ML3DZMHO2: Daily Zonal Mean Hydroperoxy Radical Measurements from Aura Satellite

ML3DZMHO2 is the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) daily zonal mean product for hydroperoxy radical (HO2) derived from 640 GHz radiometer radiances. The data version is 5.0, with coverage from August 2, 2005 to current, spanning near-global latitudes from -85 to 85 degrees. It is produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and stored in netCDF4 files following CF metadata conventions.

Use Cases

• Modeling atmospheric oxidation processes based on hydroperoxy radical (HO2) concentrations.
• Analyzing diurnal cycles in atmospheric chemistry based on separate daytime and nighttime zonal mean objects.
• Studying latitudinal and vertical distribution of radicals based on data spaced every 10 degrees in latitude and across pressure levels.
• Validating climate and chemistry models based on long-term satellite observations from 2005 to present.

Strengths

• Long-term temporal coverage from August 2, 2005 to current.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -85 to 85 degrees latitude.
• Data includes separate daytime and nighttime zonal means, average values, error (precision), solar zenith angle, and local solar time.
• Files follow Climate and Forecast (CF) metadata conventions for standardized use.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The recommended useful vertical range is between 21.5 to 0.0464 hPa, which may not cover the full atmospheric column.

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

August 2, 2005 to current

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 00:35:46.889342; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Near-global (-85 degrees to 85 degrees latitude)