What question did this study set out to answer?

This work aims to create a tool for simulating top-of-atmosphere Level-1B files for ocean color data analysis.

January 25, 2026Open Access

PyTOAST: Python Top Of Atmosphere Simulation Tool

Key Points

This work aims to create a tool for simulating top-of-atmosphere Level-1B files for ocean color data analysis.
Utilized surface and atmospheric properties from MODIS and VIIRS.
Generated TOA radiances using pre-computed radiative-transfer look-up tables.
Produced data in the standard Level-1B format for the PACE Ocean Color Instrument.
Simulated data showed realistic radiometry in the Level-1B format.
Allowed for efficient production of multi-day global data distributions.
Facilitated testing of retrieval software mechanics and data flow.

Abstract

PyTOAST generates simulated top-of-atmosphere Level-1B files for the PACE Ocean ColorInstrument (OCI). PyTOAST utilizes retrieved surface and atmospheric properties and top-ofatmosphere (TOA) radiances from MODIS and VIIRS, pre-computed radiative-transfer look-uptables for the OCI spectral response, and spectral libraries of land and clouds to produce realisticradiometry in the standard Level-1B format (https://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/pace/format/)of OCI. The PyTOAST simulator is computationally efficient, and thus allows for large scaleproduction of multi-day global data distributions with realistic viewing geometries for testing ofretrieval software mechanics and data flow.

PyTOAST: Python Top Of Atmosphere Simulation Tool

Key Points

Abstract

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