SCIAMACHY: an atmospheric chemistry instrument on ENVISAT

Abstract

SCIAMACHY is an advanced spectrometer covering a wide spectral range (240 nm to 2400 nm) at medium resolution (0.2 to 1.4 nm) that measures a large number of atmospheric trace gases relevant for ozone chemistry and greenhouse radiation studies. SCIAMACHY will be part of the ESA ENVISAT atmospheric chemistry module scheduled for launch at the end of the year 2000. SCIAMACHY will observe the Earth atmosphere in alternate limb/nadir view, sampling the same air volume with approx 3 km vertical and 30/spl times/60 km/sup 2/ horizontal resolution. This paper presents a brief account of the instrument concept, its operation modes and its retrieved data products. Some recent instrument test results and retrieved data accuracy simulations are presented.