Description and validation of a limb scatter retrieval method for Odin/OSIRIS

Abstract

In this paper we present the Modified Onion Peeling (MOP) inversion method, which is for the first time used to retrieve vertical profiles of stratospheric trace gases from Odin/OSIRIS limb scatter measurements. Since the original publication of the method in 2002, the method has undergone major modifications discussed here. The MOP method now uses a spectral microwindow for the NO2 retrieval, instead of the wide UV‐visible band used for the ozone, air, and aerosol retrievals. We give a brief description of the algorithm itself and show its performance with both simulated and real data. Retrieved ozone and NO2 profiles from the OSIRIS measurements were compared with data from the GOMOS and HALOE instruments. No more than 5% difference was found between OSIRIS daytime and GOMOS nighttime ozone profiles between 21 and 45 km. The difference between OSIRIS and HALOE sunset NO2 mixing ratio profiles was at most 25% between 20 and 40 km. The neutral air density was compared with the ECMWF analyzed data and around 5% difference was found at altitudes from 20 to 55 km. However, OSIRIS observations yield as much as 80% greater aerosols number density than GOMOS observations between 15 and 35 km. These validation results indicate that the quality of MOP ozone, NO2, and neutral air is good. The new version of the method introduced here is also easily expanded to retrieve additional species of interest.