TES Science Data Products Specification

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

• TES Science Data Processing Data Products Specification Document Version 5.0, JPL D-22993, July 7, 2004. [.doc File] - for public released data, software release 6.

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 and Limb) || Level 2 (Nadir, Limb, 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.
• Each orbit contains 72 sequences with 2 nadir scans per sequence.
• The maximum number of target observations per file = 72 x 2 = 144.
• 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 = 144 x 16 = 2304.

File Structure (click to enlarge)

L1B Limb File   [Return to top]

• Each TES orbit (starting at the South Pole apex) has 4 limb data files corresponding to 4 focal planes.
• Each orbit contains 72 sequences with 3 limb scans per sequence.
• The maximum number of target observations per file = 72 x 3 = 216.
• Each focal plane uses 1 or 2 filters (depending upon which limb scan is used); see table below for filter identification and approximate spectral ranges.
• Each filter contains 16 pixels; the maximum number of spectra per file = 216 x 16 = 13824.

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).

File Structure (click to enlarge)

L2 Limb 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 three limb (interferometer) scans, which use different combinations of filters. See table below for species retrieved by each limb scan.
• The maximum number of retrieved profiles per species per limb scan = 16 x 72 = 1,152 sets, which form a single limb swath object.
• A limb file contains data for three swath objects with a maximum of 3,456 retrievals (1,152 x 3).
• The data in each swath object are organized by pressure level (87 reporting levels plus 1 surface level).

File Structure (click to enlarge)

L2 Ancillary File   [Return to top]

• One ancillary file is created for each global survey.
• An ancillary file contains data common to bothnadir and limb views.
• Each ancillary file consists of 4 swaths: Nadir, Limb 1, Limb 2, and Limb 3.

File Structure (click to enlarge)

L3 File   [Return to top]

There are no Level 3 files at this time.