Ozone, NO_2 and aerosol retrieval from SAGE III limb scatter measurements

摘要

The ability of SAGE III to retrieve ozone, NO_2 and aerosol vertical distribution within Earth atmosphere from limb scatter measurements is being investigated. The sunlight scattered by atmospheric gases and particulates (aerosol, clouds) and the Earth's surface is measured and spectrally dispersed by SAGE III spectrometer. Ozone density vertical profiles are retrieved from 10 km (or cloud top) to 50 km at a resolution of about 1 km and a precision of less than 10 % using Chappuis and Huggins ozone absorption bands. NO_2 vertical density profiles are retrieved from 15 to 40 km at a resolution of about 2 km and a precision of 20% using the NO_2 absorption features in the 430-450 nm spectral range. Aerosol extinction vertical profiles (from 15 to 30 km) are retrieved using a series of non absorbing channels. Retrieved products are compared with available correlative data (ozone sondes, SAGE III in occultation, OSIRIS).