Michelson interferometer for passive atmospheric sounding for ENVISAT-1

MIPAS, the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric 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-1, 14.6 - 4.15 micrometers ), which will allow the simultaneous measurement of more than 20 atmospheric trace gases, including the complete NOy-family and several CFC's. MIPAS will provide global data coverage, including in particular the polar regions, where the stratospheric chemistry is currently exhibiting alarming changes.