An improved OSIRIS NO2 profile retrieval in the upper troposphere–lower stratosphere and intercomparison with ACE-FTS and SAGE III/ISS

The details of this retrieval are described and then the data are compared to coincident NO2 profiles from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) and the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III on the International Space Station (SAGE III/ISS).

The PRATMO photochemical box model was used to account for differences in the measurement times of the instruments: all datasets were scaled to the same local solar time of 12:00 LST. Coincident ACE-FTS and OSIRIS NO2 measurements agree within 20% throughout much of the stratosphere. Coincident SAGE III/ISS and OSIRIS NO2 measurements also agree within 20 %, with OSIRIS biased low at all altitudes and latitudes.