Data Download File Format Help -- AERONET Sunphotometer Homepage

DATA DOWNLOAD FILE FORMAT HELP

Zip Files*

The AERONET Download Tool provides data in a compressed or "zip" file. This file can be uncompressed or "unzipped" in a number of ways.

The table below shows the operating system and the possible software or command that can be used to "unzip" the zip file.

Operating System	Possible Software or Command
Unix	Command: unzip
Windows	Software*: Pkunzip, Winzip, Winrar, Alladin Stuffit Expander
Mac	Software*: Alladin Stuffit Expander

Data Files*

AERONET data files (*.lev10, *.alm, *.siz, *.ssa, etc.) can be opened in Microsoft Excel, Corel Quattro Pro, or similar spreadsheet program.

The following images show how to import the file into a spreadsheet program.

These data files can be opened from the spreadsheet program (Figure 1).	The text import wizard will should be set to "delimited" format (Figure 2)	Next, select comma delimited in the text import wizard (Figure 3).

Figure 1: Opening the AERONET data file	Figure 2: Setting the delimited data format	Figure 3: Setting the data separator
Furthermore, set the first column date format to day/month/year or DMY (Figure 4).	The data now appear properly formatted in the spreadsheet (Figure 5).

Figure 4: Setting the proper date format	Figure 5: Parsed AERONET data file

The data import can be automated by recording macros. The software documentation will provide additional assistance in creating a macro.

*Note: NASA does not endorse any particular software program.