TES: Files

Files

The primary location for obtaining TES data is NASA's Warehouse Inventory Search Tool (WIST). The TES Data Sets page at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC ASDC) provides access to software read tools, a Data Pool, and supporting documentation.

TES Science Data Products Specification

The following document describes the detailed contents and formats for the TES standard data products.

TES Science Data Processing Standard and Special Observation Data Products Specifications, Version 11.8 (PDF, 777 KB), ESDT Version 4, JPL D-22993, June 5, 2008 for science software release 11.1.

In addition to the specifications in the DPS, the TES Level 2 Standard Products follow the HDF-EOS Aura File Format Guidelines which were established for all of the Instrument Teams on Aura.

The pages below offer very brief descriptions on TES product file structures:

Level 1B (Nadir ) || Level 2 (Nadir and Ancillary) || Level 3

L1B Nadir File [Return to top]

Each TES orbit (starting at the South Pole apex) has 4 nadir data files corresponding to 4 focal planes. As of July 30, 2008, each orbit contains 48 sequences with 2 nadir scans per sequence (Click here for information on prior Global Survey configurations). The maximum number of target observations per file = 48 x 2 = 96. Each focal plane uses a corresponding filter; see table below for filter identification and approximate spectral ranges. Each filter contains 16 pixels; the maximum number of spectra per file = 96 x 16 = 1536.

Range of Filters for Nadir Scans
	Focal Plane 2B	Focal Plane 1B	Focal Plane 2A	Focal Plane 1A
Nadir-1 and Nadir-2	650-900 cm^-1	950-1150 cm^-1	1100-1325 cm^-1	1900-2250 cm^-1

File Structure (click to enlarge)

L2 Nadir File [Return to top]

Each file consists of global survey data for a single species (or temperature).
During a global survey, there are a maximum of 16 orbits with 72 sequences per orbit.
Each global survey sequence has two nadir (interferometer) scans, which stare at a sinble ground location. The two nadir scans are merged during the retrieval process. See table below for species retrieved by the nadir scans.
The maximum number of retrieved profiles per species' file = 16 x 72 = 1,152 sets, which form a nadir swath object.
The data in each swath object are organized by pressure level (87 reporting levels plus 1 surface level).

Species Retrieved by Nadir Scans
Swath Objects	H₂O	O₃	CH₄	CO	HNO₃	AtmT
Nadir 1 and 2	x	x	x	x	x	x

Definitions for Dimensions used in L2 Files
Dimension	nTimes	nLevels	nUARS	nFreq
	maximum 1,152 observation sets	88 pressure levels (87 UARS levels plus 1 surface level)	87 standard UARS levels	103 frequencies in surface emissivity

File Structure (click to enlarge)

L2 Ancillary File [Return to top]

One ancillary file is created for each global survey.
Prior to 4/24/05, ancillary files contained data common to both nadir and limb views.
Since 4/25/05, each ancillary file consists of a single swath. Prior t o4/24/05, each ancillary file consisted of 4 swaths: Nadir, Limb 1, Limb 2, and Limb 3. (Click here for information on prior Global Survey configurations).

Definitions for Dimensions used in L2 Files
Dimension	nTimes	nLevels	nUARS	nFreq
	maximum 1,152 observation sets	88 pressure levels (87 UARS levels plus 1 surface level)	87 standard UARS levels	103 frequencies in surface emissivity

File Structure (click to enlarge)

Level 3 Products [Return to top]

Each L3 file is an interpolated L2 Global Survey profile collected onto a global grid.
L3 data is provided at uniform grids in latitude and longitude and at selected pressure levels
A separate product file is produced for each different atmospheric species.
The product file may contain, in separate folders, nadir data, limb data, or both folders may be present.
The data granules defined for L3 standard products are “daily” and “monthly”.
Browse plots and images are also available for "daily" and "monthly" averages.
Daily L3 products represent a single Global Survey (approximately 26 hours) and monthly L3 products represent Global Surveys that are initiated within that calendar month.
For nadir observations, L3 standard products are produced for the molecular species: H2O, O3, CO, CH4, HDO, and AtmT (atmospheric temperature). For limb observations that were acquired during Global Surveys (prior to May 2005), L3 standard products can be produced for the molecular species: H2O, O3, CO, CH4, HDO, HNO3, and AtmT (atmospheric temperature).

The table below illustrates the molecular species and temperature reported for L2 nadir and limb retrievals, and which profiles are processed by the standard L3 Product PGEs.

Species	H₂O	O₃	CH₄	CO	HNO3	HDO	AtmT
Nadir Swath Object	X	X	X	X	-	X	X
Limb Swath Object	X	X	-	-	X	X	X

File Structure for L3 Daily (click to enlarge)

File Structure for L3 Monthly (click to enlarge)

For additional information on file structure and attributes for all TES data products, refer to the latest Data Product Specifications document.