The ENVISAT Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS)

MIPAS, the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospherice Sounding, is a high-resolution Fourier-transform spectrometer designed to measure concentration profiles of atmospheric constituents on a global scale. It will observe the atmospheric emissions from the Earth horizon (limb) throughout the mid infrared region (685-2410 cm/sup -1/, 14.6-4.15 /spl mu/m), which will allow the simultaneous measurement of more than 20 atmospheric trace gases, including the complete NOy-family and several CFCs. MIPAS will provide global data coverage, including in particular the polar regions, where the stratospheric chemistry is currently exhibiting alarming changes.