ERBE Satellite Data: Zonal and Global Radiation Averages

Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) S-4GN data contains nonscanner measurements of radiant flux at the top-of-the-atmosphere. NASA and NOAA collected this data from three satellites (ERBS, NOAA-9, NOAA-10) to produce monthly 5.0 and 10.0 degree zonal and global averages. The dataset is stored in Hierarchical Data Format.

Use Cases

• Analyzing monthly variations in Earth's albedo and radiative flux using zonal averages.
• Modeling the global energy budget by comparing shortwave and longwave radiation data from multiple satellites.
• Studying spatial patterns of atmospheric radiation using gridded, nonscanner data processed with a numerical filter.
• Investigating climate feedback mechanisms through time-series analysis of top-of-atmosphere flux estimates.

Strengths

• Data originates from a multi-satellite system (ERBS, NOAA-9, NOAA-10), providing multiple measurement sources.
• Provides gridded data at 5.0 and 10.0 degree resolutions for zonal and global analysis.
• Contains nonscanner data processed with a numerical filter for cross-track enhancement.

Limitations

• Column names and specific row/size counts are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date: Data.gov lists 2026-03 13, while NASA Earthdata lists 1995-11-30, suggesting metadata inconsistency.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Satellite measurements from ERBE instruments on ERBS, NOAA-9, and NOAA-10 satellites, processed into monthly zonal and global averages.

Time Range

null

Freshness

1995-11-30 23:59:59.999000

Geography

Global