ERBE_S4G_MFOV_SF_ZG_1: Earth Radiation Budget Zonal and Global Averages

ERBE_S4G_MFOV_SF_ZG_1 is a processed Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) dataset from NASA and NOAA satellites. It provides non-scanner, medium field-of-view radiation measurements averaged into 10-degree latitudinal zones and globally, using a shape factor data reduction technique. The data includes monthly, daily, and hourly averages for parameters like albedo and are stored as 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit integers.

Use Cases

• Analyzing latitudinal variations in Earth's radiation budget based on 10-degree zonal averages.
• Validating climate model simulations of outgoing longwave and reflected shortwave radiation using satellite-derived global averages.
• Studying temporal trends in albedo and atmospheric radiation from daily to monthly timescales.
• Investigating the Earth's energy balance using medium field-of-view (MFOV) non-scanner instrument data.

Strengths

• Data collection is explicitly stated as complete, providing a finalized historical record.
• Offers multiple temporal aggregations including daily, monthly, and hourly averages for flexible analysis.
• Derived from a multi-satellite system (ERBS, NOAA-9, NOAA-10) providing complementary spatial coverage.

Limitations

• Column names and exact data structure are unknown across all sources, hindering immediate usability.
• Conflicting 'last updated' metadata between platforms (1990 vs. 2026) creates uncertainty about provenance and maintenance.
• Spatial resolution is limited to 10-degree zonal bands, which may be coarse for regional studies.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) via the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE).

Collection Method

Satellite measurements from non-scanner instruments on ERBS, NOAA-9, and NOAA-10, processed using the shape factor technique.

Freshness

2026-04-10 03:40:43.948572 (from datagov, but conflicts with nasa_earthdata date of 1990-02-28)

Geography

Global, with zonal coverage at 10-degree resolution. ERBS covered 67.5°N to 67.5°S; NOAA satellites provided sun-synchronous global coverage.