On December 15, 2021, updates were implemented for ASTER Product Generation Executables (PGE) Version 3.4 to include changes to the ancillary data input options used in the atmospheric correction of ASTER Level 2 data products.
The updated PGE includes the following changes:
Additionally, the Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Climatology datasets, which are fallback inputs for the Ozone Column and the Moisture Profile, Temperature, and Atmospheric Pressure processing options will be removed from the Earthdata Order Form. It has been observed that PGEs generated with Climatology as an input yield noticeable differences statistically during image and spectral analysis. Climatology will continue to be used as the final default if neither of the first two selectable options are available for Ozone Column or Moisture Profile, Temperature, and Atmospheric Pressure. Users can check the OPERATIONALQUALITYFLAGEXPLANATION field in the metadata or the output file for atmospheric parameters that were applied.
The ancillary data input options are used in generating the following ASTER Level 2 on-demand products.
ASTER Level 2 products can be ordered through NASA’s Earthdata Search.
Have questions? Please contact LP DAAC User Services.