The current software has been developed to work on NASA instrument datasets, an upgrade over similar software that only worked on datasets from climate model output. NASA is attempting to reformat satellite data to fit the specific and highly detailed data format and metadata requirements for CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5). This software has relieved science data teams from multiple instruments from the task of understanding and conforming to the CMIP5 data requirements.

The software reads in netcdf files, combined with select metadata input from the user, and intelligently calls functions from the CMOR (Climate Model Output Rewriter) library to write out new netcdf files in the proper format for inclusion in CMIP5. Currently, the software is capable of ingesting data from AIRS (Atmospheric Infrared Sounder), MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder), TES (Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer), MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), AVISO (French space agency data provider), and QuikSCAT (Quick Scatterometer).

The unique feature is integration of the CMOR function library, written in C, with code able to understand the output of science data teams. Many conventions used in the climate modeling community differ radically from those used in the observational data community, and this software serves as a bridge between the two.

This work was done by Steven J. Lewis of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Dan Broderick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. NPO-48258