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Documentation for the Buoy Shape File
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A. Naming Conventions and unpacking
B. Resolution
C. Analysis Process
D. Contact information

A. Naming Conventions and General Information:
The following is an example filename of the data:
buoy[yymmdd]_[hhmmss]_15dys.zip
buoy[yymmdd]_15dys.zip
buoy Buoy shape file from NATICE.
[yymmdd]2 digit year, month, and day

UNPACKING:
The data was ziped using a Linux machine.
To unzip on windows, use winzip;
To unzip on Linux, type: gunzip buoy*.zip
There will be 3 files present: *.shp, *.shx, and *.dbf.

B. Resolution:
The resolution of the intial product is 25km. However, this resolution is relative due to the nature of the shape file in GIS software. Further, inputs to the data can range in resolution from 200m to 25km. These inputs include RADARSAT, DMSP OLS, AVHRR, and QUIKSCAT. The SSM/I contour uses the NASA Team 2 algorithm and is contoured using the 10.1% value.

C. Analysis Process:
1. NIC ice analysts bring the SSM/I automated contour into the Sea Ice Mapping System (SIMS) as a shapefile and verify the contour using imagery (Quickscat, SSM/I, Visible/IR, or RADARSAT). Analysts value add to the automated edge by adjusting the position of the contour based on available imagery.
2. The value-added iceedge shapefile, shoreline shapeline file and attribute shapefile are then merged into a single coverage file. The coverage is cleaned and quality controlled in Arctools Edit. An AML is then run to create the separate Northern and Southern hemispheric ice edge.

D. Contact Information:
Questions can be directed to: liaison@natice.noaa.gov