Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (GERB)

This dataset contains data from the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) instrument. This instrument measures the incident and reflected solar radiation together with thermal radiation emitted by the Earth's atmosphere. The amount of solar radiation absorbed is the difference between the the incoming and reflected solar radiation and is the energy source of the Earth-atmosphere system. The thermal radiation emitted by the atmosphere is the only sink of energy so, therefore, the budget is the difference between the two. Seasonal changes in the ERB are mainly due to changes in incoming solar radiation but there is a large amount of variability on timescales of hours to days, mainly due to clouds. The global coverage and sampling frequency required for accurate climate models requires that ERB measurements are made from satellites.

The GERB instrument is specifically designed to be mounted on a geostationary satellite and is located onboard the Meteosat Second Generation satellite operated by EUMETSAT. It provides accurate radiation measurements every 15 minutes for the Earth disc centred on the Greenwich meridian and the equator (approx 60N-60S, 60E-60W).

The first GERB instrument, GERB-2, was launched on METEOSAT-8 in 2002, and provides an operational data record from March 2004- May 2007. In 2006 GERB-1 was launched on METEOSAT-9 and took over the operational record in May 2007. Futher GERB sensors are planned for METEOSAT-10 and 11.

To apply for access to the GERB archive:

1. You will need your BADC username and password.
   New users register here. For a reminder of your login details contact the BADC Helpdesk.
   
2. Apply for access to the GERB archive. You will need to agree to the GERB conditions of use and your application be approved by the GERB team. This may take a few days to complete.

The GERB-2 data covers March 2004 to May 2007. Gerb-1 data starts April 2007. Further information about data coverage can be found at the GERB Ground Segment Processing system website

Level 2 ARG Geolocation files are also available for Edition 1 - you should download this product if you download Level 2 ARG flux products.
*Please note new geolocation files are produced at intervals, however these are identical as the geolocation grid remains fixed throughout the Edition record.

Users should be aware that a step change is expected in the Edition 1 GERB record at the point of transition from GERB 2 (METEOSAT-8) to GERB 1 (METEOSAT-9) due to differences between the instruments. Inter-comparison results presented in the quality summary explain the differences observed.

• GERB data archive at BADC
• GERB documentation at BADC
• GERB conditions of use including how to reference the data.
• GERB Ground Segment Processing system website at RAL.
  
• GERB project home page at Imperial College.
  
• GERB team page at Imperial College.
  
• GERB home page at RMIB.
  
• EUMETSAT in Darmstadt.
  
• Meteosat Second Generation web page at BADC.
  
• List of publications for GERB

Harries, J.E.; Russell, J.E.; Hanafin, J.A.; Brindley, H.; Futyan, J.; Rufus, J.; Kellock, S.; Matthews, G.; Wrigley, R.; Last, A.; Mueller, J.; Mossavati, R.; Ashmall, J.; Sawyer, E.; Parker, D.; Caldwell, M.; Allan, P.M.; Smith, A.; Bates,M.J.; Coan, B.; Stewart, B.C.; Lepine, D.R.; Cornwall, L.A.; Corney, D.R.; Ricketts, M.J.; Drummond, D.; Smart, D.; Cutler, R.; Dewitte, S.; Clerbaux, N.; Gonzalez, L.; Ipe, A.; Bertrand, C.; Joukoff, A.; Crommelynck, D.; Nelms, N.; Llewellyn-Jones, D.T.; Butcher, G.; Smith, G.L.; Szewczyk, Z.P.; Mlynczak, P.E.; Slingo, A.; Allan, R.P.; Ringer, M.A. Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (GERB), [Internet]. NCAS-British Atmospheric Data Centre, 2002-, Date of citation. Available from http://badc.nerc.ac.uk/view/badc.nerc.ac.uk__ATOM__dataent_gerb.