HIRDLS Satellite Zonal Fourier Coefficients for Global Nitrogen Dioxide

HIRDLS/Aura satellite data provides global nitrogen dioxide (NO2) profiles expressed as zonal Fourier coefficients. The dataset contains the entire ~3-year mission, with coefficients computed from Level 2 profiles using a Kalman filter. It was produced by the GES DISC and last updated in March 2008.

Use Cases

• Reconstruct global NO2 fields at any longitude using the provided mean and up to 7 sine and cosine coefficients.
• Analyze diurnal cycles by comparing ascending (daytime) and descending (nighttime) orbit node data fields.
• Study vertical NO2 distribution across 121 pressure levels from 100 to 5.1 hPa.
• Assess data precision using the root-mean-square values of differences between estimated fields and input data.
• Investigate latitudinal patterns from -64 to 80 degrees in 1-degree bands.

Strengths

• Covers the entire ~3-year HIRDLS mission, providing complete temporal coverage.
• Offers high vertical resolution with 121 pressure levels, approximately 1 km per level.
• Data structure allows longitude-independent reconstruction via Fourier coefficients.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage ended circa 2008, making the data stale for current atmospheric analysis.
• Useful vertical range is limited to 100 to 5.1 hPa, excluding the troposphere and lower stratosphere.

Provenance

Source

GES DISC (Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center), NASA.

Collection Method

Derived from HIRDLS/Aura Level 2 satellite profiles using a Kalman filter approach with forward and backward passes in time.

Time Range

Covers the entire HIRDLS mission, approximately 3 years up to 2008.

Freshness

Last updated in 2008; mission data is historical.

Geography

Global coverage from -64 to 80 degrees latitude.