SCanning Imaging Absorption SpectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY

SCIAMACHY is a joint project of Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium for global atmospheric measurements. It has been selected by ESA to fly on the Envisat-1 polar platform, which was launched on 3th March 2002.

Satellite ENVISAT

SCIAMACHY comprises a moderately high resolution (0.2-0.4 nm) spectrometer to observe transmitted, reflected and scattered light from the atmosphere in the UV, visible and near infrared wavelength regions over the range 240-1700 nm, and in 2 selected regions between 2.0 and 2.4 micron. The goal is to allow small optical absorptions (as small as 2E-4 in some regions of the spectrum) to be detected.

SCIAMACHY is designed to measure both tropospheric and stratospheric abundances of a number of atmospheric constituents, which take part in Ozone break-off or in the greenhouse effect. Targetted species are: in the troposphere - Ozone, O4, N2O, NO2, CH4, CO, CO2, H2O and aerosols and, in polluted conditions, SO2 in the stratosphere - Ozone, NO, NO2, NO3, CH4, CO2, H2O, ClO, OClO, BrO, aerosols, stratospheric clouds, and possibly, HCHO and CO.

SCIAMACHY is funded by the agencies DARA (Germany), NIVR (Netherlands) and the Belgian Federal Science Policy (OSTC services). The Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB) was present at SCIAMACHY proposal and now, the Polarization Measuring Device (PMD) has been built at the OIP company in Oudenaarde, the Institute will further specialize in the scientific use of this model as well as in the continuation of the validation activities initiated for GOME. It will also develop the scientific use of all channels in cooperation with the other SCIAMACHY partners.

Contact : Christian Muller / Jean-Christopher Lambert

More details about SCIAMACHY