This directory contains data for the ISS-RapidScat Level 2B 12.5km science-quality Version 1.3 netCDF 
dataset. 
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This dataset contains the RapidScat Level 2B 12.5km Version 1.3 science-quality ocean surface wind 
vectors, which are intended as a replacement and continuation of the Version 1.1 and 1.2 data forward 
from orbital revolution number 7873, corresponding to 11 February 2016; on 11 Feb 2016, RapidScat entered 
it's 3rd low signal to noise ratio (SNR) state and the initial calibration of low SNR 3 was preliminary 
during the Version 1.2 release. The fundamental difference between Version 1.3 and the previous Version 
1.2 datasets is that the L1B sigma-0 has been re-calibrated during the periods of low SNR states 3 and 4 
using re-pointed QuikSCAT data. The Version 1.1 should still be considered valid up to the first rev of 
version 1.2 (5127), and similarly version 1.2 shall be considered valid up to the first rev of version 
1.3 (7873). The Level 2B wind vectors are binned on a 12.5 km Wind Vector Cell (WVC) grid and processed 
using the Level 2A Sigma-0 dataset. RapidScat is a Ku-band dual beam circular rotating scatterometer 
retaining much of the same hardware and functionality of QuikSCAT, with exception of the antenna 
sub-system and digital interface to the International Space Station (ISS) Columbus module, which is where 
RapidScat is mounted. The NASA mission is officially referred to as ISS-RapidScat. Unlike QuikSCAT, 
ISS-RapidScat is not in sun-synchronous orbit, and flies at roughly half the altitude with a low 
inclination angle that restricts data coverage to the tropics and mid-latitude regions; the extent of 
latitudinal coverage stretches from approximately 56 degrees North to 56 degrees South. Furthermore, 
there is no consistent local time of day retrieval. This dataset is provided in a netCDF-3 file format 
that follows the netCDF-4 classic model (i.e., generated by the netCDF-4 API) and made available via FTP 
and OPeNDAP.
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Cautionary Notes:

1) It is advised for users to avoid using the "wind_obj" variable since it is minimally applicable and 
meant primarily for quality assurance; for users who wish to access the objective function values for 
each ambiguity, it is suggested to use only the "ambiguity_obj" variable.

2) Due to the multi-operational roles of ISS, disruptions in the data flow and data retrieval for 
RapidScat occur much more frequently than stand-alone remote sensing platforms. Users depending on the 
availability of data within the last 14 days are therefore advised to defer to the near-real time updates 
provided by the following link at NOAA for adequate and timely information regarding any planned or 
ongoing data outages: http://manati.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/rscat_images/monitor/RapidScat_Scheduled_Outages.txt 

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Note: for users who wish to gain more information on instrument/spacecraft anomalies and outages, please 
refer to: http://manati.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/rscat_images/monitor/RapidScat_Scheduled_Outages.txt

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Directory contents (data files partitioned according to 4-digit years):
/2016

Note: The actual data files are contained within an additional layer of 3-digit day-of-year directories.

File naming convention:
rs_l2b_v1.3_RRRRR_YYYYMMDDHHmm.nc.gz

rs_l2b	Instrument/Level Identifier: RapidScat Level 2B
RRRRR	5-digit orbital revolution number
v1.3	Version ID: v1.2 = version 1.3
YYYY	4-digit year of data file creation date
MM	2-digit month of data file creation date
DD	2-digit day of month of data file creation date
HH	2-digit hour of 24-hour day of data file creation time
mm	2-digit minute of hour of data file creation time
nc	File extension: nc = netCDF
gz	GNU Zip file extension

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Please send any comments or questions to https://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/forum/.

Last modified on 26 October 2016.