PARASOL Level-1 and Level-2 data reprocessing underway September 2014

The PARASOL Level-1 data and all atmosphere products are currently being reprocessed from the beginning of the mission onward using revised algorithms. The Level-1 reprocessing, performed by CNES, began in April 2014 and new files are transferred to ICARE for Level-2-and-up products reprocessing. As of September 1, 2014, PARASOL data from March 2005 to mid-2008 are available at ICARE. The reprocessing of the whole PARASOL archive (until October 2013) is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.
Changes to the Level-1 algorithm include improved radiometric calibration. For aerosol products over ocean, changes include the calculation of uncertainties, improvement of aerosol non-spherical models and cloud mask, and the implementation of a sea-ice mask. Over land, changes include the use of a higher resolution land biome map and the retrieval of the altitude of the aerosol layer. For cloud and radiative budget products, the solar irradiance was updated.

Data services related to PARASOL will switch to the latest version of all products (L1_B.v03.02, OC2.v11.11, LS2.v10.11) when the reprocessing is complete.