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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPURS-2 shipboard X-band radar backscatter data for the E. Tropical Pacific field campaign | 1.0 | Ships | RADAR | 2017-10-21 to 2017-11-13 |
N: 10.355 S: 8.927 E: -122.151 W: -129.131 |
1 Meters x 1 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| QuikSCAT Scatterometer Inter-Calibrated ESDR Level 3 Ocean Surface Equivalent Neutral Wind Vectors and Wind Stress Version 1.0 | 1.0 | QUIKSCAT | SEAWINDS | 1999-10-27 to 2009-11-24 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.125 Decimal Degrees x 0.125 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
| WHOI mooring CTD, surface flux and meterorological data for the SPURS-1 N. Atlantic field campaign | 1.0 | Mooring | CTD, MMS | 2012-09-14 to 2013-09-30 |
N: 24.6 S: 24 E: -38 W: -38 |
1 Meters x 1 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| SPURS-2 PICO mooring data for the E. Tropical Pacific field campaign | 1.0 | Mooring | CTD, MMS | 2016-08-22 to 2017-11-03 |
N: 11 S: 9.047 E: -124.958 W: -125 |
1 Meters x 1 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| Saildrone Arctic field campaign surface and ADCP measurements for NOPP-MISST project | 1.0 | Saildrone | PYROMETERS, ADCP, CTD, ANEMOMETERS, FLUOROMETERS, BAROMETERS | 2019-05-14 to 2019-10-11 |
N: 75.5 S: 53.8 E: -146.1 W: -168.7 |
netCDF-4 | |
| SPURS-2 shipboard X-band radar backscatter images for the 2016 E. Tropical Pacific field campaign | 1.0 | Ships | RADAR | 2016-08-31 to 2016-09-22 |
N: 10.355 S: 8.927 E: -122.151 W: -129.131 |
1 Meters x 1 Meters | png |
| GHRSST Level 2P Sea Surface Temperature version 1.0 from the Electro-Optical Infrared Weather System Geostationary (EWSG2) produced by NAVO | 1.0 | GOES-15 | GOES-15 Imager | 2023-12-03 to Present |
N: 65 S: -65 E: 140 W: -20 |
4000 Meters x 4000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| Multi-Mission Optimally Interpolated Sea Surface Salinity Global Dataset V1 | 1.0 | SMAP, SAC-D, SMOS | SMAP L-BAND RADIOMETER, AQUARIUS_SCATTEROMETER | 2011-08-24 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.25 Decimal Degrees x 0.25 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
| Ecomapper data for the SPURS-1 N. Atlantic field campaign | 1.0 | Ecomapper | OXYGEN METERS, FLUOROMETERS, CTD, TURBIDITY METERS | 2012-09-29 to 2012-09-30 |
N: 27 S: 26 E: -38 W: -39 |
1 Meters x 1 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| Hourly Ocean Bottom Pressure at the North Pole from the Arctic Bottom Pressure Recorder Follow On Version 1.0 | 1.0 | MOORINGS | BOTTOM PRESSURE GAUGES | 2022-08-14 to 2023-08-17 | netCDF-4 |
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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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