SeaWiFS Mission Reprocessing #5

[genecarlfeldman]

Good Morning,
The Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG) has
recently completed MODIS/Aqua Reprocessing #1
http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov (/REPROCESSING/Aqua/R1/).
During the preparation for that reprocessing,
a great many improvements were made not only to
the MODIS-specific implementation of the various
algorithms, but to our overall understanding
of how best to retrieve the most accurate
ocean color retrievals possible at this
time. Consequently, we believe that there is
sufficient motivation for initiating a complete
reprocessing of the SeaWiFS data set (September
1997 - December 23, 2004) at this time in order
to capitalize on our improved knowledge and
to maintain consistency with MODIS/Aqua. The
proposed changes include minor enhancements
to the atmospheric algorithms, adoption of
the Thuillier solar irradiance model, and
modifications to the definition of normalized
water leaving radiance (nLw). In addition, the
SeaWiFS instrument calibration will be updated
to reflect the most complete information to
date on SeaWiFS temporal degradation, and a new
vicarious calibration based on a revised set of
MOBY measurements will be applied.
Since all of the changes that we are proposing
have already been thoroughly described and
disseminated leading up to the MODIS/Aqua
reprocessing that was just completed, it is our
intention to initiate the SeaWiFS reprocessing
later this week. Based on throughput that
we have demonstrated with the MODIS/Aqua
reprocessing, we anticipate that the complete
SeaWiFS mission reprocessing for the GAC ocean
products should be completed in approximately
two days. After that, the mergerd LAC (MLAC
which is comprised of the HRPT and LAC data)
data will be reprocessed to level-2 and then
the PAR and NDVI products will follow. At this
time, all of the reprocessed data files will be
available directly from the oceancolor web and we
will be talking with the Goddard DAAC regarding
the transfer of the reprocessed data into their
archive pending direction from NASA Headquarters.

As always, we welcome your comments and encourage
you to review the materials posted on the
oceancolor web regarding this reprocessing and
to use the oceancolor forum to ask any questions
that you might have. The direct link to the SeaWiFS
processing information is:
http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov (/REPROCESSING/SeaWiFS/R5/)

Best regards,
The Ocean Biology Processing Group