ERBE Satellite Zonal and Global Radiation Budget Averages

ERBE_S4G_WFOV_NF_ZG_1 contains Earth Radiation Budget Experiment data processed into zonal and global averages. The dataset provides monthly, daily, and hourly averages for parameters like albedo and radiation flux, derived from non-scanner, wide field-of-view instruments on three satellites. NASA's Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center (LARC_ASDC) produced this completed collection, with data represented as 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit integers in HDF format.

Use Cases

• Analyzing latitudinal variations in Earth's albedo using 5- and 10-degree zonal averages.
• Modeling global radiation budget changes by examining total spectral and shortwave channel data averaged over the entire globe.
• Investigating diurnal cycles of atmospheric radiation using monthly hourly average data.
• Calibrating climate models with historical, multi-satellite wide field-of-view measurements from the ERBE mission.

Strengths

• Data originates from a multi-satellite system (ERBS, NOAA-9, NOAA-10) providing complementary global and mid-latitude coverage.
• Offers multiple temporal aggregations including daily, monthly, and monthly hourly averages for detailed analysis.
• Provides spatial averaging at two resolutions: 5.0 and 10.0 degree zonal bands as well as global averages.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and dataset size are not provided by any source, limiting precise technical assessment.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates exist between sources (1990-02-28 and 2026-03 13), creating uncertainty about metadata maintenance.
• Data collection is stated as complete, indicating no new measurements will be added.

Provenance

Source

NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center (LARC_ASDC) from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE).

Collection Method

Data gathered from non-scanner, wide field-of-view instruments on ERBS, NOAA-9, and NOAA-10 satellites, processed using a numerical filter data reduction technique.

Time Range

Coverage period not explicitly stated, but data collection is complete and associated with the historical ERBE mission.

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:59:43.419184

Geography

Global coverage from sun-synchronous NOAA satellites and coverage between 67.5°N and 67.5°S from the ERBS satellite.