Co2 Mole Fraction Measurement Instruments

Measurement Definition: 3D field of amount of CO2 (Carbon dioxide, 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
ACDLOperationalFor CO2 a pulsed dual-wavelength lidar alternately emits two pulsed lasers near 1572 nm in a sequential manner one in the CO2 absorption line and one off the line. For aerosol detection a high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) at 532 and 1064 nm.n/a
ACE-FTSOperational
+/-10 ppm
Measure 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
+/-1.5 ppm
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
CrISOperational
+/-2 ppm
Daily measurements of vertical atmospheric distribution of temperature, moisture, and pressure. MWIR non-operational on Suomi NPP effective 12 July 2021.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
HIRS/4Operational
+/-4 ppm
Atmospheric temperature profiles and data on cloud parameters, humidity soundings, water vapour, total ozone content, and surface temperatures. Same as HIRS/3, with 10 km IFOV.n/a
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
IRASOperational
+/-2 ppm
Atmospheric sounding for weather forecasting.n/a
Spectrometer (OCO-2)Operational
+/-1 ppm
Global measurements of atmospheric CO2 and SIF needed to describe the variability of CO2 sources and sinks.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
Spectrometer (OCO-3)Operational
+/-1 ppm
Global measurements of atmospheric CO2 and SIF needed to describe the variability of CO2 sources and sinks.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
TANSO-FTSOperational
+/-2 ppm
CO2 and CH4 distribution.High-resolution nadir-scanning IR spectrometer
TANSO-FTS-2OperationalCO2, CH4, and CO distribution.High-resolution nadir-scanning IR 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
+/-20 %
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
MicrocarbBeing developedMeasurement of CO2 concentration using CO2 absorption bands at 1607nm and 2046nmHigh-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
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
COSISApprovedIndependent verification of reported emissions as a cornerstone toward emission accounting and reduction measures such as agreed on in the Paris climate agreement. In 2018, coal-fired power plants accounted for 30% of the global man-made carbon dioxide emissions.High-resolution nadir-scanning IR spectrometer
ScepterSat InstrumentProposed n/a
TGSPProposedTrace gas measurements.n/a
TESNo longer operational
+/-1.3 ppm
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