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NLR Solar Radiation Research Laboratory (AOD)

NLR Solar Radiation Research Laboratory (AOD)

Latitude: 39.7423o North
Longitude: 105.1785o West
Elevation: 1828.8 AMSL
Time Zone: MST

Data sets currently available on SRRL AOD web site

A multi-channel photometer can be used to calculate the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) at various wavelengths. The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) has purchased a 7-channel Prede POM-01 Photometer. This system collects raw photometer data that is then sent to International SKYNET Data Center for data processing every hour. The processed AOD results are then posted on the SKYNET web site. NLR grabs this data and posts it to the MIDC web site so that can be readily available with the Baseline Measurement System at SRRL. The SKYNET has three methods of processing data: ESR SunRad, ESR-MRI, and SR-CEReS methods, each method has two levels (except SR-CEReS). It may take SKYNET a couple days to process the daily level L2A data and a few months to process the monthly level L2 data which is then grabbed by NLR/MIDC on a daily basis (4 hours after midnight), therefore any real-time data that is posted to the MIDC web site could be a couple days behind for level L2A and a couple months behind for level L2. The level L2 data set is of higher quality than level L2A. SKYNET reprocesses all the level L2A data at the end of each month using a new solar calibration constant to produce the level L2 data, with the exception of SR-CEReS which goes directly to level L2 on a daily basis. Note: Prior to June 2022, data was sent to the European Sky Radiometers (ESR) Network for data processing and it produced two methods SkyNet SkyRad and the ESR SunRad Method (each with level 0 and level 1.1). Those older data sets have been removed and replaced with the new SKYNET data set.


For more information about this website or the data contact: Afshin Andreas