In situ optical, oceanographic and meteorological data including spectral radiance, remote sensing reflectance and other oceanographic and meteorological data collected aboard NOAA Ship Nancy Foster in the US Coastal mid-Atlantic and Western Atlantic Ocean for the JPSS dedicated VIIRS Calibration/Validation cruise from 2014-11-11 to 2014-11-20 (NCEI Accession 0156310)

This accession contains oceanographic and meteorological data collected during the Dedicated JPSS VIIRS Ocean Color Calibration/Validation Cruise (NF-14-09). The measured variables include optical backscatter, particulate organic carbon, pigments, salinity, water temperature, chromophoric dissolved matter (CDOM), chlorophyll, air temperature, wind direction and speed. The purpose of this cruise aboard NOAA Ship Nancy Foster was to collect in situ optical and ancillary data for validation of JPSS VIIRS satellite ocean color radiometry and derived products. The project interval was 9 to 22 November 2014. This 14-day interval included 10 days at sea (including transits), 2 staging days, 1 de-staging day and 1 day crew rest. Days at sea were 11 to 20 November 2014. The primary area of operations was the Western Atlantic along the U.S. Mid- and Southeastern Coast, including cross-shelf, Gulf Stream and blue waters. The cruise track was optimized to accommodate sampling transient features present in the region while respecting weather conditions during the time of the cruise. The cruise transected over 1800 km and occupied 23 stations for collection of underway and profile ocean color measurements during the 10-day duration.