Heidelberg 2015 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

UP: Fachverband Umweltphysik

UP 5: Meßtechmik

UP 5.1: Invited Talk

Thursday, March 26, 2015, 08:45–09:15, G/gHS

Satellite remote sensing of atmospheric trace gases in the UV/vis spectral range: observing pollution in the atmospheric layer in which we live — •Thomas Wagner — MPI for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55131 Mainz

In 1995 the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) was launched. It was the first space-borne instrument recording continuous spectra of the backscattered solar radiation with moderate spectral resolution. Originally designed for the measurement of stratospheric ozone it soon turned out that also absorptions of several important tropospheric trace gases like NO2, SO2 or HCHO could be detected in GOME spectra. Because of the earth*s transparency in the UV / vis spectral range, even trace gases located close to the surface can be measured. Global maps of tropospheric trace gases measured by GOME and its successors (SCIAMACHY, OMI, and GOME-2) have revolutionised our understanding of the distribution of tropospheric pollutants. The presentation provides an overview on the measurement technique and highlights important results obtained during the last two decades. An outlook is given on planned near-future missions with largely improved spatial resolution.