Daily Global Carbon Monoxide Mixing Ratios from Aura Satellite

MLS/Aura Level 3 data provides daily binned carbon monoxide (CO) mixing ratios on assorted vertical grids. Data coverage spans from August 2, 2005, to the present, with near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude. The product is generated by the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) from Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) radiance measurements.

Use Cases

• Analyze lat-lon map vs pressure group data to visualize global CO distribution and identify pollution sources.
• Use lat vs pressure zonal mean data to study meridional transport and seasonal cycles of carbon monoxide.
• Leverage the equivalent lat vs theta zonal mean group to investigate CO behavior relative to dynamical stratospheric features.
• Employ vortex average vs theta data to examine polar vortex chemistry and CO variability in polar regions.
• Utilize statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms) within each group to quantify uncertainty and variability in CO measurements.

Strengths

• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Continuous temporal coverage from August 2005 to present.
• Data provided on multiple vertical grids (pressure and theta) with statistical measures (average, min, max, std dev, rms).
• Spatial resolution of 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude.

Limitations

• Vertical range is limited to between 215 and 0.00464 hPa, excluding surface and upper atmospheric layers.
• Spatial resolution (4°x5°) may be too coarse for regional-scale atmospheric studies.
• Data quality and interpretation require consulting the specific EOS MLS Level 2 Version 5 Quality Document.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

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

Time Range

August 2, 2005 to present.

Freshness

Updated daily, with coverage to current.

Geography

Near-global, -82 to +82 degrees latitude.