FAQ about GOSAT Research Announcement
1. What is the Research Announcement?
The Research Announcement (RA) is issued in order to solicit proposal of research
topics from the world in order to promote the scientific researches on the observation
data of Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) which is scheduled to be
launched in early 2009. Among the GOSAT Project members, basic research activities
are scheduled to be conducted. However, the RA is issued expecting more fruitful
scientific results from other worldwide research groups. In addition, in order to generate
the data products with higher accuracy, the RA solicits, from public, study proposals on
data processing algorithms, calibration, and validation. All research proposals
responding to this RA will be subject to the evaluation process by the GOSAT RA
Selection and Evaluation Committee and will be selected by the Three Parties (JAXA,
NIES, and MOE)
If selected, the proposal will be granted for：(1) the standard data
distribution in early stage and the right to access to the research products, (2) the right to
make observation requests, (3) the accommodation in obtaining other related data, etc.
2. Is it possible to submit data acquisition request by specifying the measurement
point?
Yes, it is possible. Please refer to the RA text chapter 7 Qualifications.
3. What kind of product is available?
The product shown in the table will be provided to the RA investigator. To general
users, standard product will be provided after validation and confirmation process of the
accuracy to be conducted by the responsible person of the project and the other RA
investigator. In contrast, for the detail of the available data to the RA investigator,
please see chapter 4 Data Policy of the RA text.
Table: List of GOSAT products
Processing
level
Sensor
/band
Product Name
FTS
FTS L1A　data
CAI
CAI L1A　data
L1A
L1B
L1B+
Internal
(※）
FTS scene
HDF5
CAI scene
HDF5
FTS scene
HDF5
CAI frame
HDF5
Any
(on-demand)
HDF5
FTS L1B　data
CAI
CAI L1B data
Standard
CAI
CAI L1B+ data
Standard
L2 CO2 column amount (SWIR)
Standard
L2 CH4 column amount (SWIR)
Standard
FTS TIR
FTS SWIR
FTS TIR
L3
CAI
L4B
Format
FTS
CAI
L4A
Unit
Internal
(※）
Standard
FTS SWIR
L2
Category
L2 H2O column amount (SWIR)
Research
L2 CO2 column amount (TIR)
Research
L2 CH4 column amount (TIR)
Research
L2 CO2 profile (TIR)
Standard
L2 CH4 profie (TIR)
Standard
L2　Temperature profile (TIR)
Research
L2 H2O profile (TIR)
Research
L2 H2O column amount (TIR)
Research
L2 cloud flag
Standard
L2 cloud property
Research
L2 Aerosol Product
Research
L3 global CO2 distribution (SWIR)
Standard
L3 global CH4 distribution (SWIR)
Standard
L3 global CO2 distribution (TIR)
Standard
L3 global CH4 distribution (TIR)
Standard
L3 global radiance distribution (all pixels)
Standard
L3 global radiance distribution (clear sky)
Standard
L3 global cloud property
Research
L3 global aerosol property
Research
L3 global NDVI
Standard
L4A global CO2 flux
Standard
L4A global CH4 flux
Research
L4B global CO2 distribution
Standard
L4B global CH4 distribution
Research
-
-
Any
(on-demand)
HDF5
CAI frame
HDF5
Global
(monthly or
quarterly average)
HDF5
Global
(every 3 days)
Global
(monthly or
quarterly average)
Global (bi-weekly)
64 locations across
the globe (annually)
64 locations across
the globe (annually)
Global 2.5° mesh
(monthly)
Global 2.5° mesh
(monthly)
HDF5
HDF5
HDF5
text
text
NetCDF
NetCDF
4. When will the data distribution start?
Refer to page 8 of the RA text.
As for the standard products, in general, L1 products at the C stages are planned to be
released nine (9) months after the launch, and L2 and L3 products at the C stages are
planned one (1) year after the launch, whereas L4 products at the C stage are expected
to be ready in two (2) years after the launch.
The RA Investigators who will be
engaged in research on processing algorithms, calibration and validation (RA*) will
have the right to access to L1 products at the P stages, before calibration, from three (3)
months after the launch and L2 and L3 (standard) products, before validation at the P
stages from four (4) months after the launch.
The other RA investigators will be
allowed to access the validated L1 products at the Ca stages from six (6) months after
the launch and the L2 and L3 (standard) products at the V stages from nine (9) months
or later after the launch.
Table: The time of delivery for standard product
A necessary range of observations is offered to the RA investigator regarding the
research product.
5．Can data be acquired by specifying the measurement point?
If the study proposal is accepted, the measurement point can be specified for
observation request. However, it is judged whether the observation request will be
conducted or not, based on its adaptability, necessity, and emergency.
6．What is the advantage of the RA investigator?
Please refer to RA text 8.1. Main advantage is three of the following.
(1) Requesting a delivery of standard products before the release to the public.
(2) Requesting a delivery of research products of the research on the selected theme.
(3) Submitting requests for new data acquisition necessary for the implementation.