BackForwardInstrument:  SME (VND) 

Instrument details
Acronym SME (VND)
Full name SME - Visible Nitrogen Dioxide
Purpose The objective of the Visible Nitrogen Dioxide Experiment was to measure the distribution of nitrogen dioxide in the 25 to 40-km altitude region.
Short description It measures the differential absorption of scattered sunlight by NO2 at two wavelengths near 4400 A. A dual-channel Ebert-Fastie spectrometer operated in the following wavelength intervals: 4390 to 4420 A and 3200 to 6400 A. The signal at half maximum had a full width of 9.8 A and 19.6 A, respectively.
Background Part of the NASA space weather measurement programme.
Scanning Technique
Resolution
Coverage / Cycle
Mass Power Data Rate

 

Providing Agency NASA
Instrument Maturity Flown on an R&D satellite
Utilization Period: 1981 to 1989
Last update: 2023-05-15
Detailed characteristics
Satellites this instrument is flying on

Note: a red tag indicates satellites no longer operational, a green tag indicates operational satellites, a blue tag indicates future satellites

Instrument classification
  • Earth observation instrument
  • Passive optical radiometer or spectrometer
  • Cross-nadir shortwave (UV/VIS) sounder
WIGOS Subcomponents
  • Subcomponent 1
  • UV/VIS/NIR sounders, nadir and limb
  • UV/VIS/NIR nadir sounder
Mission objectives
Primary mission objectives
  • N2O mole fraction
Evaluation of Measurements

The following list indicates which measurements can typically be retrieved from this category of instrument. To see a full Gap Analysis by Variable, click on the respective variable.

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Note: * Primary mission objective.