Aura Satellite Daily Hypochlorous Acid Measurements on Assorted Grids

Daily binned measurements of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) mixing ratios derived from the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) 640 GHz radiometer. The dataset provides near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at a 4x5 degree resolution, with a useful vertical range from 10 to 2.15 hPa. Data is produced by the GES DISC from the MLS instrument.

Use Cases

• Analyze the lat-lon map vs pressure group to study the global spatial distribution of HOCl mixing ratios.
• Use the ascending and descending orbit profile groups to investigate diurnal cycles in stratospheric chlorine chemistry.
• Compare the vortex average vs potential temperature group to examine polar vortex dynamics and ozone depletion processes.
• Apply the lat vs pressure zonal mean data to create climatologies of HOCl for atmospheric model evaluation.

Strengths

• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data is subdivided into specific observational conditions: ascending/descending orbits and day/night (SZA criteria).
• Provides multiple statistical measures per group, including average, min, max, standard deviation, and RMS.

Limitations

• The vertical range is limited to the stratosphere (10 to 2.15 hPa), excluding tropospheric measurements.
• Spatial resolution of 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude may be coarse for regional-scale analysis.
• Data quality and interpretation require consulting the detailed EOS MLS Level 2 Version 4 Quality Document.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

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

Time Range

null

Freshness

null

Geography

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