We investigate the complex interaction of chemical and dynamical processes in the Earth's atmosphere on basis of distributions of trace gases, aerosols, clouds and temperature which we derive from spectral measurements of satellite remote sensing instruments. Our work field covers processing of satellite data and their validation, the research on physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere on the basis of the retrieved distributions of temperature, particles and trace gases, and the development and implementation of related satellite data analysis algorithms. The current focus of our work is the MIPAS-Envisat mission. The MIPAS satellite data derived by our group can be accessed here. Besides our work with MIPAS we are involved in the preparation of future space missions. On this website you find information about our publications, MIPAS-Envisat data, the annual MIPAS Data User Meeting, our radiative transfer model KOPRA, the team and our projects, as well as some pictures.
Highlight of the month:
Arctic winter 2010/2011 at the brink of an ozone hole
The left figure shows the Arctic "ozone hole" at 475 K (about 19 km) on March 31, 2011 as seen by MIPAS (colored circles) and simulated by a chemistry transport model (contours). The model captures excellently the amount of the ozone loss and its spatial distribution. Ozone volume mixing ratios as low as 0.5 ppmv are observed. The right figure compares vertically resolved observed minimum ozone on March 31, 2011 with model assessments. Minimum ozone concentrations of 0.3 ppmv are seen around 18 km (red dots), again in excellent agreement with the model mixing ratios (solid black line). The red and blue lines show the simulated minimum ozone for temperatures 1 K higher and lower, respectively. The triangles and crosses show simulated minimum ozone for a stratospheric halogen load reduced by 10%, and stratospheric water increased by 1 ppmv, respectively. Reduction of the stratospheric halogen load can counterbalance lower temperatures, while increased water vapor has the same effect as lower temperatures. In summary, in a future Arctic stratosphere with lower temperatures, increased water vapor but reduced halogens as expected for the next 20 years almost complete ozone loss is not improbable. more
