Distribution of stratospheric NO2 at 10 mbar: SME global morphology and comparison to LIMS observations

The Solar Mesosphere Explorer Satellite (SME) has measured stratospheric NO₂ since January 1982 using a visible light spectrometer. The presence of large amounts of aerosol injected into the stratosphere by El Chichon on April 4, 1982, temporarily prevented NO₂ data analysis. At the end of 1983 the volcanic aerosol content of the atmosphere, although present, had decreased sufficiently to again allow reliable NO₂ measurements. Monthly average results at 10 mbar are presented for a full year of SME observations, from October 1983 to September 1984. The observed morphology of NO₂ is discussed. Interesting features include large amounts of NO₂ in the summer hemisphere, with more in the south than the north. A low usually exists in the tropics. A comparison to Nimbus 7 Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere (LIMS) observations shows similar features.