What is AIRS Algorithm Version versus Data Collection?

[GES DISC - ingridgs]

Answer:

• Version 2.7 Algorithm produced Collection 1

• Version 3 Algorithm produced Collection 2

• Version 4 Algorithm produced Collection 3

• Version 5 Algorithm produces Collection 5

Starting with the delivery of Algorithm Version 4 in 2005, AIRS Instrument Team began to produce two types of retrievals due to the failure of HSB on February 5, 2003. Data types that encompass retrievals using HSB data will have "H" letter in the short name of the data type, e.g. AIRH2RET. Retrievals without HSB have the familiar names, e.g. AIRX2RET.

Documentation is associated with the Version of the Algorithm, which is embedded in the data filenames.

Data are organized and stored as Collections at GES DISC. Collections are different from the Algorithm Version until Version 5 where data version became the same as the collection. Our search engines will naturally show Collections.

Because reprocessing earlier data takes time and multiple months are scheduled concurrently, Collections generated by the previous Algorithm Version will necessarily coexist for a period of time along with Collections generated by the current Algorithm Version. Users are cautioned to double-check the Collection before downloading to ensure the data are those desired.