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Arsenović P, Rozanov E, Usoskin I, Turney C, Sukhodolov T, McCracken K, Friedel M, Anet J, Simić S, Maliniemi V, Egorova T, Korte M, Rieder H, Cooper A, Peter T. Global impacts of an extreme solar particle event under different geomagnetic field strengths. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321770121. [PMID: 38950370 PMCID: PMC11252817 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321770121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Solar particle events (SPEs) are short-lived bursts of high-energy particles from the solar atmosphere and are widely recognized as posing significant economic risks to modern society. Most SPEs are relatively weak and have minor impacts on the Earth's environment, but historic records contain much stronger SPEs which have the potential to alter atmospheric chemistry, impacting climate and biological life. The impacts of such strong SPEs would be far more severe when the Earth's protective geomagnetic field is weak, such as during past geomagnetic excursions or reversals. Here, we model the impacts of an extreme SPE under different geomagnetic field strengths, focusing on changes in atmospheric chemistry and surface radiation using the atmosphere-ocean-chemistry-climate model SOCOL3-MPIOM and the radiation transfer model LibRadtran. Under current geomagnetic conditions, an extreme SPE would increase NOx concentrations in the polar stratosphere and mesosphere, causing reductions in extratropical stratospheric ozone lasting for about a year. In contrast, with no geomagnetic field, there would be a substantial increase in NOx throughout the entire atmosphere, resulting in severe stratospheric ozone depletion for several years. The resulting ground-level ultraviolet (UV) radiation would remain elevated for up to 6 y, leading to increases in UV index up to 20 to 25% and solar-induced DNA damage rates by 40 to 50%. The potential evolutionary impacts of past extreme SPEs remain an important question, while the risks they pose to human health in modern conditions continue to be underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavle Arsenović
- Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, Department of Water, Atmosphere, and Environment, BOKU University, Vienna1180, Austria
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH, Zürich8092, Switzerland
| | - Eugene Rozanov
- Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos und World Radiation Center (PMOD/WRC), Davos7260, Switzerland
- Ozone Layer and Upper Atmosphere Research Laboratory, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg198504, Russia
| | - Ilya Usoskin
- Space Physics and Astronomy Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu90014, Finland
| | - Chris Turney
- Institute for Sustainable Futures, Division of Research, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW2007, Australia
| | - Timofei Sukhodolov
- Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos und World Radiation Center (PMOD/WRC), Davos7260, Switzerland
| | - Ken McCracken
- Institute for Sustainable Futures, Division of Research, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW2007, Australia
| | - Marina Friedel
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH, Zürich8092, Switzerland
| | - Julien Anet
- Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, MeteoSwiss, Zurich8058, Switzerland
| | - Stana Simić
- Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, Department of Water, Atmosphere, and Environment, BOKU University, Vienna1180, Austria
| | - Ville Maliniemi
- Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu90014, Finland
| | - Tatiana Egorova
- Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos und World Radiation Center (PMOD/WRC), Davos7260, Switzerland
| | - Monika Korte
- Geophysics Department, Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam – Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam14473, Germany
| | - Harald Rieder
- Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, Department of Water, Atmosphere, and Environment, BOKU University, Vienna1180, Austria
| | - Alan Cooper
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW2640, Australia
| | - Thomas Peter
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH, Zürich8092, Switzerland
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Kalakoski N, Verronen PT, Szeląg ME, Jackman CH. Global ozone loss following extreme solar proton storms based on the July 2012 coronal mass ejection. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13873. [PMID: 37620392 PMCID: PMC10449785 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40129-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Large solar coronal mass ejections pose a threat in the near-Earth space. As a cause of extreme periods of space weather, they can damage satellite-based communications and create geomagnetically induced currents in power and energy grids. Further, the solar wind energetic particles can reduce the protecting layer of atmospheric ozone and pose a threat to life on Earth. The large coronal mass ejection (CME) of July 2012, although directed away from the Earth, is often highlighted as a prime example of a potentially devastating super storm. Here we show, based on proton fluxes recorded by the instruments aboard the STEREO-A satellite, that the atmospheric response to the July 2012 event would have been comparable to those of the largest solar proton events of the satellite era. Significant impact on total ozone outside polar regions would require a much larger event, similar to those recorded in historical proxy data sets. Such an extreme event would cause long-term ozone reduction all the way to the equator and increase the size, duration, and depth of the Antarctic ozone hole. The impact would be comparable to predicted drastic and sudden ozone reduction from major volcanic eruptions, regional nuclear conflicts, or long-term stratospheric geoengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niilo Kalakoski
- Space and Earth Observation Centre, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Pekka T Verronen
- Space and Earth Observation Centre, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
- Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu, Sodankylä, Finland
| | - Monika E Szeląg
- Space and Earth Observation Centre, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
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Airapetian VS, Jackman CH, Mlynczak M, Danchi W, Hunt L. Atmospheric Beacons of Life from Exoplanets Around G and K Stars. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14141. [PMID: 29097693 PMCID: PMC5668363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14192-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The current explosion in detection and characterization of thousands of extrasolar planets from the Kepler mission, the Hubble Space Telescope, and large ground-based telescopes opens a new era in searches for Earth-analog exoplanets with conditions suitable for sustaining life. As more Earth-sized exoplanets are detected in the near future, we will soon have an opportunity to identify habitale worlds. Which atmospheric biosignature gases from habitable planets can be detected with our current capabilities? The detection of the common biosignatures from nitrogen-oxygen rich terrestrial-type exoplanets including molecular oxygen (O2), ozone (O3), water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) requires days of integration time with largest space telescopes, and thus are very challenging for current instruments. In this paper we propose to use the powerful emission from rotational-vibrational bands of nitric oxide, hydroxyl and molecular oxygen as signatures of nitrogen, oxygen, and water rich atmospheres of terrestrial type exoplanets "highlighted" by the magnetic activity from young G and K main-sequence stars. The signals from these fundamental chemical prerequisites of life we call atmospheric "beacons of life" create a unique opportunity to perform direct imaging observations of Earth-sized exoplanets with high signal-to-noise and low spectral resolution with the upcoming NASA missions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Linda Hunt
- NASA/LARC, Hampton, VA, USA
- SSAI, Hampton, VA, USA
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Simulation of Particle Precipitation Effects on the Atmosphere with the MESSy Model System. CLIMATE AND WEATHER OF THE SUN-EARTH SYSTEM (CAWSES) 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-4348-9_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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5
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Grenfell JL, Grießmeier JM, von Paris P, Patzer ABC, Lammer H, Stracke B, Gebauer S, Schreier F, Rauer H. Response of atmospheric biomarkers to NO(x)-induced photochemistry generated by stellar cosmic rays for earth-like planets in the habitable zone of M dwarf stars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2012; 12:1109-22. [PMID: 23215581 PMCID: PMC3522229 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2011.0682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding whether M dwarf stars may host habitable planets with Earth-like atmospheres and biospheres is a major goal in exoplanet research. If such planets exist, the question remains as to whether they could be identified via spectral signatures of biomarkers. Such planets may be exposed to extreme intensities of cosmic rays that could perturb their atmospheric photochemistry. Here, we consider stellar activity of M dwarfs ranging from quiet up to strong flaring conditions and investigate one particular effect upon biomarkers, namely, the ability of secondary electrons caused by stellar cosmic rays to break up atmospheric molecular nitrogen (N(2)), which leads to production of nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) in the planetary atmosphere, hence affecting biomarkers such as ozone (O(3)). We apply a stationary model, that is, without a time dependence; hence we are calculating the limiting case where the atmospheric chemistry response time of the biomarkers is assumed to be slow and remains constant compared with rapid forcing by the impinging stellar flares. This point should be further explored in future work with time-dependent models. We estimate the NO(x) production using an air shower approach and evaluate the implications using a climate-chemical model of the planetary atmosphere. O(3) formation proceeds via the reaction O+O(2)+M→O(3)+M. At high NO(x) abundances, the O atoms arise mainly from NO(2) photolysis, whereas on Earth this occurs via the photolysis of molecular oxygen (O(2)). For the flaring case, O(3) is mainly destroyed via direct titration, NO+O(3)→NO(2)+O(2), and not via the familiar catalytic cycle photochemistry, which occurs on Earth. For scenarios with low O(3), Rayleigh scattering by the main atmospheric gases (O(2), N(2), and CO(2)) became more important for shielding the planetary surface from UV radiation. A major result of this work is that the biomarker O(3) survived all the stellar-activity scenarios considered except for the strong case, whereas the biomarker nitrous oxide (N(2)O) could survive in the planetary atmosphere under all conditions of stellar activity considered here, which clearly has important implications for missions that aim to detect spectroscopic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Lee Grenfell
- Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik, Technische Universität Berlin TUB, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
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Jones A, Qin G, Strong K, Walker KA, McLinden CA, Toohey M, Kerzenmacher T, Bernath PF, Boone CD. A global inventory of stratospheric NOyfrom ACE-FTS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1029/2010jd015465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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7
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Verronen PT, Santee ML, Manney GL, Lehmann R, Salmi SM, Seppälä A. Nitric acid enhancements in the mesosphere during the January 2005 and December 2006 solar proton events. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1029/2011jd016075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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8
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Wissing JM, Kallenrode MB, Wieters N, Winkler H, Sinnhuber M. Atmospheric Ionization Module Osnabrück (AIMOS): 2. Total particle inventory in the October-November 2003 event and ozone. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2009ja014419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. M. Wissing
- FB Physik; University of Osnabrück; Osnabrück Germany
| | | | - N. Wieters
- Institute for Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - H. Winkler
- Institute for Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - M. Sinnhuber
- Institute for Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
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9
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Winkler H, Kazeminejad S, Sinnhuber M, Kallenrode MB, Notholt J. Conversion of mesospheric HCl into active chlorine during the solar proton event in July 2000 in the northern polar region. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1029/2008jd011587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Winkler
- Institute of Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - S. Kazeminejad
- Institute of Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - M. Sinnhuber
- Institute of Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | | | - J. Notholt
- Institute of Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
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Wissing JM, Kallenrode MB. Atmospheric Ionization Module Osnabrück (AIMOS): A 3-D model to determine atmospheric ionization by energetic charged particles from different populations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1029/2008ja013884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. M. Wissing
- FB Physik; University of Osnabrück; Osnabrück Germany
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Seppälä A, Clilverd MA, Rodger CJ. NOxenhancements in the middle atmosphere during 2003–2004 polar winter: Relative significance of solar proton events and the aurora as a source. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006jd008326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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12
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Fleming EL, Jackman CH, Weisenstein DK, Ko MKW. The impact of interannual variability on multidecadal total ozone simulations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006jd007953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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13
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Randall CE, Harvey VL, Singleton CS, Bailey SM, Bernath PF, Codrescu M, Nakajima H, Russell JM. Energetic particle precipitation effects on the Southern Hemisphere stratosphere in 1992–2005. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006jd007696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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14
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López-Puertas M, Funke B, Gil-López S, von Clarmann T, Stiller GP, Höpfner M, Kellmann S, Mengistu Tsidu G, Fischer H, Jackman CH. HNO3, N2O5, and ClONO2enhancements after the October-November 2003 solar proton events. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1029/2005ja011051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. López-Puertas
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada Spain
| | - B. Funke
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada Spain
| | - S. Gil-López
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada Spain
| | - T. von Clarmann
- Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung; Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe und Universität Karlsruhe; Karlsruhe Germany
| | - G. P. Stiller
- Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung; Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe und Universität Karlsruhe; Karlsruhe Germany
| | - M. Höpfner
- Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung; Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe und Universität Karlsruhe; Karlsruhe Germany
| | - S. Kellmann
- Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung; Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe und Universität Karlsruhe; Karlsruhe Germany
| | | | - H. Fischer
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Greenbelt Maryland USA
| | - C. H. Jackman
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Greenbelt Maryland USA
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Gopalswamy N, Barbieri L, Cliver EW, Lu G, Plunkett SP, Skoug RM. Introduction to violent Sun-Earth connection events of October-November 2003. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1029/2005ja011268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. Gopalswamy
- Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Greenbelt Maryland USA
| | - L. Barbieri
- Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Greenbelt Maryland USA
| | - E. W. Cliver
- Space Vehicles Directorate; Air Force Research Laboratory; Hanscom Air Force Base Massachusetts USA
| | - G. Lu
- High Altitude Observatory; National Center for Atmospheric Research; Boulder Colorado USA
| | | | - R. M. Skoug
- Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos New Mexico USA
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López-Puertas M, Funke B, Gil-López S, von Clarmann T, Stiller GP, Höpfner M, Kellmann S, Fischer H, Jackman CH. Observation of NOxenhancement and ozone depletion in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres after the October-November 2003 solar proton events. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1029/2005ja011050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. López-Puertas
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada Spain
| | - B. Funke
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada Spain
| | - S. Gil-López
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada Spain
| | - T. von Clarmann
- Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung; Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe und Universität Karlsruhe; Karlsruhe Germany
| | - G. P. Stiller
- Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung; Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe und Universität Karlsruhe; Karlsruhe Germany
| | - M. Höpfner
- Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung; Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe und Universität Karlsruhe; Karlsruhe Germany
| | - S. Kellmann
- Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung; Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe und Universität Karlsruhe; Karlsruhe Germany
| | - H. Fischer
- Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung; Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe und Universität Karlsruhe; Karlsruhe Germany
| | - C. H. Jackman
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Greenbelt Maryland USA
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Rohen G, von Savigny C, Sinnhuber M, Llewellyn EJ, Kaiser JW, Jackman CH, Kallenrode MB, Schröter J, Eichmann KU, Bovensmann H, Burrows JP. Ozone depletion during the solar proton events of October/November 2003 as seen by SCIAMACHY. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1029/2004ja010984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Rohen
- Institute of Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - C. von Savigny
- Institute of Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - M. Sinnhuber
- Institute of Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - E. J. Llewellyn
- Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies, Department of Physics and Physics Engineering; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
| | - J. W. Kaiser
- Remote Sensing Laboratories, Department of Geography; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - C. H. Jackman
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Greenbelt Maryland USA
| | | | - J. Schröter
- Physics Department; University of Osnabrück; Osnabrück Germany
| | - K.-U. Eichmann
- Institute of Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - H. Bovensmann
- Institute of Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
| | - J. P. Burrows
- Institute of Environmental Physics; University of Bremen; Bremen Germany
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