Air Quality Measurements from Satellite

This figure shows CO averaging kernels of a TIR-sounder in a geostationary orbit. Averaging kernels show at which altitudes the retrieval is sensitive to the real atmosphere. For thermal infrared (TIR) nadir sounders it is a challenge particularly to sound the lowermost atmosphere. This figure proves the importance of thermal contrast between Earth surface and the lowermost atmosphere.

Besides their work with the MIPAS instrument, the Satellite group at IMK also supports data analysis work and feasibility studies for a bunch of current and future satellite missions. This example is from a cooperation with Meteo-France Toulouse, who use the IMK-made radiative transfer software KOPRA to assess the capability of thermal infrared air quality measurements.

Link: http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/4/297/2011/amt-4-297-2011.html