The Atmospheric Emissions and Reactions Observed from Megacities to Marine Areas (AEROMMA) was a field campaign led by NOAA’s Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL). AEROMMA focused on addressing needs in urban air quality, marine emissions, climate feedback, and atmospheric interactions at the marine-urban interface. It included a single deployment during the boreal summer of 2023 across major coastal and inland cities in the eastern and western United States. The NASA DC-8 aircraft was equipped with several in situ instruments to analyze atmospheric composition in urban and marine settings. Additional ground-based and airborne measurements were also collected. AEROMMA was mainly funded by NOAA, with NASA as a significant participant.
2023-06-12 — 2023-08-27
Urban regions across the western and eastern United States
The Airborne Carbonic Oxides and Sulfide Spectrometer (ACOS) is an in situ airborne spectrometer operated by NOAA. It is a modified Los Gatos Research (LGR) Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectrometer (OA-ICOS) used to measure carbonyl sulfide (OCS), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and atmospheric water vapor. ACOS provides these measurements simultaneously at a typical measurement rate of 1 Hz.
The NOAA Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer (NOAA-CIMS) is an in situ airborne spectrometer developed by NOAA. It was designed to provide high-precision measurements of reactive nitrogen and halogen species such as nitric acid, nitric oxide, and bromine chloride in the upper atmosphere. It can also provide measurements of ozone and water vapor concentrations. NOAA-CIMS has a detection limit of 30 pptv and a temporal resolution of 1 second.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Water Vapor
The Particle Into Liquid Sampler (PILS) is an in situ aerosol sampler manufactured by Brechtel Manufacturing Inc. PILS can be used by both ground-based and airborne platforms to gather continuous data on ambient aerosol bulk composition. The particles collected by PILS are mixed with saturated water vapor to form droplets that are analyzed by either an ion chromatograph (IC) or a total organic carbon detector (TOC). PILS can detect aerosol particles ranging from 70 nm to 2.5 μm in size and offers a time resolution of 3 minutes for airborne measurements and 15 minutes for ground-based measurements.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Chemical Composition
The HR-AMS is an upgraded version of Aerodyne’s AMS instrument. HR-AMS has a high spatial resolution and a time-of-flight measurement technique. HR-AMS is a mass spectrometer that measures aerosols in the troposphere.
Generic-Chemistry Related Sensors (Gen-Chemistry) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for atmospheric chemistry measurements. These are typically in situ analyzers that measure various chemical compounds such as trace gases, halocarbons, volatile organic compounds, nitrates, aerosols, and other chemical species. Measurements can include mixing ratio, composition, particle size, optical properties, and particle size distribution.
The Proton Transfer Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS) is an in situ spectrometer used both on aircraft and ground, developed by the University of Innsbruck in Austria. It detects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) without the need for sample preparation at very low concentrations. PTR-MS employs chemical ionization mass spectrometry, enabling quick and highly sensitive VOC detection. It has a signal integration time ranging from 0.5 to 1 second.
The Picarro gas concentration analyzer is an in situ airborne or ground-based sensor manufactured by Picarro, Inc. It uses Wavelength-Scanned Cavity Ring Spectroscopy (WS-CRDS) to measure trace gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and water vapor. For carbon dioxide measurements, the laser within Picarro operates at 1603 nm wavelength, while 1651 nm wavelength is used for methane and water vapor measurements. Picarro has a typical sampling time of 2.5 seconds. Depending on the model, Picarro can also provide measurements of carbon isotopes for gas concentrations.
The Programmable Flask Package (PFP) is an airborne whole-air sampler. It includes twelve glass flasks for collecting air samples. These samples are then analyzed to monitor chemical species such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons. Each flask is sampled for about 2 minutes and pressurized to 40 PSI. PFP can also be utilized for surface-based whole-air sampling.
The Cloud Aerosol and Precipitation Spectrometer (CAPS) is an in situ airborne spectrometer manufactured by Droplet Measurement Technologies. It combines the Cloud Imaging Probe (CIP), the Cloud and Aerosol Spectrometer (CAS), and the Hotwire Liquid Water Content (LWC) Sensor into a single instrument. CAPS measures the size distribution of aerosol, cloud, and liquid droplets for particles between 50-1600 μm in size, with a time resolution of 1 Hz. It can also capture images of cloud particles and provide measurements of temperature, pressure, and LWC.
The Ultra-High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer (UHSAS) is an in situ spectrometer developed by Droplet Measurement Technologies. It can be used on both airborne and ground-based platforms to measure aerosol size distribution and concentration. UHSAS determines particle size by detecting the peak light signals from aerosol particles illuminated by a 1054 nm laser. It can sample particles in the 60–1000 nm size range and operates at a sampling frequency of 10 Hz.
The Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry (PALMS) is a laser ionization mass spectrometer operated by NOAA. PALMS provides in situ measurements of aerosol particles and their chemical composition by using a UV laser pulse (193 nm) to generate ions. These ions are then analyzed with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to produce the mass spectrum of each particle, which can be used to classify individual aerosol particles. PALMS has an aerosol size range of 0.2 to 3 microns and typically collects data at about 1 to 10 Hz. It can be used for either airborne or laboratory aerosol measurements.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Chemical Composition
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols
The Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) is an in situ laser-induced photometer developed by Droplet Measurement Technologies. SP2 measures the black carbon (BC) mass in individual aerosol particles, along with their optical and physical properties that contain BC. The device detects aerosol particles with diameters of 200-400 nm and can analyze up to 25,000 particles per second. It operates at a sampling rate of 1 Hz and uses a wavelength of 1.06 μm. It can be used on airborne or ground-based platforms and paired with a Humidified-Dual SP2 (HD-SP2).
The Whole Air Sampler (WAS) is an airborne in-situ instrument that collects air samples for analyzing trace gases, such as nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), halocarbons, alkyl nitrates, and various sulfur compounds found in the troposphere. Air samples collected by the WAS are then analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify the gases present. The WAS collects samples every minute, allowing scientists to get a clear picture of the environment's chemical composition as research aircraft pass through.
The Condensation Nuclei Counter (CNC) is optical method for
counting atmospheric aerosol particles.
Earth Science > >
The Nucleation-mode Aerosol Size Spectrometer (NMASS) is an airborne, in situ spectrometer used to measure particle size distribution and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). NMASS includes five parallel condensation nucleus counters (CNCs) that sample particles within the 3 to 60 nm diameter range. It can be mounted on various types of aircraft and is ideal for sampling cirrus clouds in the upper atmosphere. NMASS delivers rapid measurements with a temporal resolution of 10 Hz.
The Diode Laser Hygrometer (DLH) is an in situ airborne hygrometer developed by NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC). It uses tunable diode laser absorption to detect water vapor in the atmosphere. DLH operates in the near-infrared range at about 1.4 μm and has a measurement frequency of 100 Hz. It can deliver precise measurements of water vapor even when flying through clouds.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity > Relative Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
The In Situ Airborne Formaldehyde (ISAF) is an airborne optical sensor developed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). ISAF uses laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) to measure formaldehyde throughout the troposphere and lower stratosphere. It operates at a wavelength of 353 nm and has a sampling frequency of 1 Hz. ISAF can detect formaldehyde concentrations from 10 pptv to hundreds of ppbv with an accuracy of 10%.
NOx/NOxy is an in situ chemiluminescence instrument that measures nitrogen oxides and ozone in the atmosphere. It offers a spatial resolution better than 100 meters at typical DC-8 research flight speeds. NOx/NOxy can be used on ground-based, airborne, and shipborne platforms, enabling it to support various atmospheric chemistry and air quality studies.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Nitrogen Oxides
The Meteorological Measurement System (MMS) is an in situ airborne instrument used to measure atmospheric state parameters. MMS provides high-resolution, accurate measurements of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and wind direction and speed immediately around the plane. Additional parameters that can be derived include potential temperature, true airspeed, turbulence dissipation rate, and Reynolds number. Measurements of all parameters are typically collected at a rate of 20 Hz.
The Scanning High-resolution Interferometer Sounder (S-HIS) is an airborne cross-track scanning interferometer developed by the Space Science and Engineering Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It measures emitted thermal radiation between 3.3 and 18 microns with high spectral resolution. These measurements help derive atmospheric profiles of temperature and water vapor in clear-sky conditions. S-HIS has a spatial resolution of 2 km and a swath width of 40 km at an altitude of 20 km at nadir. It operates at a sampling frequency of 0.5 seconds and has an absolute radiance accuracy of 0.2 K.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
This data will be added in future versions
Earth Science > >
Nephelometers are in situ optical sensors that can be airborne or ground-based. They measure the total scattering and backscattering of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. Nephelometers operate at three wavelengths: 450 nm, 550 nm, and 700 nm, with a typical time resolution of 1 Hz.
The Cloud, Aerosol, and Refractive Index Experiment (CARE) is an airborne in situ instrument suite operated by the University of Vienna. It consists of three instruments: an Optical Particle AnaLyzer (OPAL), a Cloud, Aerosol, and Precipitation Spectrometer (CAPS), and a Precipitation Imaging Probe (PIP). CARE provides measurements of particle size distributions for aerosol and cloud particles in the 0.5 μm to 6.2 mm size range at a sampling frequency of 1 Hz. It also provides information about particle shape and cloud phase and allows for refractive index retrievals of single particles in the 0.5 to 2 μm size range.
The Los Gatos Research (LGR) Greenhouse Gas Analyzer (GGA) is a portable analyzer suitable for in situ measurements, either airborne or ground-based. It utilizes off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) technology to simultaneously measure methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water vapor (H2O). It can detect CH4 levels up to 100 ppm, CO2 up to 20,000 ppm, and H2O up to 30,000 ppm. The device offers a selectable measurement rate ranging from 0.01 to 1 Hz, with some models featuring a fast flow option capable of rates up to 10 Hz.
The Airborne Cavity Enhanced Spectrometer (ACES) is a two-channel spectrometer designed for aircraft measurements of glyoxal (CHOCHO), methylglyoxal (CH3COCHO), nitrous acid (HONO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and water vapor (H2O). ACES provides high-sensitivity measurements of trace gases and aerosols by passing light through an optical cavity equipped with a grating spectrometer and a charge-coupled device. It operates across two wavelength ranges (361-389 nm and 438-468 nm) and offers high precision and rapid measurement frequency.
The Aerosol Microphysical Properties (AMP) is an in situ airborne instrument suite operated by NOAA. It includes instruments such as the Nucleation-Mode Aerosol Size Spectrometer (NMASS), Ultra-High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer (UHSAS), Laser Aerosol Spectrometer (LAS), and Coarse-Mode Aerosol Size Spectrometer (CMASS). AMP provides measurements of aerosol particle size distribution, as well as particle number, size, and volume concentration. It can measure aerosols within a size range of 3 to 40,000 nm and offers measurements at 1 Hz resolution.
The Aerosol Optical Properties (AOP) is an in situ airborne suite consisting of a Cavity Ringdown Spectrometer (CRDS), a Photoacoustic Absorption Spectrometer (PAS), and an Ultra-High Sensitivity Aerosol Size Spectrometer (UHSAS). It provides multi-wavelength measurements of aerosol extinction, absorption, and other properties. CRDS measures aerosol extinction at 405, 532, and 662 nm wavelengths and has an accuracy of less than 2%. PAS measures absorption at 405, 532, and 660 nm wavelengths and has a sampling rate of 1 Hz. UHSAS measures the size distribution of aerosol particles within the size range of 0.008 to 1 μm. The measurements from the combined AOP instrument package allow for the calculation of radiative forcing and atmospheric heating rates.
The CalTech Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer (CIT-CIMS) is an in situ airborne single-mass spectrometer. CIT-CIMS uses CF3O-ion chemistry and compact time-of-flight and triple quadrupole spectrometers to measure specific atmospheric trace gases such as nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and sulfur dioxide. It was designed with rapid scan capabilities, enabling it to operate at a high temporal resolution (10 Hz) and detect a wide range of masses. CIT-CIMS is typically used for airborne observations but can also be employed for ground-based measurements.
The Langley Aerosol Research Group Experiment (LARGE) is an in situ airborne instrument suite that measures aerosol and cloud microphysical and optical properties, such as size distribution, number concentration, and scattering and absorption coefficients. LARGE includes several instruments, such as the Ultra-High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer (UHSAS), Particle-Into-Liquid Sampler (PILS), Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP), Cloud and Aerosol Spectrometer (CAS), Cloud Imaging Probe (CIP), and additional cloud and aerosol sensors. The LARGE instruments operate over the 450-700 nm wavelength range, detect particles ranging from 0.003 to 20 μm, and measure at a frequency of 1 Hz. It is primarily used for airborne measurements but can also be deployed on ground-based platforms like vehicles.
The Picarro gas concentration analyzer is an in situ airborne or ground-based sensor manufactured by Picarro, Inc. It uses Wavelength-Scanned Cavity Ring Spectroscopy (WS-CRDS) to measure trace gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and water vapor. For carbon dioxide measurements, the laser within Picarro operates at 1603 nm wavelength, while 1651 nm wavelength is used for methane and water vapor measurements. Picarro has a typical sampling time of 2.5 seconds. Depending on the model, Picarro can also provide measurements of carbon isotopes for gas concentrations.
The Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometer (MAX-DOAS) is a ground-based passive spectrometer. It measures the scattered solar light at different elevations to determine trace gases in the troposphere. MAX-DOAS is designed to have low residual error in the ultraviolet and visible spectrums, allowing detection in both pristine and polluted environments. Typical MAX-DOAS instruments operate in the 300-700 nm spectral range with a spectral resolution of 0.4-1.5 nm depending on the target species.
Generic-Chemistry Related Sensors (Gen-Chemistry) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for atmospheric chemistry measurements. These are typically in situ analyzers that measure various chemical compounds such as trace gases, halocarbons, volatile organic compounds, nitrates, aerosols, and other chemical species. Measurements can include mixing ratio, composition, particle size, optical properties, and particle size distribution.
Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
The Aircraft-Integrated Meteorological Measurement System (AIMMS) is an in situ airborne sensor developed by Aventech Research, Inc. It measures the aircraft's position, altitude, temperature, relative humidity, static pressure, and three-dimensional wind vector. The system includes an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Global Positioning System (GPS), Air Data Probe (ADP), and a central processing module (CPM) for processing the GPS data. AIMMS provides data at a rate of up to 20 Hz and can operate in temperatures ranging from -20 to 50 degrees Celsius.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
The Micro-pulse Doppler (MicroDop) Lidar is a scanning Doppler lidar system operated by the NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory. It measures lidar backscatter at around 1.5 μm to provide profiles of horizontal winds and aerosol backscatter intensity (ABI) profiles. MicroDop has a vertical resolution of 33.6 m, a maximum range of 7 km, and a typical temporal resolution of 2 Hz. It can be deployed on aircraft, research vessels, and ground-based platforms.
The Picarro gas concentration analyzer is an in situ airborne or ground-based sensor manufactured by Picarro, Inc. It uses Wavelength-Scanned Cavity Ring Spectroscopy (WS-CRDS) to measure trace gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and water vapor. For carbon dioxide measurements, the laser within Picarro operates at 1603 nm wavelength, while 1651 nm wavelength is used for methane and water vapor measurements. Picarro has a typical sampling time of 2.5 seconds. Depending on the model, Picarro can also provide measurements of carbon isotopes for gas concentrations.
The GC-MS instrument is a combination of two instruments: a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer. It is used on airborne platforms to study atmospheric chemistry, specifically non-methane halocarbons and volatile organic compounds.
The Microorifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI) is an in situ airborne or ground-based sampler developed by the MSP Corporation. It is an eight-stage impactor used for high-accuracy aerosol sampling for gravimetric or chemical analysis. MOUDI has a sample flow rate of 30 liters per minute and can sample particles in the size range of 0.056-18 µm. It is used for applications such as air pollution research, engine emission testing, and aerosol analysis.
Generic-Chemistry Related Sensors (Gen-Chemistry) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for atmospheric chemistry measurements. These are typically in situ analyzers that measure various chemical compounds such as trace gases, halocarbons, volatile organic compounds, nitrates, aerosols, and other chemical species. Measurements can include mixing ratio, composition, particle size, optical properties, and particle size distribution.
The Proton Transfer Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS) is an in situ spectrometer used both on aircraft and ground, developed by the University of Innsbruck in Austria. It detects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) without the need for sample preparation at very low concentrations. PTR-MS employs chemical ionization mass spectrometry, enabling quick and highly sensitive VOC detection. It has a signal integration time ranging from 0.5 to 1 second.
The Tunable Optical Profiler for Aerosol and oZone (TOPAZ) is a lidar system designed by the NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory. It was originally designed for airborne operations, but it has been reconfigured for deployment in a trailer for ground-based operations. It uses differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique to measure ozone concentrations and aerosol backscatter profiles up to 6 to 8 km above ground level (AGL). It operates in the 285 to 310 nm wavelength range and has an ozone profile vertical resolution of 5 m near the surface and 1000 m at 8 km AGL. TOPAZ is part of the NASA Tropospheric Ozone Lidar Network (TOLNet).
Generic-Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (Gen-CIMS) refers to a non-specific CIMS instrument on a platform. A CIMS is an in situ mass spectrometer that measures gas species by ionizing the molecules through chemical reactions. They provide measurements of trace gases, organic compounds, inorganic compounds, halogen species, and reactive nitrogen species.
