending
6GHz SST

June 1, 2021 Ascending

10GHz SST

June 1, 2021 Ascending

Data Distribution

Multi-band SSTs are stored and distributed in the third layer of "Geophysical Data" of AMSR2 SST standard products. Please note that it is not stored in the AMSR-E standard product.

Product Overview

Product Name		Multi-band Sea Surface Temperature
Product Type		Research Product
Processing Level		L2 (Swath data ^*2) and L3 (Grid data: EQR)
Product ID		SST
Satellite		AMSR2
Spec. ^*1	Area	Global over ocean
	Spatial Resolution	30 〜 50 km
	Release accuracy	±0.8 ℃ ^*3
	Range	-2 〜 35 ℃
Latest Version		AMSR2: ver. 4.411.411 2022-07-27 release
Product Period		AMSR2: July 3, 2012 〜
Data Download		Globe Portal System (G-Portal)
Data Format		HDF5 AMSR2 Higher Level Format 2.7MB
Stored Data		AMSR2: (1) 6GHz SST [℃], (2) 10GHz SST [℃], (3) Multi-band SST [℃] ^*4
Data Quality Flag		L2 SST Quality Flag 289KB
Algorithm Version		v4.1 (Algorithm Description, 3.9MB PDF page 33 )
Validation Result		Update of AMSR2 SST, 10GHz and Multiband SST to Ver4.1 3.5MB

The specifications are defined in the AMSR2 Mission Requirement.
Swath data is a format in which data for each footprint is stored in a two-dimensional array (observation points in scanning direction x number of scanning lines) in order of observation time.
Except sea ice and precipitating areas.
The second and third layers of the AMSR2 standard product "6GHz SST" contain the research products "10GHz SST" (ver. 2.1 or later) and "Multi-band SST" (ver. 4.0 or later).

Reference

Shibata, A., 2007: Effect of air-sea temperature difference on ocean microwave brightness temperature estimated from AMSR, SeaWinds, and buoys, J. Oceanogr., 63(5), 863-872., doi: 10.1007/s10872-007-0073-y

Shibata, A., 2006: Features of ocean microwave emission changed by wind at 6 GHz, J. Oceanogr., 62(3), 321-330., doi: 10.1007/s10872-006-0057-3

Shibata, A., 2004: AMSR/AMSR-E SST algorithm developments: removal of ocean wind effect, Italian J. Remote Sensing, 30/31: 131-142.

Revision History

July 27, 2022

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 4.1 release

Update of AMSR2 SST, 10GHz and Multiband SST to Ver4.1

3.5MB

Release note

187KB

October 12, 2020

AMSR2 Standard Product SST ver. 4.0 release

Updates of AMSR2 Level 2 (Geophysical Parameters) to Ver.4 (Research Product)

1.1MB PDF page 6

Data Catalog
Ocean
Sea Surface Wind Speed

Sea Surface Wind Speed
(Standard Product)

Wind speed above the ocean surface. Coverage of the product is over the ocean only, and unit is [m/s]. Microwave radiometer can observe wind speed under the clouds, but it is difficult to estimate where there is rainfall and will be missing value. Wind speed around tropical cyclones, however, is important parameter in weather forecast, and we provide research product, which includes wind speed in rainy area over the ocean, as all-weather wind speed research product.

Product Overview

Product Name		Sea Surface Wind Speed DOI
Product Type		Standard Product
Processing Level		L2 (Swath data ^*2) and L3 (Grid data: EQR)
Product ID		SSW

Satellite		AMSR3	AMSR2	AMSR-E
Spec. ^*1	Area	Global over ocean	Global over ocean
	Spatial Resolution	approx. 15 km	approx. 15 km
	Standard accuracy	1.0 m/s ^*3	±1.0 m/s ^*3
	Range	0 〜 30 m/s	0 〜 30 m/s
Latest Version		In preparation	AMSR2: ver. 4.400.400 2020-10-12 release	AMSR-E: ver.8.300.300 2019-07-05 release
Product Period		AMSR3: August 11, 2025 〜 (Not provided)	AMSR2: July 3, 2012 〜	AMSR-E: July 1 ,2002 〜 October 4, 2011
Data Download		In preparation	Globe Portal System (G-Portal)	Globe Portal System (G-Portal)
Data Format		In preparation	HDF5 AMSR2 Higher Level Format 2.7MB	AMSR-E Level2 Format description 757KB AMSR-E Level3 Format description 1.03MB
Stored Data		Sea Surface Wind Speed [m/s]	Sea Surface Wind Speed [m/s]	Sea Surface Wind Speed [m/s]
Data Quality Flag		In preparation	AMSR2 L2 SSW Quality Flag 250KB
Algorithm Version		In preparation	AMSR2 v4.0 (Algorithm Description 3.9MB PDF page 48 )
Validation Result		In preparation	Updates of AMSR2 Level 2 (Geophysical Parameters) to Ver.4 (Standard Product) 2.2MB PDF page 7

The specifications are defined in the AMSR3 Mission Requirement (In preparation) and AMSR2 Mission Requirement.
Swath data is a format in which data for each footprint is stored in a two-dimensional array (observation points in scanning direction x number of scanning lines) in order of observation time.
Except sea ice and precipitating areas.

Reference

Shibata, A., 2012: Ocean wind speed retrieval algorithm using the frequency 36 GHz vertical/horizontal and 6 GHz horizontal data of the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR). European Journal of Remote Sensing 45: 133-140., doi: 10.5721/EuJRS20124513

Shibata, A., 2006: A wind speed retrieval algorithm by combining 6 and 10 GHz data from Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer: wind speed inside hurricanes. J. Oceanogr., 52(3), pp.351-359., doi: 10.1007/s10872-006-0060-8

Revision History

October 12, 2020

AMSR2 Standard Product SSW ver. 4.0 release

Updates of AMSR2 Level 2 (Geophysical Parameters) to Ver.4 (Standard Product)

2.2MB PDF page 7

July 5, 2019

AMSR-E Standard Product SST ver. 8 release (HDF5 AMSR2 Higher Level Format)

Reprocessing by applying the AMSR2 algorithm

Extension of swath width from 196 points to 243 points

Compliant with AMSR2 HDF5 format

Back Number

▸

March 1, 2017

AMSR2 Standard Product SSW ver. 3.0

AMSR2 Products Update

1.5MB PDF page 7

March 26, 2015

AMSR2 Standard Product SSW ver. 2.0/2.1

AMSR2 L2 Product

12MB PDF page 27

July 9, 2013

AMSR2 Standard Product SSW ver. 1.0

AMSR2 L2 Product

3.7MB PDF page 7

September 29, 2011

AMSR-E Standard Product SSW ver. 7 release

March 12, 2007

AMSR-E Standard Product SSW ver. 5 release

March 15, 2006

AMSR-E Standard Product SSW ver. 4 release

March 1, 2005

AMSR-E Standard Product SSW ver. 3 release

March 12, 2004

AMSR-E Standard Product SSW ver. 2 release

September 19, 2003

AMSR-E Standard Product SSW ver. 1 release

Data Catalog
Ocean
All-weather SSW

All-weather Sea Surface Wind Speed
(Standard Product, Research Product)

The All-weather Sea surface Wind speed (ASW) research product compliments Sea Surface Wind speed (SSW) standard product and can estimate wind speed under tropical cyclones (typhoons, hurricanes, cyclones) or heavy rainfall regions where SSW product cannot estimate by using 6- and 10-GHz horizontal polarization channels.

Feature of ASW

6- and 10-GHz channels have advantage that they are less affected by microwave attenuation by rainfall, cloud and water vapor compared to other higher frequency channels By utilizing this advantage, we estimate sea surface wind speed under rainfall area and distribute it as research product. AMSR2 ASW is routinely used in the typhoon analysis by the Japan Meteorological Agency because of its unique capability to estimate wind speed around center of tropical cyclones that had been difficult to estimate by satellite previously.

Spatial resolution of the ASW research product is about 60-km and is coarser than that of SSW standard product, which is about 15-km.

Comparison of ASW and SSW

Figures 1-3 show images of Typhoon HIGOS observed by AMSR2 on February 10, 2015. In the heavy rainfall area at the center of the typhoon, as seen in the precipitation distribution image, the sea surface wind speed are calculated for the ASW. The standard product SSW does not provide valid data, and the data is missing (black area in the center of the image).

Fig.3: Precipitation

February 10, 2015

Typhoon HIGOS

Product Overview

Product Name		All-weather Sea Surface Wind Speed
Product Type		Standard Product,Research Product
Processing Level		L2 (Swath data ^*2) and L3 (Grid data: EQR)
Product ID		ASW

Satellite		AMSR3	AMSR2
Product Type		Standard Product	Research Product
Spec. ^*1	Area	Global over ocean	Global over ocean
	Spatial Resolution	approx. 50 km	approx. 60 km
	Standard/Release accuracy	5 m/s ^*3	±7 m/s ^*3
	Range	0 〜 70 m/s	0 〜 70 m/s
Latest Version		In preparation	AMSR2: ver. 3.301.300 2022-07-22 release
Product Period		AMSR3: August 11, 2025 〜 (Not provided)	AMSR2: July 3, 2012 〜
Data Download		In preparation	AMSR Research Product Distribution Service
Data Format		In preparation	HDF5 AMSR2 Higher Level Format 2.7MB
Stored Data		Sea Surface Wind Speed [m/s]	Sea Surface Wind Speed [m/s]
Data Quality Flag		In preparation	AMSR2 L2 ASW ver. 3.01 Quality Flag 250KB AMSR2 L2 ASW ver. 1.02 Quality Flag 252KB
Algorithm Version		In preparation	v3.0 (Algorithm Description, 3.9MB PDF page 48 )
Validation Result		In preparation	AMSR2 Research Product (ver. 3) 337KB AMSR2 Research Product (ver. 1) 925KB PDF page 6

The specifications are defined in the AMSR3 Mission Requirement (In preparation) and AMSR2 Mission Requirement.
Swath data is a format in which data for each footprint is stored in a two-dimensional array (observation points in scanning direction x number of scanning lines) in order of observation time.
Except sea ice areas. The goal accuracy is defined for the wind speed more than 17 m/s.

Reference

Shibata, A., 2012: Ocean wind speed retrieval algorithm using the frequency 36 GHz vertical/horizontal and 6 GHz horizontal data of the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR). European Journal of Remote Sensing 45: 133-140., doi: 10.5721/EuJRS20124513

Shibata, A., 2006: A wind speed retrieval algorithm by combining 6 and 10 GHz data from Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer: wind speed inside hurricanes. J. Oceanogr., 52(3), pp.351-359., doi: 10.1007/s10872-006-0060-8

Revision History

January 11, 2018

AMSR2 Research Product ASW ver. 3.0

AMSR2 Research Product (ver.3 update)

337KB

October 9, 2015

AMSR2 Research Product ASW ver. 1.0

AMSR2 Research Product (ver.1 release)

925KB PDF page 6

Sea Surface Temperature (Standard Product)

Product Overview

Reference

Revision History

High - resolution Sea Surface Temperature (Research Product)

Product Overview

Reference

Revision History

10GHz Sea Surface Temperature (Research Product)

Future of 10GHz SST

Data Distribution

Product Overview

Reference

Revision History

Multi-band Sea Surface Temperature (Research Product)

Future of Multi-band SST

Data Distribution

Product Overview

Reference

Revision History

Sea Surface Wind Speed (Standard Product)

Product Overview

Reference

Revision History

All-weather Sea Surface Wind Speed (Standard Product, Research Product)

Feature of ASW

Comparison of ASW and SSW

Product Overview

Reference

Revision History

Sea Surface Temperature
(Standard Product)

High - resolution Sea Surface Temperature
(Research Product)

10GHz Sea Surface Temperature
(Research Product)

Multi-band Sea Surface Temperature
(Research Product)

Sea Surface Wind Speed
(Standard Product)

All-weather Sea Surface Wind Speed
(Standard Product, Research Product)