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DMSP OLS - Operational Linescan System

Visible and infrared imagery from DMSP Operational Linescan System (OLS) instruments are used to monitor the global distribution of clouds and cloud top temperatures twice each day. The archive data set consists of low resolution global and high resolution regional, imagery recorded along a 3,000 km scan, satellite ephemeris and solar and lunar information. Infrared pixel values correspond to a temperature range of 190 to 310 Kelvins in 256 equally spaced steps. Onboard calibration is performed during each scan. Visible pixels are relative values ranging from 0 to 63 rather than absolute values in Watts per m^2. Instrumental gain levels are adjusted to maintain constant cloud reference values under varying conditions of solar and lunar illumination. Telescope pixel values are replaced by Photo Multiplier Tube (PMT) values at night. A telescope pixel is 0.55 km at high resolution (fine mode) and 2.7 km at low resolution(smooth mode). Low resolution
values are the mean of the appropriate 25 high resolution values.
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • OLS
gov.noaa.ngdc.stp.dmsp:G01119
XML
Other Access Online access information not available.
Distribution Formats Format not available
    Ordering Instructions Non-Digital Form: Poster: Atlantic Hurricanes, 1995 The 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was the second most active season in recorded history. During 1995, 12 named tropical cyclones formed in the Atlantic before the end of August, and by the end of the season 19 tropical cyclones had recieved names, eleven of the nineteen reached hurricane strength. Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at: http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01237-POS-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Poster: Most Intense Tropical Storms, 1996The 14 most intense tropical storms from the 1996 calendar year are shown with thermal infrared imagery from the DMSP Operational Linescan System. Each image is accompanied by the vital statistics of the storm, including maximum wind speed, date and time of the image, latitude and longitude of the eye, and duration of the storm. The roster of most intense tropical storms includes 7 typhoons, cyclones, and 2 hurricanes. Size: 24x36 inches. Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01238-POS-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Poster: Most Intense Tropical Storms, 1997This poster includes images and information for 10 typhoons, 2 cyclones, and 2 hurricanes. Hurricanes Linda and Guillermo were the only western-hemisphere storms to surpass 128 knots average wind speed. Super Typhoon Paka lasted a rarely seen duration of twenty days. Cyclone Pancho-Helinda travelled nearly the entire width of the Indian Ocean. Size: 24x36 inches. Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01936-POS-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Poster: Most Intense Tropical Storms, 1998 Although 1998 produced fewer tropical storms than the average, the storms were particularly intense. The destructive power of these storms was evident in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. Thousands of lives and homes were destroyed by flooding, landslides and wind. The roster of most intense tropical storms includes 4 typhoons, 5 cyclones, and 5 hurricanes. Size: 24x36 inches. Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via our online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01937-POS-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Poster: Nighttime Lights of the USA, 1996Nighttime Lights of the USA shows lights from cities, towns, industrial sites, and gas flares. Six months of cloud-free data were compiled and the time-series analyzed to reveal persistent light sources. Size: 24 x 36 inches Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via our online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01236-POS-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1995 Atlantic HurricanesDuring the 1995 hurricane season, eleven tropical cyclones reached hurricane status, nearly double the average. A set of 22 slides with each slide displaying a storm in either visible or infrared wavelengths. Winds from Hurricane Opal reached 130 kt. All Tropical Cyclone sets include descriptions of storm damage and maps of the storm tracks. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01231-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1995 NW Pacific TyphoonsSet of 23 slides showing 1995's 12 typhoons. The DMSP satellite's unique imagery supports study of the structure, magnitude, and location of storms. Each slide displays a storm in either visible or infrared wavelengths. Winds from Typhoon Angela exceeded 155 kt. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01235-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1996 Indian Ocean & SW Pacific - 40 slides show each of the 20 typhoon-class cyclones in thermal-infrared and visible wavelengths. Only one of these cyclones occurred north of the equator. Winds from Cyclones Bonita and Itelle exceeded 140 kt. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01234-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1996 NE Pacific & Atlantic Hurricanes - 1996 Northeast Pacific & Atlantic Hurricanes includes 26 slides which show the 13 hurricanes in thermal infrared and visible wavelengths. Five storms occurred in the Northeast Pacific and 8 in the North Atlantic. Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01233-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1996 NW Pacific Typhoons 42 slides show each of the 21 typhoons in thermal-infrared and visible wavelengths. Typhoon Dale, the most intense tropical storm of the year with winds exceeding 150 kt, is included in this set. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01232-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1997 Indian Ocean & SW Pacific - 40 images comprise this set of 20 storms of severe cyclone strength in the Indian and Southwest Pacific Oceans which occurred between January 2, 1997, and January 1, 1998. Each storm is displayed in thermal-infrared and visible wavelengths. Two cyclones, Poncho-Helinda and Gavin, had sustained winds of 128 kt. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01932-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1997 NE Pacific & Atlantic Hurricanes - 24 slides comprise this set of 12 Western Hemisphere hurricanes that occurred between July 5 and November 10, 1997. Hurricane Linda, estimated as the year's strongest hurricane in the eastern North Pacific Ocean with sustained winds reaching 160 kt, is included in this set. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01930-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1997 NW Pacific Typhoons 42 images comprise this slide set of 21 Northwest Pacific storms of typhoon strength that occurred between April 11 and December 21, 1997. Each storm is displayed in both thermal-infrared and visible wavelengths. Four typhoons (Ivan, Joan, Keith, and Paka) all had sustained winds of 160 kt. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01931-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1998 Atlantic Hurricanes During 1998, 10 tropical storms reached hurricane strength in the Atlantic Ocean. 20 slides show hurricanes in both thermal-infrared and visible wavelengths. Hurricane Mitch had sustained winds of 168 kt and was responsible for over 9,000 deaths in Central America. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01940-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1998 Indian Ocean This set of 26 slides presents images of 13 tropical storms in thermal-infrared and visible wavelength. Cyclone 03A, the most intense cyclone to strike India in 25 years, caused the dislocation of over 15,000 people by damaging or destroying thousands of homes. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01944-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1998 NE Pacific Hurricanes 18 images comprise this set of 9 tropical storms with each displayed in thermal-infrared and visible wavelenth. Hurricane Howard, estimated to be the strongest 1998 hurricane in the NE Pacific, reached a maximum wind speed of 130 kt. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01943-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1998 NW Pacific TyphoonsThis slide set shows satellite views of 9 NW Pacific Typhoons. 18 slides show each hurricane in both thermal-infrared and visible wavelengths. Winds from Typhoon Zeb reached 155 kt. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01942-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Slide Set: Tropical Cyclones - 1998 Southwest Pacific16 images show 8 cyclones in both thermal-infrared and visible wave-lengths. Cyclone Ron produced sustained winds of 155 kt. B&W Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01941-SLI-A0001 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center

    Non-Digital Form: Poster: Nighttime Lights of the World, 1994-1995 The Nighttime Lights of the World poster depicts the lights from cities, fires, gas flares, and fishing boats, each in a separate color. Source data collected October 1994 - March 1995. The poster measures 36.5"x18.76". Ordering Instructions: Product may be ordered via the online store at:http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=G01236-POS-A0003 Custom Order Process: Contact Data Center
    Distributor DMSP Data Manager
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
    303.497.3053
    ngdc.dmsp@noaa.gov
    Dataset Point of Contact DMSP Data Manager
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
    303.497.3053
    ngdc.dmsp@noaa.gov
    Time Period 1975-04-01 to Present
    Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
    West:-180.000000
    East:180.000000
    South:-90.000000
    North:90.000000
    Spatial Coverage Map
    Dataset Information
    Documentation links not available.
    Publication Dates
    • publication: 1992-01-01
    Dataset Progress Status Under development - data is currently in the process of being created
    Data Update Frequency Daily
    Supplemental Information
    The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (formerly National Geophysical Data Center) receive 8.5 Gb of data from AFWA over a designated T1 line. OLS data has been processed and quality controlled within since the end of March 1994. A low resolution scan line consists of 1,465 visible pixels, 1,465 IR pixels, satellite ephemeris, a quality assessment and other satellite and astronomical parameters. A high resolution scan line contains 7,325 pixels amd the same supporting information.
    Purpose Earth and Near-Earth Environment Research
    Use Limitations
    • While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.
    Originators
    • DOD/USAF/AFWA > Air Force Weather Agency, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Defense
    • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce (comp)
    Publishers
    • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
    • National Geophysical Data Center
    Theme keywords NASA/GCMD Earth Science Keywords
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Sun-earth Interactions > Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Particles
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Sun-earth Interactions > Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Particles > Electron Flux
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Sun-earth Interactions > Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Particles > Proton Flux
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Sun-earth Interactions > Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Particles > Particle Density
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Sun-earth Interactions > Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Particles > Particle Speed
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Sun-earth Interactions > Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Particles > Particle Temperature
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Spectral/Engineering > Visible Wavelengths
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Spectral/Engineering > Infrared Wavelengths
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Spectral/Engineering > Microwave
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Atmosphere > Clouds
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Atmosphere > Precipitation
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Spectral/Engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Hydrosphere > Surface Water
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Ocean Winds
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Sea Ice
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Ecological Dynamics > Fire Occurrence
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Hydrosphere > Snow/Ice
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Hydrosphere > Surface Water > Lakes
    • EARTH SCIENCE > Hydrosphere > Surface Water > Rivers/Streams
    Uncontrolled Keywords
    • DMSP
    • Global Change
    • Meteorological Satellites
    • Satellite Meteorology
    • Polar Orbiters
    Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
    • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
    • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
    Place keywords NASA/GCMD Location Keywords
    • Global
    Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
    • ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System
    Use Constraints
    • Use Constraints: None
    Access Constraints
    • Access Constraints: No Constraints
    Fees
    • $18.00 plus handling and possible shipping charge for all non-US orders
    • $18.00 plus handling and shipping outside the USA
    • $25.00 plus handling and shipping outside the USA
    Lineage information for:dataset
    Processor
    • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
    Processing Steps
    • OLS data are decompressed, reordered, restructured and deinterleaved. Satellite ephemeris are computed using a four body orbital mechanics program with observed, rather than predicted, orbital elements used as input. Missing scan lines are correctly positioned. Quality assessments are made of each pixel and characterized for the each complete scan line.
    Source Datasets
    • DMSP Raw Data Records (RDR)
      • Description of Source: Source Contribution: DMSP Raw Data Files Source Type: digital database file
      • Temporal extent used: 1992-01-01 to Present
    Lineage information for:repository
    Processing Steps
    • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 -NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
    Acquisition Information (collection)
    Instrument
    • OLS > Operational Linescan System
    Platform
    • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F10 (DMSP 5D-2/F10)
    • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F11 (DMSP 5D-2/F11)
    • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F12 (DMSP 5D-2/F12)
    • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F13 (DMSP 5D-2/F13)
    • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F14 (DMSP 5D-2/F14)
    • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F15 (DMSP 5D-3/F15)
    • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F16 (DMSP 5D-3/F16)
    Operation
    • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
    Last Modified: 2015-09-18
    For questions about the information on this page, please email:ngdc.dmsp@noaa.gov