The SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) is a passive remote sensing spectrometer observing radiation that is backscattered, reflected, transmitted or emitted by the Earth's atmosphere and surface, in the wavelength range between 240 and 2380 nm.
The instrument was launched on board the Envisat satellite which was operational from March 2002 until April 2012.
The primary scientific objective of SCIAMACHY is the global measurement of various trace gases in the troposphere and stratosphere, which are retrieved from the solar irradiance and Earth radiance spectra. The large wavelength range that is covered by the instrument is also ideally suited for the observation of clouds and aerosols. Validation of SCIAMACHY is essential to ensure the quality of all derived products.