Atmospheric sounding based on measurements of downwelling thermal IR radiation

The paper studies the possibility of simultaneous determination of the vert ical characteristics of temperature, moisture and ozone content based on gr ound measurements of downwelling thermal IR radiation in the region of the absorption bands for CO2 (15 mu m), O-3 (9 S mu m) and H2O (6.3 mu m). Meas uring apparatus of the Fourier-interferometer type with spectral resolution of the order of 0.25-1.0 cm(-1) in the 4-18 mu m measurement region is con sidered. It is shown that in conditions of a cloud-free atmosphere, the err or in determination of total ozone is 3.5-5.5%, for total moisture 2-4%, fo r tropospheric ozone 8-12% and for moisture in the lower troposphere 2-3%.