Low-cost microsatellite UV instrument suite for monitoring ozone and volcanic sulphur dioxide

J. A. Fernandez-Saldivar; C. I. Underwood; S. Mackin

doi:10.1117/12.689107

11 October 2006 Low-cost microsatellite UV instrument suite for monitoring ozone and volcanic sulphur dioxide

J. A. Fernandez-Saldivar, C. I. Underwood, S. Mackin

Proceedings Volume 6362, Remote Sensing of Clouds and the Atmosphere XI; 63621I (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.689107
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2006, Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract

The potential of microsatellite instrumentation is analysed in the context of volcanic plume monitoring. In October 1998 the Nyamuragira volcano (Dem. Rep. Congo, Africa) erupted releasing a significant amount of sulphur dioxide (SO₂). The Ozone Mapping Detector (OMAD) instrument on-board the FASAT-Bravo microsatellite observed this event as an anomaly in solar backscattered UV. The event was similarly detected by NASA's Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) with higher wavelength resolution. The response of the two instruments was analysed using instrument models and the MODTRAN radiative transfer code. Good quantitative agreement was observed despite the inherent instrumental differences. Volcanic plume events have been observed before by large space-based instruments, however this is the first such detection by a small, low-cost instrument operating on a microsatellite. Using OMAD as a basis, a new miniaturised UV spectrometer is proposed with the aim of monitoring volcanic-SO₂ plumes in the UV region between 305-315 nm, with additional channels at 340 nm and 360 nm for potential aerosol retrievals and processing purposes. This new instrument will use a Silicon Carbide (SiC) detector-array, due to its solar-visible-blind response and its high detectivity. This instrument concept, if flown in a constellation of microsatellites, can augment and complement current missions.

Citation Download Citation

J. A. Fernandez-Saldivar, C. I. Underwood, and S. Mackin "Low-cost microsatellite UV instrument suite for monitoring ozone and volcanic sulphur dioxide", Proc. SPIE 6362, Remote Sensing of Clouds and the Atmosphere XI, 63621I (11 October 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.689107

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