Sensitivity of radiometric measurements of the atmospheric CO2 column fromspace

Anthropogenic emissions of CO2 over the past century has altered significan tly the global carbon cycle. Our understanding of the long-term climatic ef fects of these emissions would be improved greatly by satellite-based remot e sounding of CO2. We provide an initial analysis of a simple satellite-bas ed filter radiometer tuned to the spectral region around 6300 cm(-1) (appro ximate to1.6 mum) to measure the atmospheric column of CO2 from space. We f ind that such an instrument has potential and that the sensitivity would be limited by our knowledge of the tropospheric temperature and water-vapor p rofiles. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America