The PARASOL micro satellite (Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectance for Atmospheric Sciences coupled with Observations from a Lidar), launched December 18, has provided its first images January 7, which confirm that the satellite, its instruments and the ground-based systems are working properly.
Observation in both spectral and polarized light has been made above Chadian desert and North Europe.
Measurements of the polarization of light reflected by the POLDER instrument (for POLarization and Directionality of the Earth¿s Reflectances) will enable to characterize radiative and microphysical properties of the observed clouds and aerosols.
PARASOL will reach its final orbit at an altitude of 705 kilometers in March 2005 and will then begin its scientific mission as a component of the orbital observatory "A-Train".
