AIRS and AMSU: Trace Gases (CO2, CO, CH4, O3...); Level 3
Teaser image

Main content
AIRS provides satellite retrieval of mid-tropospheric carbon dioxide even under cloudy conditions, without the use of a priori information from models. AIRS retrievals use cloud-cleared thermal IR radiance spectra in the 15 micron band with an accuracy better than 2 ppm. AIRS retrievals have been used to produce global maps of carbon dioxide and other trace gases including ozone, methane, and carbon monoxide.
Key Strengths
Key Strengths
Near global coverage with high horizontal and vertical resolutions and frequent sampling
Key Limitations
Key Limitations
Inconsistent sampling with latitude
Please cite data sources, following the data providers' instructions
Suggested Data Citation
Dataset DOIs
None
Hosted Climate Index Files
None
Usage Restrictions
None
Key Figures

AIRS sensitivity to carbon dioxide with altitude. Source: http://airs.jpl.nasa.gov/data/about_airs_co2_data/
Other Information
Earth system components and main variables
Type of data product
Dataset collections
Years of record
None
Metadata ID
None
Data time period extended
Yes, data set is extended
Timestep
Sub-daily, Daily, Monthly
Domain
Input Data
None
Vertical Levels:
None
Missing Data Flag
Missing data present
Ocean or Land
Ocean & Land
Spatial Resolution
1x1, 2x2.5, assorted levels
Model Resolution (reanalysis)
None
Data Assimilation Method
None
Model Vintage (reanalysis)
None
Key Publications
- Chahine, M.T. et al. (2008): Satellite Remote Sounding of Mid-Tropospheric CO2 . Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, September
- Strow, L.L. & S.E. Hannon (2008): A 4-year Zonal Climatology of Lower Tropospheric CO2 Derived from Ocean-Only Atmospheric Infrared Sounder Observations. J. Geophys. Res., 29
- Engelen, R.J et al (2009): Four Dimensional Data Assimilation of Atmospheric CO2 Using AIRS Observations.
- Maddy, E.S. et al (2009): CO2 Retrievals from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder: Methodology and Validation
- Rajab, J. M. et al (2012), Methane Interannual Distribution over Peninsular Malaysia from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder Data: 2003-2009, Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 12(6), 1459-1466
- Zhang, Y. et al (2012): Retrieval of methane profiles from spaceborne hyperspectral infrared observations. J. of Remote Sensing, v. 16, no. 2, p. 232-247
- Xiong, X. et al (2008): Characterization and validation of methane products from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), J. Geophys. Res., 113, G00A01