Monthly Binned Geopotential Height from Aura MLS Satellite

MLS/Aura Level 3 data provides monthly binned geopotential height derived from 118 and 240 GHz radiometer measurements. Data coverage spans from August 2005 to the present, with near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude. The dataset is produced by the Microwave Limb Sounder instrument and archived by NASA's GES DISC.

Use Cases

• Analyzing stratospheric polar vortex strength using the 'vortex average vs theta' group data.
• Studying zonal mean atmospheric structure by examining the 'lat vs pressure zonal mean' group fields.
• Mapping global geopotential height anomalies by processing the 'lat-lon map vs pressure' group's average and standard deviation fields.
• Investigating atmospheric wave activity through the 'equivalent lat vs theta zonal mean' group metrics.
• Assessing data quality and uncertainty for climate records using the RMS and standard deviation fields within each data group.

Strengths

• Continuous temporal coverage from August 2005 to present, enabling long-term trend analysis.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at 4°x5° resolution.
• Provides multiple statistical views per measurement, including average, min, max, standard deviation, and RMS within six distinct group objects.
• Vertical data range spans from 261 hPa to 0.001 hPa, covering a significant portion of the atmosphere.

Limitations

• Spatial resolution of 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude may be coarse for regional-scale studies.
• Data is limited to near-global coverage, excluding polar regions above 82 degrees latitude.
• Vertical resolution varies between approximately 3.6 and 6 km, which may not resolve fine vertical structures.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) 118 and 240 GHz radiometers aboard the Aura satellite.

Time Range

August 2005 to present.

Freshness

Updated monthly with data from the ongoing Aura mission.

Geography

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