Daily Zonal Carbon Monoxide Mixing Ratios from Aura MLS Satellite

Near-global daily binned measurements of atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO) mixing ratios derived from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) 640 GHz radiometer. The dataset provides zonal means and vortex averages across multiple vertical grids, with coverage from August 2005 to the present. Data is produced by NASA's Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) as part of the EOS MLS Version 5.1 product.

Use Cases

• Analyze lat vs pressure zonal mean fields to study the vertical and meridional transport of CO in the troposphere and stratosphere.
• Use lat vs potential temperature zonal means to investigate CO distribution relative to atmospheric dynamical structures.
• Examine equivalent latitude vs potential temperature zonal means for studying tracer transport within and outside the polar vortex.
• Utilize vortex average vs potential temperature data for focused analysis of polar atmospheric chemistry and dynamics.
• Leverage statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms) within each group to quantify variability and uncertainty in CO measurements.

Strengths

• Long-term record spanning from August 2005 to current, enabling trend analysis.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at 4-degree zonal increments.
• Data provided across multiple vertical grids (pressure, potential temperature, equivalent latitude) with a useful range between 215 and 0.00464 hPa.
• Each data group includes statistical measures (average, min, max, standard deviation, RMS) for uncertainty assessment.

Limitations

• Vertical resolution is approximately 6 km, which may limit fine-scale atmospheric layer analysis.
• Spatial coverage excludes polar regions above 82 degrees latitude.
• 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), EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS).

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the MLS 640 GHz radiometer, processed to daily binned zonal means.

Time Range

August 2, 2005 to current.

Freshness

Updated with current data; coverage is ongoing from 2005.

Geography

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