Trace gas densities and dynamics at and above the tropopause as derived from CRISTA data

The CRISTA system is highly flexible as regards the location where the measurements are taken. High data densities can be obtained by controlling the view directions of the three IR telescopes. This is used for a detailed validation of CRISTA H2O measurements at 12 km by means of an airplane experiment (FISH). The data are also used to determine water vapor variability at this altitude at mid latitudes. High data density allows detailed analysis of trace gas and temperature fields in the Indonesian region ("Hawk Eye" measurement mode). Pronounced small and medium-scale structures are found here at various altitudes (12-45 km). Considerable coupling of these structures is indicated and deserves future analysis.