Aura Satellite Daily Chlorine Monoxide Mixing Ratios on Multiple Grids

MLS/Aura satellite data provides daily binned chlorine monoxide (ClO) mixing ratios on assorted vertical and horizontal grids, critical for studying stratospheric ozone chemistry. Measurements span from August 2004 to the present, offering a near-global record from -82 to +82 degrees latitude. The dataset is produced by the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) using the Microwave Limb Sounder instrument.

Use Cases

• Analyze lat-lon map vs pressure group data to track ClO distribution and its correlation with the Antarctic ozone hole.
• Use ascending and descending orbit subgroups to study diurnal variations in chlorine monoxide concentrations.
• Employ the vortex average vs potential temperature group to investigate chlorine activation inside the polar vortex.
• Compare daytime (SZA < 90) and nighttime (SZA > 110) profile groups to understand photochemical effects on ClO.
• Utilize the equivalent latitude vs potential temperature zonal mean group for dynamical analyses of tracer transport.

Strengths

• Continuous daily data coverage from August 2004 to present.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data provided on multiple grids (lat-lon map, zonal mean, vortex average) with statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms).
• Vertical resolution between 3 and 4.5 km across the recommended pressure range of 147 to 1.0 hPa.

Limitations

• Spatial resolution is coarse at 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude.
• Useful vertical range is limited to between 147 and 1.0 hPa, excluding higher and lower atmospheric layers.
• Data interpretation requires consulting the EOS MLS Level 2 Version 4 Quality Document, adding complexity.

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 satellite's Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument.

Time Range

August 2, 2004 to current.

Freshness

Data coverage is from August 2004 to current, indicating ongoing updates.

Geography

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