SBUVN07L3zm: Nimbus-7 Satellite Ozone Profile and Column Monthly Zonal Averages

139 months of data from November 1978 through May 1990 provide monthly zonal mean ozone profiles and total column measurements. The dataset is derived from Solar Backscattered Ultraviolet (SBUV) instrument retrievals using the v8.6 algorithm, averaged across 36 five-degree latitude bands. It includes ozone profile data at up to 21 pressure layers and mixing ratios at 15 layers, screened for quality based on defined error flags.

Use Cases

• Analyzing long-term ozone depletion trends based on 139 months of calibrated satellite data.
• Validating climate model simulations of stratospheric chemistry using zonal mean profiles across 36 latitude bands.
• Studying the vertical distribution of ozone from the surface to the mesosphere using data at 21 pressure layers.
• Investigating seasonal and latitudinal variability in total column ozone from 1978 to 1990.

Strengths

• Covers a specific, continuous 11.5-year time period (139 months) from November 1978 to May 1990.
• Provides vertically resolved data with profiles at 21 pressure layers and mixing ratios at 15 layers.
• Includes documented quality screening criteria (Profile and Total Error Flags) for retrieval reliability.
• Represents a key historical satellite record from the Nimbus-7 mission, hosted on multiple authoritative platforms.

Limitations

• Column names and exact data structure are not specified in the provided metadata.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates (1990-05-31 and 2026-04 -09) suggest potential metadata inconsistency across platforms.
• Some profiles have 20 layers instead of 21, indicating occasional missing top-layer data.
• The license is specified only as 'other-license-specified', requiring further investigation for use.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Derived from Level-2 retrieved ozone profiles using the v8.6 SBUV algorithm from the Nimbus-7 satellite.

Time Range

November 1978 to May 1990.

Freshness

2026-04-09 22:31:08.424614

Geography

Global, binned into 36 five-degree latitude zones (18 per hemisphere).