Aerosol absorption optical depth (column/profile) Measurement Instruments

Measurements > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Aerosol absorption optical depth (column/profile)
Measurement Definition: Optical depth (OD) is the integral of extinction in the vertical dimension (integral of extinction (km-1) dz). The transmittance of the atmosphere = T = Exp(-OD) = Exp(-Integral(extinction dz)).
InstrumentStatus/
Accuracy
Instrument DescriptionMeasurement TechnologyTimeline
ACE-FTSOperationalMeasure and understand the chemical processes that control the distribution of ozone in the Earth's atmosphere, especially at high altitudes. Monitoring the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), the UN Montreal Protocol, and Paris Climate Agreement. Contribute to GoC Methane Pledgen/a
AVHRR/3OperationalMeasurements of land and sea surface temperature, cloud cover, snow and ice cover, soil moisture and vegetation indices. Data also used for volcanic eruption monitoring.Multi-purpose imaging Vis/IR radiometer
GEMSOperationalMeasurements of atmospheric chemistry, precursors of aerosols and ozone in particular, in high temporal and spatial resolution over Asia.n/a
GOME-2OperationalMeasurement of total column amounts and stratospheric and tropospheric profiles of ozone. Also amounts of H20, NO2, OClO, BrO, SO2 and HCHO.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
HARP2OperationalPolarimeter for measuring aerosol optical properties, clouds and aerosol types.Multi-channel/direction/polarisation radiometer
MISROperationalMeasurements of global surface albedo, aerosol and vegetation properties. Also provides multi-angle bidirectional data (1% angle-to-angle accuracy) for cloud cover and reflectances at the surface and aerosol opacities. Global and local modes.Multi-channel/direction/polarisation radiometer
OMIOperationalMapping of ozone columns, key air quality components (NO2, SO2, BrO, OClO and aerosols), measurements of cloud pressure and coverage, global distribution and trends in UV-B radiation.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
PMAIOperationalExperimental instrument for aerosol and cloud measurements only for FY-3GMulti-purpose imaging Vis/IR radiometer
SounderOperationalAtmospheric soundings and data on atmospheric stability and thermal gradient winds.n/a
SPEXoneOperationalPolarimeter for measuring aerosol optical properties, clouds and aerosol types. Multi-angle spectro-polarimetry by spectral modulation technology. Distribution and detailed micro-phyiscal properties of atmospheric aerosol. Direct and indirect aerosol radiative forcing and their impact on climate. A second instance of this instrument is in development.Multi-channel/direction/polarisation radiometer
TROPOMIOperationalSupporting atmospheric composition and air quality monitoring services.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
UVNS (Sentinel-5)OperationalSupporting atmospheric composition and air quality monitoring services. Measurements of atmospheric trace gases, primarily O3, NO2, SO2, HCHO, CH4, CO, CHOCHO as well as Aerosols and UV Index.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
VIIRSOperationalGlobal observations of land, ocean, and atmosphere parameters: cloud/weather imagery, sea-surface temperature, ocean colour, land surface vegetation indices.Multi-purpose imaging Vis/IR radiometer
WildFireSat SensorBeing developedMeasurements are: Fire Radiative Power (FRP) for hotspot locations. Data products generated: 1) Fire maps showing location, extent, and timing of forest fire events; 2) Fire characteristics, such as fire line intensity and rate of spread; 3) Information enabling air quality modeling of wildland fire events; 4) Mass of carbon released into atmosphere due to biomass burning.Multi-purpose imaging Vis/IR radiometer
HiRDLSNo longer operationalMeasures atmospheric temperature, concentrations of ozone, water vapour, methane, NOx, N2O, CFCs and other minor species, aerosol concentration, location of polar stratospheric clouds and cloud tops. Currently not collecting data on Aqua.n/a