OBJECTIVES
The GAPT has a long tradition on the study of the planetary atmospheres by analyzing their IR non-LTE emissions. We have participated in many space missions since the early 90's, as SAMS, ATMOS, ISAMS, and CLAES. More recently we have been Co-Is of the TIMED/SABER of NASA, Vex/VIRTIS, ETGO/NOMAD, and members of the SAG and QWG of Envisat/MIPAS. We are experts in non-LTE radiative transfer, in retrievals of temperature and composition from non-LTE IR emissions, and in the physics and chemistry of the middle and upper regions of planetary atmospheres. We also develop and use general circulation models (GCMs) to analyze the satellite data and to better understand the planetary atmospheres. Recently we have extend our studies to the exoatmospheres.
Our major objective is to improve our knowledge of the thermal structure, composition, dynamics, chemistry, radiation, energy budget and electrical activity of the atmospheres of the terrestrial planets (Earth, Mars, Venus and Titan) by analyzing the data supplied mainly by satellite instruments and by using numerical 3D models. A particular aspect is the study of the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere as driven by both natural and anthropogenic forcing. The specific objectives currently been addressed are:
(i) Insightful analysis of the temperature and composition (O3, H2O, CO, CO2, nitrogen oxides) data of the Earth's middle atmosphere from 2002 until 2014 taken by MIPAS/Envisat and SABER/TIMED. Validation of the data. To develop a comprehensive 3D database easy to access and use. Directly related to the H2020 Space program, Earth Observation, EO1 and EO5.
(ii) Preparation for and inversion and analysis of the NOMAD data of ESA Exo-Mars mission (H2020 Space Programme, COMPET 8: Scientific exploitation of data from Mars missions). The preparatory phase includes the analysis of previous instrument's data: PFS and Omega of Mars/Express and SOIR/VEX, the latter the predecessor of NOMAD. Development of 3D Global Circulations Models for Mars and Venus atmospheres.
(iii) Analysis of the measurements, taken and to be taken, by Cassini/VIMS of Titan's upper atmosphere. This includes CH4, HCN, PAHs, C2H2 and CO.
To apply our experience and adapt our codes to the study of non-LTE modelling of IR emission of exo-planetary atmospheres (within the CARMENES consortium and the future JWST observations).
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