H3ZFCCFC11: Global CFC-11 Zonal Fourier Coefficients from HIRDLS

Global satellite data from the HIRDLS instrument on the Aura mission provides zonal Fourier coefficients for Chlorofluorocarbon-11 (CFC-11) across 1-degree latitude bands from -64 to 80 degrees. The dataset likely contains the mean and up to 7 sine and cosine coefficients, computed via a Kalman filter from Level 2 profiles, enabling reconstruction of values at any longitude. Its useful vertical range spans from 316 to 17.8 hPa across 121 pressure levels, offering about 1 km vertical resolution.

Use Cases

• Modeling global CFC-11 distribution based on zonal Fourier coefficients for any longitude.
• Analyzing stratospheric transport and mixing using daytime (ascending) and nighttime (descending) orbit node data.
• Studying the vertical profile of CFC-11 across its useful range from 316 to 17.8 hPa.
• Assessing data precision via root-mean-square differences between estimated fields and input data.

Strengths

• Covers the entire HIRDLS mission duration, approximately 3 years.
• Provides high vertical resolution with 24 pressure levels per decade (~1 km).
• Separates data for ascending (daytime), descending (nighttime), and combined orbit nodes.

Limitations

• Conflicting last-updated dates: 2026-04-10 on Data.gov versus 2008-03-17 on NASA EarthData.
• Column names and exact row counts are not provided in the available metadata.
• License is ambiguously listed as 'other-license-specified' without further details.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Satellite observations from the HIRDLS instrument on the Aura spacecraft, processed with a Kalman filter approach.

Time Range

Approximately 3 years (the HIRDLS mission duration).

Freshness

2026-04-10 02:11:39.806265

Geography

Global, from -64 to 80 degrees latitude.