Level 2 Vertical Profile Data using Google Earth

TES Level 2 Special Observation of Esperanza Fire - October 26, 2006
The images above show profiles of carbon monoxide (CO) measured by TES on October 26, 2006 around 2:20 in the afternoon. The profiles show high amounts of CO in the lowest level of the atmosphere (shown as red in the images). These levels of CO are much higher than normal for the Los Angeles area. The CO has been injected into the atmosphere by the Esperanza wildfire which had started WNW of Palm Springs about 13 hours prior to the time of the TES measurements. The same Santa Ana wind conditions that caused the wildfire to grow pushed the pollution from the fire toward Oceanside, CA and along the Pacific Coast in San Diego County where it was observed by TES. Large wildfire events are known sources of high CO levels in the atmosphere. The image on the top shows the TES observations as viewed from the East, the image on the bottom shows the same TES measurements viewed from the Southwest. Profiles shown to 16km.

To view this Google Earth 'kmz' file, you must have first downloaded and installed the FREE Google Earth Viewer. You can obtain the FREE Google Earth Viewer at:

http://earth.google.com

After installing the viewer, you can double click the 'kmz' file to navigate the L2 Profile plot in 3D.

Here are some tips to try:

1. This is time series data, so you will need to use the time slider tool to see all the data.
   1. From the pull-down menu, VIEW-->Show Time-->Always
   2. Expand the start and stop markers to the extreme left and right of the slider

2. If you have a newer PC, you may want to boost the visual experience by adjusting the viewing options:
   1. From the pull-down menu, TOOLS-->OPTIONS-->3D
   2. Set Detail Area to 'Large'
   3. Set Terrain Quality to 'Higher(Slower)'
   4. Set Elevation Exaggeration to 3 (this will also exaggerate the displayed elevation of L2 Profile data) (optional)
   5. Toggle F11 to view full screen, F11 returns to default mode

3. To view the metadata for each Profile and Pressure Level depicted:
   1. From the Places menu on the side panel, expand the L2_Nadir_Profile_CO_5110.kmz tag
   2. The metadata is in the same order as on screen
   3. Double click a metadata sub-tag to fly to that Profile