Validation of SCIAMACHY Radiances and Ozone Products Using Ground and Space Observations

Validation of SCIAMACHY data products are is key element for the detecting a stratospheric ozone recovery, which is a high priority for environmental research and environmental policy. Models predict an ozone recovery at a much lower rate than the measured depletion rate observed to date. Therefore improved precision of the satellite and ground ozone observing systems are required over the long term to verify its recovery. We show that validation of satellite radiances from space and from the ground can be an effective means for correcting long term drifts of backscatter type satellite measurements such as SCIAMACHY and can be used to cross calibrate all BUV instruments in orbit (TOMS, SBUV/2, GOME, OMI, GOME-2, OMPS). This method bypasses the retrieval algorithms used for both satellite and ground based measurements that are normally used to validate and correct the satellite data. This approach however requires well calibrated instruments and an accurate radiative transfer model that accounts for aerosols. In addition to comparing radiances, validation of SCIAMACHY ozone products will conducted by comparing total and profile ozone with TOMS and SBUV/2.