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www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/8/5901/2008/
doi:10.5194/acpd-8-5901-2008
© Author(s) 2008. This work is distributed
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Odin/OSIRIS observations of stratospheric NO3 through sunrise and sunset
1Environment Canada, Toronto, ON, M3H 5T4, Canada
2Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York Univ., Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
Abstract. The nitrate radical (NO3) has been detected in visible limb-scattered spectra measured by the Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imager System (OSIRIS) on-board the Odin satellite when observing at large solar zenith angles (91–97°). Apparent slant column densities of NO3 at tangent heights between 10 and 45 km are derived via spectral fitting in the 590–680 nm window. Using observations from multiple scans spanning solar zenith angles of 91–97°, the rapid evolution of NO3 through sunrise and sunset can be traced. Slant column densities are found to be consistent with those simulated using a radiative transfer model with coupled photochemistry. In addition, a strong dependence of NO3 with temperature is observed. These results indicate that OSIRIS possesses signal-to-noise sufficient to make useful measurements of scattered sunlight out to solar zenith angles of 96–97° and suggests the possibility of retrieving profile information for NO3 and other species at large solar zenith angles.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 740 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 4 Comments) Final Revised Paper (ACP)
Notice on Discussion StatusCitation: McLinden, C. A. and Haley, C. S.: Odin/OSIRIS observations of stratospheric NO3 through sunrise and sunset, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 8, 5901-5917, doi:10.5194/acpd-8-5901-2008, 2008. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
