ML3MBHOCL: Monthly Satellite Measurements of Hypochlorous Acid in the Atmosphere

MLS/Aura Level 3 monthly binned data provides hypochlorous acid (HOCl) mixing ratios derived from 640 GHz radiometer measurements. The data version is 5.1, with near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at a 4°x5° resolution and a useful vertical range from 10 to 2.15 hPa. Files are archived in netCDF4 format and contain multiple group objects for different averaging profiles and geolocation fields.

Use Cases

• Modeling stratospheric chlorine chemistry based on hypochlorous acid mixing ratios.
• Analyzing seasonal and spatial variations in atmospheric composition using the binned monthly data.
• Studying polar vortex dynamics using the 'equivalent latitude' vs 'potential temperature' zonal mean groups.
• Comparing daytime and nighttime atmospheric profiles using the SZA-based subdivisions.

Strengths

• Data version 5.1 indicates a mature, processed product.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Vertical resolution is about 6 km within the recommended 10 to 2.15 hPa range.
• Data is structured into multiple groups for different orbit and solar zenith angle profiles.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

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

Time Range

Monthly binned data; specific temporal range is not provided.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03 13 00:01:34.819549; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Near-global coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at 4°x5° spatial resolution.