Ch4 Mole Fraction Measurement Instruments

Measurement Definition: 3D field of amount of CH4 (Methane, expressed in moles) divided by the total amount of all constituents in dry air (also expressed in moles) - Resolution Units km, Measuring Units molecules.cm-2, Uncertainty Units %

Thematic Links
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.Limb-scanning IR spectrometer
AHSIOperationalGreenhouse Gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, etc), Atmospheric Pollutants (NO2, SO2, HCHO, etc)n/a
AIRSOperational
+/-1.2 %
High spectral resolution measurement of temperature and humidity profiles in the atmosphere. Long-wave Earth surface emissivity. Cloud diagnostics. Trace gas profiles. Surface temperatures.n/a
EMITOperationalImaging spectroscopy from the visible to short wavelength infrared (VSWIR) to determine surface mineral compostion in the Earth's arid land dust source regions.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
GASOperationalMeasures greenhouse gases.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
HSIOperationalDetailed monitoring and characterization of rock and soil targets, vegetation, inland and coastal waters on a global scale.n/a
HYCOperationalHyperspectral data for complex land ecosystem studies.n/a
IASIOperational
+/-20 %
Measures tropospheric moisture and temperature, column integrated contents of ozone, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrous oxide and other minor gases which affect tropospheric chemistry. Also measures sea surface and land temperature.n/a
IKFS-2OperationalAtmospheric temperature/humidity profiles, data on cloud parameters, water vapour & ozone column amounts, surface temperature.High-resolution nadir-scanning IR spectrometer
iSIM-90 imagerOperational n/a
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
SWIR Fizeau interferometerOperationalSWIR sensor based on a Fizeau interferometer to detect and quantify facility-scale CH4 emissionsHigh-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
TANSO-FTSOperational
+/-0.5 %
CO2 and CH4 distribution.High-resolution nadir-scanning IR spectrometer
TANSO-FTS-2OperationalCO2, CH4, and CO distribution.High-resolution nadir-scanning IR spectrometer
TROPOMIOperational
+/-2 %
Supporting atmospheric composition and air quality monitoring services.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
ACXBeing developed n/a
AIRMO SpectrometerBeing developedPrecise and close to real-time data on CH4 and CO2 emissionsHigh-resolution nadir-scanning IR spectrometer
CO2IBeing developedPushbroom scanning spectrometer to provide relatively high spatial resolution CO2, CH4 and NO2 observations in support of estimating anthropogenic emissions of CO2 and CH4 in Copernicus. In addition, high quality NO2 and solar-induced fluorescence will be operationally delivered.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
CWFMSBeing developedMeasurements are: Fire Radiative Power (FRP), hotspot locations, rate of spread, burned area mapping. Data products generated: 1) Fire maps, showing location, extent, and timing of forest fire events; 2) Fire characteristics, such as fire line intensity, rate of spread and fuel consumption; 3) Plume dynamics through smoke transport maps and plume heights; 4) Mass of carbon released into atmosphere.n/a
HSI SWIR Being developedCryo-cooled Hyperspectral MCT sensor to detect and quantify facility-scale CH4 emissionsHigh-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
IASI-NGBeing developed
+/-12 %
Measures profiles of atmospheric temperature, humidity, ozone, carbon monoxide, columns of methane, nitrous oxide, and other minor gases, and sea, ice, and land surface temperature and emissivity. Provides information on aeorols and cloud: fractional coverage, phase, cloud top height (input to Polar AMVs) and particle size. Prime applications: NWP, AC/AQ, climate. Secondary applications: NWC, land/ocean surface monitoring. IASI-NG will resume IASI role as internationl standard for satellite inter-calibration (GSICS).n/a
Micro-LiDaRBeing developed n/a
TANSO-3Being developedGlobal and regional concentration mapping of CO2, CH4, and NO2 for global monitoring of GHG concentrations, verification of emission inventories, and detection of emissions from large sources.High-resolution nadir-scanning IR spectrometer
UVSQ-Sat NG SpectrometerBeing developedThis NIR Spectrometer fits within a volume of less than 1 unit (10 × 10 × 10 cm) and has a 15 mm aperture. It is composed of a 300 groves/mm grating and an Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) linear image sensor equipped with a Peltier thermoelectric cooler, offering integration times ranging from 0.5 to 4 s. Improved results (GHG observations) can be achieved if the Uvsq-Sat NG NIR Spectrometer temperature is maintained below −5 °C.n/a
IPDA LIDARApproved
+/-2 %
'Active' optical remote sensing instrument for atmospheric parameters or trace gases. Global information on atmospheric Methane concentration (Methane column density measurements).n/a
IKFS-3ProposedAtmospheric temperature/humidity profiles, data on cloud parameters, water vapour & ozone column amounts, surface temperature.High-resolution nadir-scanning IR spectrometer
ScepterSat InstrumentProposed n/a
TGSPProposedTrace gas measurements.n/a
HiRDLSNo longer operational
+/-1 %
Measures 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.Limb-scanning IR spectrometer
TESNo longer operational
+/-0.7 %
3D profiles on a global scale of all infra-red active species from surface to lower stratosphere. Measures greenhouse gas concentrations, tropospheric ozone, acid rain precursors, gas exchange leading to stratospheric ozone depletion.High-resolution nadir-scanning IR spectrometer