Solar occultation with SCIAMACHY: First results and validation
Abstract
SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY) has successfully been launched onboard ENVISAT (ENVIronmental SATellite) in March 2002. It is measuring scattered, reflected, and direct radiation in the UV-Vis-IR range in three different viewing geometries (nadir, limb, and solar/lunar occultation). The focus of this presentation is on first solar occultation results. The retrieval algorithm is based on the optimal estimation method. It is specialised on the spectral fitting of differential structures of radiation transmitted through the atmosphere. Height resolved profiles of O_3, NO_2, O_2, and CO_2 were derived from the occultation data. O_3 and NO_2 as natural first scientific goals can be retrieved with considerable accuracy. First results of the validation activities will be shown. Retrieved profiles of O_2 and CO_2 are used to improve the information about tangent heights as they are well mixed constituents of the atmosphere and can also be calculated from pressure and temperature profiles.
- Publication:
-
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003EAEJA.....3798M