Is the entire mission of SeaWiFS data (1997-present) freely available?

SeaWiFS data are provided at no cost, however certain usage restrictions apply as outlined in the SeaWiFS Research Data Use terms and Conditions Agreement document.

SeaWiFS Level-3 data availability restrictions:  The entire mission of global SeaWiFS Level-3 binned and mapped data is available to the public, with the exception of a 14-day embargo on recent data. (See the Level-3 section below for more details.)

SeaWiFS Level-1 and Level-2 availability data restrictions:  If you are an authorized SeaWiFS user then you will have access to the entire Level-1 and Level-2 data archive stored by the OBPG with the exception of a 14-day embargo on all recent data. However, if you are not an authorized SeaWiFS user, you will be subject to a 5-year embargo on the Level-1 and Level-2 data archive.

Summarized below are the different SeaWiFS data types distributed by the OBPG (and some caveats):

---

SeaWiFS Level-3 data availability

The OBPG distributes the following global SeaWiFS Level-3 data for the entire mission:

1) Global 9-km Level-3 mapped data products can be accessed via the Level 3 Browser and our ftp site.

2) Global 9-km Level-3 binned products are available from our ftp site.

Since this distributed Level-3 data is fixed at 9-km resolution and contains only a standard set of products, if a different resolution or product is desired, users will be required to download Level-1 or Level-2 data in order to create custom Level-3 data.

---

SeaWiFS Level-1 and Level-2 data availability

Since SeaWiFS only records global 4-km data, it is important to remember that for 1-km data, the OBPG's SeaWiFS archive depends on reception by ground stations and therefore does not contain every data pixel ever viewed by the sensor. Our SeaWiFS archive contains the following Level-1 and Level-2 datasets:

1) The (continuing) SeaWiFS recorded global 4-km GAC Level 1 and 2 data archive for the entire mission.

2) The SeaWiFS merged 1-km MLAC data archive from September 4, 1997 to December 23, 2004. This archive includes the data from NASA operated ground stations and from many partner ground stations throughout the world, along with all the recorded LAC data. This is the largest consolidated freely available SeaWiFS dataset for this time period.

3) The North and Central American coastal 1-km MLAC dataset from December 24, 2004 to present. This dataset is provided to the OBPG once per month by GeoEye, and so certain recent data will not be available for 30 days or more after reception. (Also note that SeaWiFS data for other parts of the world may be available for purchase directly from GeoEye.)

4) The recorded 1-km LAC data from December 24, 2004 to present (these files are not merged into MLAC data). Due to the limited recording capability of the satellite this data is sparse, though it is still possible to request custom scheduling of the on-board LAC for your region of interest.

All of the Level-1 and Level-2 data mentioned above is accessible via the OBPG's Level 1 and 2 Browser. To access SeaWiFS data less than 5 years old you must be an authorized user, click the "SeaWiFS User Login" button in the browser window, and enter your username and password.