Direct comparisons of GOMOS and SAGE III NO₃ vertical profiles

Abstract. In this paper, we present the first global comparisons between the two unique satellite-borne data sets of nitrogen trioxide (NO₃) vertical profiles retrieved from the GOMOS (Global Ozone Monitoring by the Occultation of Stars) stellar occultations and the SAGE III (Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment) lunar occultations. The comparison results indicate that between the altitudes 25 km and 45 km the median difference between these two data sets is within ± 25%. The study of zonal median profiles shows that the climatologies calculated from GOMOS and SAGE III profiles are comparable and represent the same features in all latitude bands. No clear systematic differences are observed. The median profiles are closest in the tropics and slightly deviating at high latitudes.