The Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) focused principally on radiation, biogeochemical, and chemistry interactions between the boreal forest and troposphere through winter, summer, and transitional seasons. This large field effort included multiple seasonal IOPs spread over two deployments in 1994 and 1996 over forested portions of Canada’s Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces. Airborne and ground-based observations included various types of fluxes, snow characteristics, and radiative transfer properties to improve understanding and numerical representations of key climate-driving processes. BOREAS supported NASA’s Mission to Planet Earth.
The Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) was an airborne P-, L-, and C-band radar system developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It was able to penetrate through clouds and operate at night to provide measurements of radar backscatter. It also could penetrate forest canopy, dry snow cover, and sand in two of its imaging modes. AIRSAR operated across three frequencies: 0.45 GHz, 1.26 GHz, and 5.31 GHz. It had a horizontal resolution of 10 m and a swath width of around 10-15 km at a flight altitude of 8,000 m. AIRSAR is now retired and flew its last mission in 2004.
The Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (CASI) is a relatively small, lightweight hyper-spectral sensor that has been used on a variety of light aircraft. CASI was developed by Itres Research Ltd (Alberta, Canada) in 1988 and was designed for a variety of remote sensing applications in forestry, agriculture, land-use planning, and aquatic monitoring. By allowing user-defined configurations, the 12-bit, push-broom-type sensor (333 scan lines per second) using a charge-coupled detector (CCD) can be adapted to maximize either spatial (37.8° across track field of view, 0.077° along-track, 512 pixels – pixel size varies with altitude) or spectral resolution (288 bands at 1.9 nm intervals between 400 and 1000 nm).
The Canada Center for Remote Sensing Synthetic Aperture Radar systems consists of C- and X-band radars. Both radars have dual-channel receivers and dual-polarized antennas and have been used for research into applications of radar imagery.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
This data will be added in future versions.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
This data will be added in future versions
Earth Science > >
The Lyman-alpha Hygrometer measures the absorption by water vapor of vacuum-ultraviolet light at the Lyman-alpha wavelength of atomic hydrogen (121.6 nm). Air from outside the aircraft is brought to the absorption cell by a forward facing open-ended cone inlet (SCAI inlet) and exhausted through a scarf tube. The instrument ionizes the water molecules themselves as they pass through. Using a high intensity direct current discharge lamp, light at 121.6nm (called Lyman-alpha light) photodissociates water molecules producing excited OH radicals. Fluorescence is produced as the OH radical emits photons at 309nm. Making use of a phototube sensitive to this wavelength and a counter, the amount of OH can be calculated. The ambient air in the sample diminishes this signal by an amount proportional to the mixing ratio, so knowing the ambient pressure and temperature yields the mixing ratio from which the total water is determined. The instrument is periodically calibrated in flight by injecting a known amount of water vapor directly into the sample.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles > Water Vapor Mixing Ratio Profiles
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Vapor Pressure
The NCAR Reverse Flow Temperature probe is designed to make accurate temperature measurements from aircraft during level flight and vertical soundings at airspeeds from 115 to 180 kt. The sensing element of the probe is enclosed by a wind-blocking shield where it is exposed to a stream of air from the rear. This prevents wetting of the sensing element during flights through clouds to get a more accurate temperature measurement.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
The Passive-Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer Probe (PCASP) is an in situ airborne optical spectrometer manufactured by Droplet Measurement Technologies. It measures the light scattered by particles to determine the aerosol size distribution and concentration in the 0.1 to 3.0 μm size range. PCASP operates at the 632 nm wavelength and has a typical sampling rate of 10 Hz.
Aethalometer is an in situ aerosol instrument manufactured by Magee Scientific that can be deployed on either airborne or ground-based platforms. It samples aerosols through a filter tape and measures the attenuation of transmitted light to determine the concentration of black carbon particles. The Aethalometer operates across seven optical wavelengths (370, 470, 520, 590, 660, 880, and 950 nm) and can provide data at a rate of 1 Hz. It has a measurement range of 0-500 μg per cubic meter and a resolution of 0.1 μg per cubic meter.
The Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) is an airborne lidar system designed at NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC). It uses four lasers to detect lidar backscatter to provide profile measurements of ozone and aerosols in the atmosphere. DIAL operates in the ultraviolet (289-300 nm) for ozone measurements and operates in the visible (572-600 nm) and infrared (1064 nm) for aerosols. It has a horizontal spatial resolution of approximately 15 km and has a measurement accuracy of 5 ppbv.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Lidar > Lidar Depolarization Ratio
The Condensation Nuclei Counter (CNC) is optical method for
counting atmospheric aerosol particles.
Earth Science > >
The Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe (FSSP) is an in situ airborne optical particle counter originally designed by Particle Measuring Systems, Inc. It provides particle size distribution by measuring the intensity of the light scattered by individual particles within the cloud. FSSP can detect particles within a diameter range of 0.5 to 47 μm. It operates at a wavelength of 633 nm and has a typical sampling frequency of 1 Hz.
The King Probe is an airborne cloud probe developed by Warren King (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) and manufactured by Particle Measuring Systems (PMS) and Droplet Measurement Technologies (DMT). The King Probe provides measurements of cloud liquid water content (LWC) by measuring the heat released when water droplets are vaporized. The King Probe operates at a constant temperature (~100 C) and has a data output rate of 1 to 10 Hz. It is typically used in cloud microphysics and aircraft icing studies.
NOx/NOxy is an in situ chemiluminescence instrument. It provides measurements of nitrogen oxides and ozone in the atmosphere at a spatial resolution better than 100m for typical DC-8 research flight speeds. NOx/NOxy can be utilized on ground-based, airborne, and shipborne platforms allowing it to be used in various types of atmospheric chemistry and air quality studies.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Nitrogen Oxides
Nephelometers are in situ airborne or ground-based optical sensors. They measure the total scattering and backscattering of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. Nephelometers operate across three wavelengths: 450 nm, 550 nm, and 700 nm, and have a typical time resolution of 1 Hz.
The Spectron Engineering SE-590 is a portable battery or A/C operated spectroradiometer consisting of a CE500 data analyzer/logger controller, CE390 spectral detector head and an external battery charger/power supply. The CE500 is a self contained microprocessor based controller which processes the signal from the detector head, amplifying and digitizing it with 12 bit resolution. For each spectral scan, the controller actuates the CE390 shutter, measures and stores the dark current, calculates optimum integration time, acquires the spectrum and automatically subtracts the noise for all 256 spectral elements. A series of scans can be taken and automatically averaged. The spectrum is stored in a double precision register which saves the entire 12-bit binary spectra until it is transmitted through the RS-232C port. The spectral detector head uses a diffraction grating as the dispersing element; the spectrum is imaged onto a 256 element photodiode array. Each element integrates simultaneously acquiring the spectrum in a fraction of a second. The interconnect cable from the spectral head to the controller couples the spectral signals to the controller, and the timing and control signals to the detector head. A shutter in the detector head, operated by the controller, closes the light path for dark current measurements.
Earth Science > Cryosphere > Snow/ice > Reflectance > Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function
The Modular Multiband Radiometer (MMR) is an airborne multispectral radiometer manufactured by Barnes Engineering Company. MMR measures radiance across 8 spectral bands in the infrared and visible wavelengths (0.4-12.5 μm) to provide imagery of vegetation and other surface features. At an altitude of 300 m, the MMR has an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of approximately 79 m and a 15-degree field of view (FOV). It is typically deployed on small aircraft such as helicopters but can be deployed on ground-based platforms as well.
The POLarization and Directionality of the Earth’s Reflectances (POLDER) is a spaceborne passive radiometer that was onboard the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Advanced Earth Observing Satellite. POLDER has also been utilized in several airborne investigations to perform instrument calibration and to provide measurements of surface reflectance and solar radiation. POLDER has a ground spatial resolution of 7 km x 6 km at nadir and operates across eight discrete spectral bands (443 nm - 910 nm).
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Radiation
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Optics > Ocean Color
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation > Vegetation Index
Earth Science > Cryosphere > Snow/ice > Reflectance > Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation
The Airborne Tracking Sun Photometer (ATSP) is an airborne instrument that measures direct solar beam transmission. The ATSP measures solar beam transmission through multiple channels with wavelengths ranging between 354 and 2139 nm. These measurements can be used to derive aerosol optical depth and other aerosol properties. There are multiple versions of this instrument, including one developed by the NASA Ames Research Center.
The C-band scatterometer is a FM-CW scatterometer that operates at 5.3 GHz. The C-band scatterometer is typically used in land, sea, and ice studies. For land applications, it is used to measure surface moisture content.
If instrument model information is not available, can use this instrument entry for temperature, pressues, wind speed, wind direction, humidity
Earth Science > >
The King Probe is an airborne cloud probe developed by Warren King (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) and manufactured by Particle Measuring Systems (PMS) and Droplet Measurement Technologies (DMT). The King Probe provides measurements of cloud liquid water content (LWC) by measuring the heat released when water droplets are vaporized. The King Probe operates at a constant temperature (~100 C) and has a data output rate of 1 to 10 Hz. It is typically used in cloud microphysics and aircraft icing studies.
The Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe (FSSP) is an in situ airborne optical particle counter originally designed by Particle Measuring Systems, Inc. It provides particle size distribution by measuring the intensity of the light scattered by individual particles within the cloud. FSSP can detect particles within a diameter range of 0.5 to 47 μm. It operates at a wavelength of 633 nm and has a typical sampling frequency of 1 Hz.
The Advanced Solid-state Array Spectroradiometer (ASAS) is an airborne, passive multi-angle spectrometer operated by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). ASAS measures reflectance across 30 spectral channels in the 450 to 880 nm wavelength range to help characterize the directional variability of various land surface cover types. At typical flight altitudes of 4,500 to 5,000 m, ASAS has a spatial resolution of 3 to 4 m at nadir. It has a frame rate ranging from 3 to 64 frames per second.
Earth Science > Land Surface > Land Use/land Cover
The MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS) is an airborne multispectral spectrometer designed to simulate the satellite instrument Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS). MAS operates across 50 spectral channels in the 0.55 to 14.2 μm range to provide high-resolution imagery of clouds and surface features. MAS has a horizontal spatial resolution of 50 m and a swath width of about 36 km at an altitude of 20 km at nadir. It has a scan rate of 6.25 Hz with each scan line containing 716 pixels.
The POLarization and Directionality of the Earth’s Reflectances (POLDER) is a spaceborne passive radiometer that was onboard the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Advanced Earth Observing Satellite. POLDER has also been utilized in several airborne investigations to perform instrument calibration and to provide measurements of surface reflectance and solar radiation. POLDER has a ground spatial resolution of 7 km x 6 km at nadir and operates across eight discrete spectral bands (443 nm - 910 nm).
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Radiation
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Optics > Ocean Color
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation > Vegetation Index
Earth Science > Cryosphere > Snow/ice > Reflectance > Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation
The Airborne Tracking Sun Photometer (ATSP) is an airborne instrument that measures direct solar beam transmission. The ATSP measures solar beam transmission through multiple channels with wavelengths ranging between 354 and 2139 nm. These measurements can be used to derive aerosol optical depth and other aerosol properties. There are multiple versions of this instrument, including one developed by the NASA Ames Research Center.
This is a Daedalus AADS-1268 scanner that flies on the ER-2 aircraft and simulates the LANDSAT Thematic Mapper instrument, with slightly higher spatial resolution. The TMS is used for collecting data similar in application to data collected by the Thematic Mapper (TM) sensor including Earth resources mapping, vegetation/landcover mapping, and geologic studies.
The Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) is an experimental aircraft scanner providing six-channel spectral capability in the thermal infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The instrument was designed and built by Daedalus Enterprises, Inc. of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is operated from a Lear Jet by NASA's National Space Technology Laboratories' (NSTL) Earth Resources Laboratory (ERL).
If instrument model or detailed specification information is not available, can use this instrument entry for radiometers of various types (typically microwave-band) that are flown on aircraft.
Earth Science > >
This data will be added in future versions
Earth Science > >
If instrument model information is not available, can use this instrument entry for temperature, pressues, wind speed, wind direction, humidity
If instrument model or detailed specification information is not available, can use this instrument entry for radiometers of various types (typically microwave-band) that are flown on aircraft.
Earth Science > >
This data will be added in future versions
Earth Science > >
This data will be added in future versions.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
If instrument model information is not available, can use this instrument entry for temperature, pressues, wind speed, wind direction, humidity
The Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer - Classic (AVIRIS-C) is a passive imaging spectrometer developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for Earth remote sensing. AVIRIC-C was designed to operate aboard NASA’s Earth Resources 2 (ER-2) aircraft. It has a spatial resolution of 20 meters and takes 12 scans per second. AVIRIS-C operated in the spectral region of 0.41 µm to 2.45 µm, making it particularly useful for a wide variety of Earth Science applications. It has been replaced by the Next Generation Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS-NG), though AVIRIS-C remains in operation.
The MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS) is an airborne multispectral spectrometer designed to simulate the satellite instrument Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS). MAS operates across 50 spectral channels in the 0.55 to 14.2 μm range to provide high-resolution imagery of clouds and surface features. MAS has a horizontal spatial resolution of 50 m and a swath width of about 36 km at an altitude of 20 km at nadir. It has a scan rate of 6.25 Hz with each scan line containing 716 pixels.
This is a Daedalus AADS-1268 scanner that flies on the ER-2 aircraft and simulates the LANDSAT Thematic Mapper instrument, with slightly higher spatial resolution. The TMS is used for collecting data similar in application to data collected by the Thematic Mapper (TM) sensor including Earth resources mapping, vegetation/landcover mapping, and geologic studies.
Earth Science > Land Surface > Soils > Soil Temperature
Stream gauges are ground-based sensors that provide in situ measurements of the stage or height of rivers and streams. The stream flow or discharge of the river can be derived from the stage measurements. Stream gauges can provide continuous measurements and are useful for monitoring flooding potential and water supply. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains and operates a network of over 10,000 stream gauges across the United States to aid with flood forecasting and water management.
If instrument model information is not available, can use this instrument entry for temperature, pressues, wind speed, wind direction, humidity
Earth Science > >
If instrument name or model is not available but documents show that specific chemical compounds or constituents or their properties were observed, can use instrument entry. Examples include: CO, CO2, NO, NO2, N2O, HNO3, HNO4, OH, H2SO4, CH3CN, O3, H2O, halocarbons, VOCs, nitrates, aerosols (including CCN), aerosol optical properties, etc...
Earth Science > >
If instrument model or detailed specification information is not available, can use this instrument entry for radiometers of various types (typically microwave-band) that are flown on aircraft.
The Spectron Engineering SE-590 is a portable battery or A/C operated spectroradiometer consisting of a CE500 data analyzer/logger controller, CE390 spectral detector head and an external battery charger/power supply. The CE500 is a self contained microprocessor based controller which processes the signal from the detector head, amplifying and digitizing it with 12 bit resolution. For each spectral scan, the controller actuates the CE390 shutter, measures and stores the dark current, calculates optimum integration time, acquires the spectrum and automatically subtracts the noise for all 256 spectral elements. A series of scans can be taken and automatically averaged. The spectrum is stored in a double precision register which saves the entire 12-bit binary spectra until it is transmitted through the RS-232C port. The spectral detector head uses a diffraction grating as the dispersing element; the spectrum is imaged onto a 256 element photodiode array. Each element integrates simultaneously acquiring the spectrum in a fraction of a second. The interconnect cable from the spectral head to the controller couples the spectral signals to the controller, and the timing and control signals to the detector head. A shutter in the detector head, operated by the controller, closes the light path for dark current measurements.
Earth Science > Cryosphere > Snow/ice > Reflectance > Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function
A TUNABLE DIODE LASER is a solid-state laser in which as lasing is achieved by passing an injection current through the active region of a semiconductor across the p-n junction; tunable meaning it is used with a technique based upon the measurement of light absorption upon irrigating a sample using a tunable laser source.
Rain gauges are ground-based instruments that provide in situ measurements of liquid precipitation amounts over a set time. There are multiple types of rain gauges that each collect and record data differently such as the tipping bucket rain gauge and weighing precipitation gauge. Rain gauges can be deployed in various locations due to their relatively small size and easy set-up and are typically colocated with other precipitation instruments such as disdrometers to provide more details about precipitation being collected such as precipitation rate and size distribution.
The High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) is an in situ ground-based analyzer that is used to separate and identify components within a sample of air or mixture. It achieves this by injecting a liquid within the sample causing different flow rates for each component as they flow out of the column. As each component exits the column, their concentrations are measured at a high resolution. In Earth science research, HPLC is typically used to determine various trace species in the atmosphere such as formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). HPLC is commonly used for laboratory analysis and ground-based measurements, but it can be used for airborne measurements as well.
The Licor Quantum Sensor is a ground-based, in situ radiation sensor manufactured by LI-COR Biosciences. It provides accurate measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) under vegetation or in artificial light sources. The sensor measures radiation within the same light spectrum (400 - 700 nm) as the one used by plants for photosynthesis. The Licor Quantum Sensor is typically used for ground-based measurements, but it can be equipped on aircraft as well. It can be utilized for long-term deployments and is durable in high temperature and humidity conditions.
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation > Photosynthetically Active Radiation
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation
NOx/NOxy is an in situ chemiluminescence instrument. It provides measurements of nitrogen oxides and ozone in the atmosphere at a spatial resolution better than 100m for typical DC-8 research flight speeds. NOx/NOxy can be utilized on ground-based, airborne, and shipborne platforms allowing it to be used in various types of atmospheric chemistry and air quality studies.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Nitrogen Oxides
Ceilometers are ground-based, remote-sensing sensors that provide measurements of cloud ceilings and vertical visibility. They use either a laser beam or another light source to detect backscatter of clouds, precipitation, and aerosols. Ceilometers can provide detailed and accurate measurements in all types of weather conditions and have low operating costs. Ceilometers are typically used in boundary layer and cloud research applications.
The Radio Acoustic Sounding System (RASS) is an active ground-based acoustic sounder that provides profiles of virtual temperature. It uses radar techniques to measure acoustic disturbances to derive the virtual temperature. They are typically used in conjunction with radar wind profilers (RWPs) and operate at frequencies of 915 MHz and 1290 MHz. RASS has a sampling rate of around 5 to 15 minutes, a 150 m vertical resolution, and a 60 m horizontal resolution.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Boundary Layer Temperature
If instrument name or model is not available but documents show that specific chemical compounds or constituents or their properties were observed, can use instrument entry. Examples include: CO, CO2, NO, NO2, N2O, HNO3, HNO4, OH, H2SO4, CH3CN, O3, H2O, halocarbons, VOCs, nitrates, aerosols (including CCN), aerosol optical properties, etc...
The Advanced Solid-state Array Spectroradiometer (ASAS) is an airborne, passive multi-angle spectrometer operated by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). ASAS measures reflectance across 30 spectral channels in the 450 to 880 nm wavelength range to help characterize the directional variability of various land surface cover types. At typical flight altitudes of 4,500 to 5,000 m, ASAS has a spatial resolution of 3 to 4 m at nadir. It has a frame rate ranging from 3 to 64 frames per second.
Earth Science > Land Surface > Land Use/land Cover
The Scanning Lidar Imager of Canopies by Echo Recovery (SLICER) is an airborne and ground-based lidar system. SLICER provides measurements of different canopy characteristics such as canopy height, vertical structure, and ground elevation. It has a horizontal resolution of 10 m and a vertical resolution of 1 m and operates at 1.06 microns. SLICER can provide high-resolution measurements beneath dense canopies and vegetated areas.
The MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS) is an airborne multispectral spectrometer designed to simulate the satellite instrument Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS). MAS operates across 50 spectral channels in the 0.55 to 14.2 μm range to provide high-resolution imagery of clouds and surface features. MAS has a horizontal spatial resolution of 50 m and a swath width of about 36 km at an altitude of 20 km at nadir. It has a scan rate of 6.25 Hz with each scan line containing 716 pixels.
The POLarization and Directionality of the Earth’s Reflectances (POLDER) is a spaceborne passive radiometer that was onboard the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Advanced Earth Observing Satellite. POLDER has also been utilized in several airborne investigations to perform instrument calibration and to provide measurements of surface reflectance and solar radiation. POLDER has a ground spatial resolution of 7 km x 6 km at nadir and operates across eight discrete spectral bands (443 nm - 910 nm).
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Radiation
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Optics > Ocean Color
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation > Vegetation Index
Earth Science > Cryosphere > Snow/ice > Reflectance > Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation
The Airborne Tracking Sun Photometer (ATSP) is an airborne instrument that measures direct solar beam transmission. The ATSP measures solar beam transmission through multiple channels with wavelengths ranging between 354 and 2139 nm. These measurements can be used to derive aerosol optical depth and other aerosol properties. There are multiple versions of this instrument, including one developed by the NASA Ames Research Center.
This is a Daedalus AADS-1268 scanner that flies on the ER-2 aircraft and simulates the LANDSAT Thematic Mapper instrument, with slightly higher spatial resolution. The TMS is used for collecting data similar in application to data collected by the Thematic Mapper (TM) sensor including Earth resources mapping, vegetation/landcover mapping, and geologic studies.
The Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer - Classic (AVIRIS-C) is a passive imaging spectrometer developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for Earth remote sensing. AVIRIC-C was designed to operate aboard NASA’s Earth Resources 2 (ER-2) aircraft. It has a spatial resolution of 20 meters and takes 12 scans per second. AVIRIS-C operated in the spectral region of 0.41 µm to 2.45 µm, making it particularly useful for a wide variety of Earth Science applications. It has been replaced by the Next Generation Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS-NG), though AVIRIS-C remains in operation.
The MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS) is an airborne multispectral spectrometer designed to simulate the satellite instrument Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS). MAS operates across 50 spectral channels in the 0.55 to 14.2 μm range to provide high-resolution imagery of clouds and surface features. MAS has a horizontal spatial resolution of 50 m and a swath width of about 36 km at an altitude of 20 km at nadir. It has a scan rate of 6.25 Hz with each scan line containing 716 pixels.
Earth Science > Land Surface > Soils > Soil Temperature
Stream gauges are ground-based sensors that provide in situ measurements of the stage or height of rivers and streams. The stream flow or discharge of the river can be derived from the stage measurements. Stream gauges can provide continuous measurements and are useful for monitoring flooding potential and water supply. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains and operates a network of over 10,000 stream gauges across the United States to aid with flood forecasting and water management.
If instrument model information is not available, can use this instrument entry for temperature, pressues, wind speed, wind direction, humidity
Earth Science > >
If instrument name or model is not available but documents show that specific chemical compounds or constituents or their properties were observed, can use instrument entry. Examples include: CO, CO2, NO, NO2, N2O, HNO3, HNO4, OH, H2SO4, CH3CN, O3, H2O, halocarbons, VOCs, nitrates, aerosols (including CCN), aerosol optical properties, etc...
Earth Science > >
If instrument model or detailed specification information is not available, can use this instrument entry for radiometers of various types (typically microwave-band) that are flown on aircraft.
Rain gauges are ground-based instruments that provide in situ measurements of liquid precipitation amounts over a set time. There are multiple types of rain gauges that each collect and record data differently such as the tipping bucket rain gauge and weighing precipitation gauge. Rain gauges can be deployed in various locations due to their relatively small size and easy set-up and are typically colocated with other precipitation instruments such as disdrometers to provide more details about precipitation being collected such as precipitation rate and size distribution.
The Licor Quantum Sensor is a ground-based, in situ radiation sensor manufactured by LI-COR Biosciences. It provides accurate measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) under vegetation or in artificial light sources. The sensor measures radiation within the same light spectrum (400 - 700 nm) as the one used by plants for photosynthesis. The Licor Quantum Sensor is typically used for ground-based measurements, but it can be equipped on aircraft as well. It can be utilized for long-term deployments and is durable in high temperature and humidity conditions.
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation > Photosynthetically Active Radiation
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation
Ceilometers are ground-based, remote-sensing sensors that provide measurements of cloud ceilings and vertical visibility. They use either a laser beam or another light source to detect backscatter of clouds, precipitation, and aerosols. Ceilometers can provide detailed and accurate measurements in all types of weather conditions and have low operating costs. Ceilometers are typically used in boundary layer and cloud research applications.
