Sciamachy - Exploring the Changing Earth’s Atmosphere

SCIAMACHY, the SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHar­tographY, is a passive sensor for exploring the Earth's atmosphere. It is part of the payload of the European Earth Observation mission ENVISAT, launched on 1 March 2002. SCIAMACHY observes absorption spectra of molecules from the UV (214 nm) to the short-wave infrared wavelength range (2386 nm) and derives the atmospheric composition - trace gases, aerosols, clouds - from these measurements. Having meanwhile successfully monitored and explored the Earth's atmosphere for more than 8 years, new and exciting insights into the Earth-atmosphere system are obtained. The provided global data sets do not only cover greenhouse gases and pollutants in the troposphere or the ozone chemistry in the stratosphere but even reach up to the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. They contribute significantly to atmospheric physics and chemistry as well as climate change research.

provides a complete description of an Earth Observation mission from requirements to results

Foreword.- 1. SCIAMACHY - The Need for Atmospheric Research from Space.- 2. ENVISAT - SCIAMACHY's Host.- 3. The Instrument.- 4. Instrument Operations.- 5. Calibration and Monitoring.- 6. SCIAMACHY In-Orbit Operations and Performance.- 7. From Radiation Fields to Atmospheric Concentrations - Retrieval of Geophysical Parameters.- 8. Data Processing and Products.- 9. Validation.- 10. SCIAMACHY's View of the Changing Earth's Environment.- Index.