First GPM Data Now Public
The first set of data from the Global Precipitation Measurement mission is now available to the public.
The data set consists of GPM Microwave Imager instrument observations, called brightness temperatures. Brightness temperatures are a measurement of naturally occurring energy radiated, in this case, by precipitation particles like raindrops or snowflakes. Other data sets, like the rain rate information, will be released later this summer. By themselves, however, the brightness temperatures convey valuable data on the location and structure of storm systems – including tropical cyclones and hurricanes. The earlier-than-expected data release is part of an effort to give forecasters the best possible data for the full summer Atlantic hurricane season.
Credit: NASA Goddard Science Visualization Studio/JAXA
All GPM data products will be released to the public by September 2. Current and future data sets are available to registered users from NASA Goddard's Precipitation Processing Center website at: http://pps.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Credit: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team