Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a multi-slit hyperspectral imager. The imager is configured with multiple slits that are parallel to one another. Each slit produces its own hyperspectral cube and is limited to a specific wavelength range. The multiple slits produce multiple data sets, obtained in quick succession, for the same section of an area to be imaged. In optical spectrometry applications such as trace gas sensing and quantification, this allows for improved measurement precision. The imager may be used for any gas of interest by adjusting the wavelength range to one that contains absorption features of the targeted gas.

Abstract: System and method for estimating how an atmospheric gas is distributed. A server receives prior data related to historical and/or theoretical global patterns of the gas, as well as measurements of the concentration and/or emission of the gas. The server passes the data and measurements to a database for storage and/or to at least one processor, which applies statistical inference methods to estimate a probability distribution of gas concentration and emission within the region. In one embodiment, the entire atmosphere is divided into numerous regions, and gas distributions are evaluated in each region, to thereby produce an estimated distribution covering the atmosphere. In some embodiments, the regions are divisions of an equirectangular projection of the Earth's surface and have a length and width of 0.025°.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices relating to optical imaging systems for gathering data on atmospheric trace gas emissions from a satellite. An optical system used in the satellite has a Fabry-Perot interferometer coupled to a suitable telescope. The interferometer is a wide angle Fabry-Perot interferometer which creates a fringing pattern in concentric circles with each fringe being a different wavelength on the imaging system. A filter is used with the optical system and allows multiple adjacent modes in a selected spectral range to pass through the interferometer to the imaging system. Each pixel in the imaging system collects light at multiple wavelengths within the selected spectral range. The optical system gathers multiple images of the target area allowing light from the target area to be collected at multiple different wavelengths. Different absorption data for different atmospheric trace gases can be gathered in a single satellite pass over the target area.