ML3DZMBRO: Daily Zonal Mean Bromine Monoxide from Aura Satellite, 2004-Present

EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) daily zonal mean product for bromine monoxide derived from 640 GHz radiometer radiances. The data version is 4.2, with coverage from August 2, 2004 to the present, spanning near-global latitudes from -85 to 85 degrees. Each netCDF4 file contains ascending and descending orbit data, including averages, error precision, solar zenith angle, and local solar time for each latitude band and pressure level.

Use Cases

• Modeling stratospheric bromine chemistry based on daily zonal mean BrO concentrations.
• Analyzing long-term trends in halogen loading based on data spanning from 2004 to present.
• Studying latitudinal distribution of BrO based on measurements spaced every 10 degrees in latitude.
• Investigating diurnal variations in bromine monoxide based on ascending and descending orbit data groups.
• Validating atmospheric chemistry models based on the recommended vertical range between 10 and 4.64 hPa.

Strengths

• Continuous data coverage from August 2, 2004 to current, providing a long-term record.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -85 to 85 degrees latitude with measurements every 10 degrees.
• Data follows Climate and Forecast (CF) metadata conventions and is stored in netCDF4 format.
• Each file contains separate data groups for ascending and descending satellite orbits.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The recommended useful vertical range is limited to between 10 and 4.64 hPa.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the 640 GHz radiometer on the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS).

Time Range

August 2, 2004 to current

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 00:33:34.210601; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Near-global (-85 degrees to 85 degrees latitude)