MAPS OSTA3: Global Carbon Monoxide Measurements from Satellite

The MAPS OSTA3 dataset provides global measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) mixing ratios in the free troposphere. Data was collected via a gas filter radiometry instrument flown on the Space Shuttle, focusing on an altitude of 7-8 km. The dataset is provided by NASA's Langley DAAC and includes a 5 by 5 degree gridded product.

Use Cases

• Modeling global carbon monoxide transport based on satellite-derived mixing ratios.
• Analyzing the impact of biomass burning in regions like the Amazon and African savannahs on atmospheric chemistry.
• Correcting systematic errors in atmospheric measurements using the co-measured nitrous oxide (N2O) signal for cloud detection.

Strengths

• Data is derived from a spaceborne instrument providing a unique global perspective on tropospheric carbon monoxide.
• Includes a secondary measurement of nitrous oxide (N2O) to correct for cloud contamination and systematic errors.
• Provides data at a 5 by 5 degree gridded resolution for spatial analysis.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data collection method and specific time range for the OSTA3 mission are not detailed in the provided metadata.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Langley DAAC

Collection Method

Collected via the MAPS gas filter radiometry instrument flown on the Space Shuttle.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 00:46:17.762833; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global