TOMS measurements

The TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) instrument measures ozone levels from the back-scattered sunlight. During the Antarctic winter (May - July), data is unavailable near the pole, which is is total darkness.

The following animation shows monthly averages of ozone over Antarctica, as measured by the TOMS satellite-borne ozone spectrometer. Depletion occurs in the Antarctic spring (September - November), and is usually most pronounced during October.

Note that the extent of depletion has increased greatly from 1978 (the first TOMS measurements) to 1992.

Here is a sequence of stills from this animation, taken at October each year.

Press "Reload" to restart animation.

© 1998. Centre for Atmospheric Science, Cambridge University, UK. No text or graphics can be used or reproduced without explicit written permission. This version designed and maintained by Dr. Glenn Carver. Original concept and design Owen Garrett.