High resolution (0.25°) SSTs were derived from the AMSR-E, a passive microwave radiometer flying on NASA's AQUA satellite. Remote Sensing Systems distributes the data in high spatial and temporal (daily, weekly, monthly) resolutions for both daytime and nighttime averages. Monthly versions are available on a 1°x1° grid from JPL PO-DAAC as well as the CMIP5 obs4MIPS distribution; these 1°x1° monthly versions were computed from the nighttime averages. Unlike SSTs from ships, buoys, etc, SSTs from AMSR-E are a 'skin' temperature from a layer ~1mm thick.<p>
NOTE: "The AMSR-E antenna stopped spinning at the required speed on Oct 4, 2011. This is most likely due to aging lubricant in the spin mechanism. We no longer produce AMSR-E data products after Oct 4 2011. The AMSR-E instrument continues to function, but with extremely reduced capability. JAXA has released an official statement: Official press release from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)"
Key Strengths:
- SSTs can be retrieved even in the presence of clouds
- High spatial and temporal sampling
Key Limitations:
- Sampling can be inhomogeneous due to no retrievals in regions with rain, high winds (>25 m/s), near sea ice, or very near coasts (<~75 km)
- Coarser spatial resolution and less accuracy than AVHRR retrievals
- Short record length