SCIAMACHY

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SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric CHartographY; greek: σκιάμάχη: analogously: 'Fighting shadows') is one of ten instruments aboard of ESA's ENVIronmental SATellite, ENVISAT.

SCIAMACHY is a satellite spectrometer designed to measure sunlight, transmitted, reflected and scattered by the earth atmosphere or surface in the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared wavelength region (240 nm - 2380 nm) at moderate spectral resolution (0,2 nm - 1,5 nm). SCIAMACHY aboard the ENVISAT satellite was launched by ESA (European Space Agency) from Kourou, French-Guayana, in March 2002. The absorption, reflection and scattering characteristics of the atmosphere are determined by measuring the extraterrestrial solar irradiance and the upwelling radiance observed in different viewing geometries.

SCIAMACHY, Nadir and Limb scanning.

The ratio of extraterrestrial irradiance and the upwelling radiance can be inverted to provide information about the amounts and distribution of important atmospheric constituents, which absorb or scatter light, and the spectral reflectance (or albedo) of the earth's surface. SCIAMACHY was conceived to improve our global knowledge and understanding of a variety of issues of importance for the chemistry and physics of the Earth atmosphere (troposphere, stratosphere and mesosphere) and potential changes resulting from either anthropogenic behavior or natural phenomena.