Aura MLS Daily Zonal Mean Chlorine Monoxide Mixing Ratio Data

Near-global daily binned chlorine monoxide (ClO) mixing ratio data from the NASA Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument. The dataset provides zonal and vortex-averaged profiles from August 2005 to the present, with a spatial resolution of 4 degrees latitude. It is produced by the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC).

Use Cases

• Analyze lat vs pressure zonal mean ClO to study its vertical and latitudinal distribution in the stratosphere.
• Use equivalent latitude vs potential temperature zonal mean groups to investigate ClO behavior relative to the polar vortex.
• Compare ascending and descending orbit profile groups to examine diurnal variability in chlorine monoxide.
• Utilize the standard deviation and root mean square (rms) data fields within each group to assess measurement uncertainty.
• Employ daytime (SZA < 90) and nighttime (SZA > 110) profile subdivisions to research photochemical effects on ClO.

Strengths

• Continuous data coverage from August 2, 2005 to the present.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data is subdivided into multiple viewing geometries (e.g., ascending/descending orbit, day/night) for detailed analysis.
• Vertical profiles cover a recommended useful range between 147 and 1.0 hPa.

Limitations

• The vertical resolution varies between 3 and 4.5 km, which may be coarse for some fine-scale atmospheric process studies.
• Spatial resolution is limited to 4-degree latitude zonal increments.
• Data quality and interpretation require consulting the detailed 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 2005 to present.

Freshness

Updated with current data; temporal coverage is ongoing.

Geography

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