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Description

M2TUNXAER (or tavgU_2d_aer_Nx) is a time-averaged 2-dimensional monthly diurnal means data collection in Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2). This collection consists of assimilated aerosol diagnostics, such as column mass density of aerosol components (black carbon, dust, sea salt, sulfate, and organic carbon), surface mass concentration of aerosol components, and total extinction (and scattering ) aerosol optical thickness (AOT) at 550 nm. The total PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 may be derived with the formula described in the FAQs under the Documentation tab of this page. This data collection is the monthly mean of data fields for each hour and is time-stamped with the central time of an hour starting from 00:30 UTC, e.g.: 00:30, 01:30, … , 23:30 UTC.

MERRA-2 is the latest version of global atmospheric reanalysis for the satellite era produced by NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) using the Goddard Earth Observing System Model (GEOS) version 5.12.4. The dataset covers the period of 1980-present with the latency of ~3 weeks after the end of a month.

Data Reprocessing: Please check “Records of MERRA-2 Data Reprocessing and Service Changes” linked from the “Documentation” tab on this page. Note that a reprocessed data filename is different from the original file.

MERRA-2 Mailing List: Sign up to receive information on reprocessing of data, changing of tools and services, as well as data announcements from GMAO. Contact the GES DISC Help Desk (gsfc-dl-help-disc@mail.nasa.gov) to be added to the list.

Questions: If you have a question, please read "MERRA-2 File Specification Document", “MERRA-2 Data Access – Quick Start Guide”, and FAQs linked from the ”Documentation” tab on this page. If that does not answer your question, you may post your question to the NASA Earthdata Forum (forum.earthdata.nasa.gov) or email the GES DISC Help Desk (gsfc-dl-help-disc@mail.nasa.gov).

Version Description

The GEOS-5 model version used for processing MERRA-2

Product Summary

Platforms
MERRA-2
Instruments
NOT APPLICABLE
Spatial Extent

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

Spatial Resolution
0.625 Decimal Degrees x 0.5 Decimal Degrees
Location
GLOBAL
Coordinate System
CARTESIAN
Granule Spatial Representation
CARTESIAN
Temporal Extent
1980-01-01 to Present
Data Partner
Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (formerly Goddard DAAC), Terrestrial Information Systems Laboratory, Earth Sciences Division, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA (NASA/GSFC/SED/ESD/TISL/GESDI
Concept ID
C1276812869-GES_DISC
Data State
ACTIVE
Number of Files/Granules
556
Processing Level
4
Published
Updated
Science Keywords
Aerosols ,
Aerosol Extinction ,
Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness ,
Angstrom Exponent ,
Aerosol Particle Properties ,
Carbonaceous Aerosols ,
Dust/Ash/Smoke ,
Organic Particles ,
Sulfate Particles ,
Sulfur Oxides ,
Sulfur Compounds ,
Sulfate ,
Sulfur Dioxide ,
Sulfur Oxides ,
Particulate Matter ,
Dimethyl Sulfide ,
Black Carbon ,
Sea Salt ,
PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5) ,
PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0) ,
PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)

Citation

Citation is critically important for dataset documentation and discovery. This dataset is openly shared, without restriction, in accordance with the EOSDIS Data Use and Citation Guidance.

Copy Citation

Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, & Pawson, S. (2015). MERRA-2 tavgU_2d_aer_Nx: 2d,Diurnal,Time-averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Aerosol Diagnostics V5.12.4 [Data set]. NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/KPUMVXFEQLA1 Date Accessed: 2026-06-01

Documents

Publications Citing This Dataset

Filters
Title Year Author Topic
The distributional consequences of incomplete regulation Hernandez-Cortes, Danae Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)
Impacts of land cover changes on dust emissions in northern China Song, Hongquan, Min, Ruiqi, Song, Genxin, Zhai, Shiyan, Wang, Dong, Wang, Yaobin, Bai, Tianqi Aerosols, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfate, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Emissions, UV Aerosol Index, Gas/Aerosol Composition, Aerosol Extinction, Deposition, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Organic Particles, Sulfur Compounds, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)
LUCC-induced dust aerosol change increase surface and reduce atmospheric direct radiative forcing in Northern China Wang, Weijiao, Song, Hongquan, Min, Ruiqi, Wang, Qianfeng, Qi, Minghui Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)
Quantifying Mineral Dust Emissions on the Tibetan Plateau With a Zhang, Zhida, Liang, Jiening, Ji, Hongyu, Li, Mengqi, Ding, Jie, Tang, Chenguang, Zhang, Min, Yu, Zeren, Cao, Xianjie, Tian, Pengfei, Ren, Yan, Zhang, Lei Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10), Aerosol Backscatter, Aerosol Radiance, Cloud Condensation Nuclei, Nitrate Particles, Trace Gases/Trace Species, Atmospheric Emitted Radiation, Emissivity, Optical Depth/Thickness, Radiative Flux, Reflectance, Transmittance, Atmospheric Stability, Humidity, Total Precipitable Water, Water Vapor Profiles, Cloud Condensation Nuclei, Cloud Droplet Concentration/Size, Cloud Liquid Water/Ice, Cloud Optical Depth/Thickness, Cloud Asymmetry, Cloud Ceiling, Cloud Frequency, Cloud Height, Cloud Top Pressure, Cloud Top Temperature, Cloud Vertical Distribution, Cloud Emissivity, Cloud Radiative Forcing, Cloud Reflectance, Rain Storms, Atmospheric Ozone
Health risk assessment for particulate matter: application of AirQ+ model in the northern Caribbean region of Colombia Arregoces, Heli A., Rojano, Roberto, Restrepo, Gloria Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)
Sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments of the East China marginal seas: Role of unintentionally-produced PCBs Yu, Huimin, Lin, Tian, Hu, Limin, Lammel, Gerhard, Zhao, Shizhen, Sun, Xueshi, Wu, Xiao, Guo, Zhigang Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)
Perspective on Particulate Matter: From Biomass Burning to the Health Crisis in Mainland Southeast Asia Amnuaylojaroen, Teerachai, Parasin, Nichapa Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)
Aerosol atmospheric rivers: climatology, event characteristics, and detection algorithm sensitivities Chakraborty, Sudip, Guan, Bin, Waliser, Duane E., da Silva, Arlindo M. Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)
Relationship between cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration and aerosol optical depth in the Arctic region Ahn, Seo H., Yoon, Y.J., Choi, T.J., Lee, J.Y., Kim, Y.P., Lee, B.Y., Ritter, C., Aas, W., Krejci, R., Strom, J., Tunved, P., Jung, Chang H. Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10), Pressure Thickness
Calibration of the Ssot Mission Using A Vicarious Approach Based on Observations over the Atacama Desert and the Gobabeb Radcalnet Station Barrientos, C., Estay, J., Barra, E., Munoz, D. Geopotential Height, Altitude, Surface Temperature, Upper Air Temperature, Dew Point Temperature, Air Temperature, Cloud Top Temperature, Atmospheric Winds, Surface Winds, U/V Wind Components, Upper Level Winds, U/V Wind Components, Vertical Wind Velocity/Speed, Atmospheric Pressure, Sea Level Pressure, Cloud Top Pressure, Sea Level Pressure, Surface Pressure, Specific Humidity, Total Precipitable Water, Cloud Liquid Water/Ice, Atmospheric Water Vapor, Atmospheric Ozone, Oxygen Compounds, Boundary Layer Winds, Skin Temperature, Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)
Long term variability of carbonaceous aerosols over Southeast Asia via reanalysis: Association with changes in vegetation cover and biomass burning Kalita, Gayatry, Kunchala, Ravi Kumar, Fadnavis, Suvarna, Kaskaoutis, Dimitris G. Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)
The Curious Case of the Missing Chinese Emissions Rodrigue, Joel, Sheng, Dan, Tan, Yong Aerosols, Aerosol Extinction, Aerosol Optical Depth/Thickness, Angstrom Exponent, Aerosol Particle Properties, Carbonaceous Aerosols, Dust/Ash/Smoke, Organic Particles, Sulfate Particles, Sulfur Oxides, Sulfur Compounds, Sulfate, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Particulate Matter, Dimethyl Sulfide, Black Carbon, Sea Salt, PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 2.5), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 1.0), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM 10)
You're viewing 12 of 12

Variables

The table below lists the variables contained within a single granule for this dataset. Variables often contain observed or derived geophysical measurements collected from a variety of sources, including remote sensing instruments on satellite and airborne platforms, field campaigns, in situ measurements, and model outputs. The terms variable, parameter, scientific data set, layer, and band have been used across NASA’s Earth science disciplines; however, variable is the designated nomenclature in NASA’s Common Metadata Repository (CMR). Variable metadata attributes such as Name, Description, Units, Data Type, Fill Value, Valid Range, and Scale Factor allow users to efficiently process and analyze the data. The full range of attributes may not be applicable to all variables. Additional information on variable attributes is typically available in the data, user guide, and/or other product documentation.

For questions on a specific variable, please use the Earthdata Forum.

Name Description Units Data Type Fill Value Valid Range Scale Factor Offset
BCANGSTR BCANGSTR 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
BCCMASS BCCMASS kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
BCEXTTAU BCEXTTAU 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
BCFLUXU BCFLUXU kg m-1 s-1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
BCFLUXV BCFLUXV kg m-1 s-1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
BCSCATAU BCSCATAU 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
BCSMASS BCSMASS kg m-3 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DMSCMASS DMSCMASS kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DMSSMASS DMSSMASS kg m-3 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUANGSTR DUANGSTR 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUCMASS DUCMASS kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUCMASS25 DUCMASS25 kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUEXTT25 DUEXTT25 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUEXTTAU DUEXTTAU 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUFLUXU DUFLUXU kg m-1 s-1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUFLUXV DUFLUXV kg m-1 s-1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUSCAT25 DUSCAT25 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUSCATAU DUSCATAU 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUSMASS DUSMASS kg m-3 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
DUSMASS25 DUSMASS25 kg m-3 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
lat lat degrees_north float64 N/A N/A N/A N/A
lon lon degrees_east float64 N/A N/A N/A N/A
OCANGSTR OCANGSTR 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
OCCMASS OCCMASS kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
OCEXTTAU OCEXTTAU 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
OCFLUXU OCFLUXU kg m-1 s-1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
OCFLUXV OCFLUXV kg m-1 s-1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
OCSCATAU OCSCATAU 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
OCSMASS OCSMASS kg m-3 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SO2CMASS SO2CMASS kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SO2SMASS SO2SMASS kg m-3 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SO4CMASS SO4CMASS kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SO4SMASS SO4SMASS kg m-3 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSANGSTR SSANGSTR 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSCMASS SSCMASS kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSCMASS25 SSCMASS25 kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSEXTT25 SSEXTT25 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSEXTTAU SSEXTTAU 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSFLUXU SSFLUXU kg m-1 s-1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSFLUXV SSFLUXV kg m-1 s-1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSSCAT25 SSSCAT25 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSSCATAU SSSCATAU 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSSMASS SSSMASS kg m-3 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SSSMASS25 SSSMASS25 kg m-3 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SUANGSTR SUANGSTR 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SUEXTTAU SUEXTTAU 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SUFLUXU SUFLUXU kg m-1 s-1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SUFLUXV SUFLUXV kg m-1 s-1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
SUSCATAU SUSCATAU 1 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
time time minutes since 2024-12-01 00:30:00 int32 N/A N/A N/A N/A
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