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Ocean Data Access and Tools
NASA data span the geophysical parameters that characterize the global ocean and the physical processes operating within its depths and at its surface. Our datasets and tools help researchers translate these interconnected data points into actionable knowledge.
Ocean Datasets
| Dataset | Version Sort ascending | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GHRSST Level 2P Global Sea Surface Temperature v2.0 from the AVHRR on the MetOp-A satellite produced by NAVO | 2.0 | METOP-A | AVHRR-3 | 2020-06-29 |
N: 80 S: -70 E: 180 W: -180 |
4000 Meters x 4000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| Black Sea Ultra High Resolution SST L4 Analysis 0.01 deg Resolution | 2.0 | Aqua, MSG, Terra, NOAA-19, METOP-A, ENVISAT | MODIS, SEVIRI, AVHRR-3, AVHRR, AATSR | 2007-12-31 |
N: 48.812 S: 38.75 E: 42.375 W: 26.375 |
0.01 Decimal Degrees x 0.01 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
| SWOT Level 2 Nadir Altimeter Geophysical Data Record with Waveforms - SSHA | 2.0 | SWOT | Jason-class Altimeter, AMR | 2022-12-16 |
N: 77.6 S: -77.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
netCDF-4 | |
| Ocean Surface Current Analyses Real-time (OSCAR) Surface Currents - Interim 0.25 Degree (Version 2.0) | 2.0 | NOAA-14, JASON-1, TOPEX/POSEIDON, NOAA-17, GRACE, OSTM/JASON-2, DMSP 5D-2/F10, DMSP 5D-2/F11, ERS-2, GFO, NOAA-16, NOAA-19, ENVISAT, QUIKSCAT, DMSP 5D-2/F14, ERS-1, DMSP 5D-2/F13, NOAA-20, METOP-A, JASON-3 | AVHRR-2, JASON-1 Microwave Radiometer, POSEIDON-2, ALT (TOPEX), TMR, SSALT, AVHRR-3, GRACE-FO ACC, GRACE-FO KBR, GRACE SCA, AMR, POSEIDON-3, SSM/I, ERS-2 Altimeter, GFO Altimeter, RA-2, SEAWINDS, ERS-1 ALTIMETER, POSEIDON-3B | 2020-01-01 to Present |
N: 89.75 S: -89.75 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.25 Decimal Degrees x 0.25 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
| GHRSST Level 4 OSTIA Global Foundation Sea Surface Temperature Analysis (GDS version 2) | 2.0 | GOES-16, TRMM, METEOSAT-9, NOAA-20, BUOYS, METOP-A | ABI, TMI, SEVIRI, AVHRR-3, DRIFTING BUOYS | 2006-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.05 Decimal Degrees x 0.05 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
| SWOT Level 2 Nadir Altimeter Geophysical Data Record with Waveforms - SGDR | 2.0 | SWOT | Jason-class Altimeter, AMR | 2022-12-16 |
N: 77.6 S: -77.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
netCDF-4 | |
| NSCAT Level 3 Daily Gridded Ocean Surface Wind Vectors (JPL) | 2 | ADEOS-I | NSCAT | 1996-09-15 to 1997-06-30 |
N: 75 S: -75 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.5 Decimal Degrees x 0.5 Decimal Degrees | HDF |
| Lightning Instrument Package (LIP) IMPACTS V2 | 2 | NASA ER-2 | LIP | 2020-01-15 to 2023-03-02 |
N: 48.66 S: 26.91 E: -64.89 W: -123.62 |
ASCII | |
| CAR SCAR-B BRDF Measurements L1 V2 (CAR_SCARB_BRDF) at GES DISC | 2 | C-131A | CAR | 1995-08-18 to 1995-09-06 |
N: -8.0747 S: -12.7274 E: -47.9698 W: -62.6517 |
||
| NSCAT High-Resolution MGDR, Sigma-0 and Ocean Wind Vectors (Dunbar) | 2 | ADEOS-I | NSCAT | 1996-09-15 to 1997-06-29 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
25000 Meters x 25000 Meters | RAW |
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Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Platform
SWOT provides detailed surface topography and monitors water body changes over time. The platform enables high-resolution ocean monitoring at 15-150 km spatial scales, tracking ocean currents, coastal dynamics, storm surges, and regional sea level changes. On land, SWOT measures water storage changes in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and wetlands, supporting river discharge estimates for water resource assessment.
Researchers explore using SWOT data to derive two-dimensional estimates of sea ice thickness.
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Swath Visualizer provides a visualization of two instruments’ coverage of Earth's surface: the Ka-band Radar Interferometer and altimeter.
SWOT presents opportunities and challenges in characterizing sea surface height anomalies.
Ocean Data Tools
| Tool Sort descending | Description | Services | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SeaDAS | Sea, earth, atmosphere Data Analysis System (SeaDAS) is a comprehensive image analysis package for the processing, display, analysis, and quality control of ocean color data. | Analysis, Visualization, Processing | |
| SOTO | State of the Ocean (SOTO) is an interactive web-based tool that generates informative maps, animations, and plots that communicate and prove the discovery and analysis of the state of the oceans. | Analysis, Search and Discovery, Visualization | |
| STREAM | STREAM is a rapid water quality monitoring tool that processes satellite imagery to create maps showing chlorophyll-a, Total Suspended Solids, and water clarity at 20-30 meter resolution. | Processing | |
| SWOT Swath Visualizer | The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Swath Visualizer provides a visualization of two instruments’ coverage of Earth's surface: the Ka-band Radar Interferometer and altimeter. | Analysis, Data Curation, Visualization | |
| Worldview | Worldview offers the capability to interactively browse over 1,200 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. | Analysis, Search and Discovery, Visualization, Access, Comparison, Monitoring Natural Events |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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