Aura Satellite Daily Methyl Chloride Measurements on Assorted Grids

MLS/Aura satellite data provides daily binned methyl chloride (CH3Cl) mixing ratios from August 2, 2005 to the present. The dataset offers near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude with a 4x5 degree resolution. It 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 map global CH3Cl distribution and identify source regions.
• Use the lat vs pressure zonal mean group to study the vertical transport of CH3Cl into the stratosphere.
• Correlate equivalent latitude vs potential temperature zonal mean data with polar vortex dynamics to examine chlorine activation.
• Employ the vortex average vs potential temperature group for focused studies on Antarctic or Arctic ozone hole chemistry.
• Leverage statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms) within each group to quantify uncertainty in CH3Cl retrievals.

Strengths

• Long-term temporal coverage from August 2005 to current, enabling trend analysis.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data is binned on multiple vertical grids (pressure, potential temperature) for different analytical perspectives.
• Each data group includes statistical measures (average, min, max, std dev, rms) for uncertainty assessment.

Limitations

• Spatial resolution is coarse at 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude.
• Vertical coverage is limited to the recommended useful range between 147 and 4.64 hPa.
• 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) satellite instrument.

Time Range

August 2, 2005 to current.

Freshness

Data coverage is updated to current; specific update frequency is null.

Geography

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