Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem Postlaunch Airborne eXperiment

The Passive-Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer Probe (PCASP) is an in situ airborne optical spectrometer manufactured by Droplet Measurement Technologies. It detects light scattered by particles to determine aerosol size distribution and concentration within the 0.1 to 3.0 μm range. PCASP operates at a wavelength of 632 nm and typically samples at 10 Hz.

Generic-Atmospheric State (Gen-AtmsState) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for measurements of atmospheric state parameters. These are typically in situ sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed/direction. Types of atmospheric state instruments include thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers.

The King Probe is an in situ airborne cloud instrument 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 measures cloud liquid water content (LWC) by detecting the heat released when water droplets vaporize. It operates at a constant temperature of approximately 100°C and has a data output rate of 1 to 10 Hz. The probe is commonly used in studies of cloud microphysics and aircraft icing.

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 Cloud Imaging Probe (CIP) is an in situ airborne optical array probe manufactured by Droplet Measurement Technologies. It captures cloud particle images by recording shadows as particles pass through a laser. Additionally, it provides data on particle size distribution and cloud liquid water content. CIP typically has a resolution of 25 μm and can measure particles ranging from 12.5 μm to 1.55 mm.

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 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 Cloud and Aerosol Spectrometer (CAS) is an in situ airborne spectrometer manufactured by Droplet Measurement Technologies. It measures light scattering at 658 nm to determine aerosol and cloud particle size distributions from 0.51 to 50 μm. It also provides measurements of the refractive index and particle shape. CAS has a typical time resolution of 1 Hz and can measure concentrations greater than 1,000 particles per cubic meter.

The Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) is an in situ spectrometer manufactured by TSI Instruments. APS measures aerodynamic particles in the 0.5-20 μm size range. It also measures the light-scattering intensity of the particles in the 0.37-20 μm optical size range. APS provides particle size distributions for 52 channels at a typical sampling time of 1 second. It uses a laser diode operating at 655 nm and has a size resolution of 0.02 μm at 1 μm. APS can be deployed on aircraft, ships, or ground-based platforms.

The Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP) is an in situ airborne photometer manufactured by Radiance Research. It applies Beer's Law to measure the change in light transmission of aerosol particles. These measurements help determine aerosol absorption and extinction. PSAP operates across three wavelengths (467, 530, and 660 nm) and has a 1-second time resolution. It is usually deployed on aircraft, but it can also be used on ships and vehicles.

Condensation Particle Counters (CPCs) are in situ sensors that measure aerosol particle concentrations. CPCs determine aerosol levels by condensing fluid onto particles, causing them to grow to sizes detectable by optical scattering. Typically, CPCs can detect particles ranging from 7 nm to 3 μm, measure concentrations up to 100,000 particles per cubic centimeter, and provide readings every second. CPCs are manufactured by TSI Incorporated and can be used on airborne, shipborne, and ground-based platforms.

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 Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) is an in situ spectrometer manufactured by TSI Instruments. APS measures aerodynamic particles in the 0.5-20 μm size range. It also measures the light-scattering intensity of the particles in the 0.37-20 μm optical size range. APS provides particle size distributions for 52 channels at a typical sampling time of 1 second. It uses a laser diode operating at 655 nm and has a size resolution of 0.02 μm at 1 μm. APS can be deployed on aircraft, ships, or ground-based platforms.

The AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) is a federated network of ground-based remote sensing aerosol sensors established by NASA and the PHOtométrie pour le Traitement Opérationnel de Normalisation Satellitaire (PHOTONS) in 1993. Each AERONET site includes a CIMEL Electronique sunphotometer that measures sun irradiance and sky radiances. These measurements are used to determine aerosol properties such as aerosol optical depth and extinction. The sunphotometers operate at nine wavelengths (340, 380, 440, 500, 675, 870, 937, 1020, and 1640 nm) and provide aerosol data approximately every 15 minutes. AERONET sites are distributed worldwide, enabling mapping of about 90% of the Earth’s surface.

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 High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) is an in situ ground-based analyzer used to separate and identify components in a sample of air or a mixture. It works by injecting a liquid into the sample, causing different flow rates for each component as they pass through the column. As each component exits the column, their concentrations are measured at a high resolution. In Earth science research, HPLC is commonly used to detect various trace species in the atmosphere, such as formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although primarily used for laboratory analysis and ground-based measurements, it can also be employed for airborne measurements.

Sunphotometers are passive optical sensors that measure the amount of sunlight. They are pointed directly at the sun to measure direct sunlight and not sunlight scatter from aerosols. These measurements can be used to determine the aerosol optical depth by following Beer’s Law. Sunphotometers have been deployed on aircraft, research vessels, and field sites for aerosol research and monitoring.

Digital cameras are used to provide imagery for research applications. Cameras are used on aircraft to collect aerial imagery for mapping and surveying, environmental monitoring, cloud observations, agriculture, geological studies, and other Earth science applications. They are also used at field sites to capture visual observations to monitor changes in land cover, vegetation, clouds, air quality, glaciers, and other phenomena.

The AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) is a federated network of ground-based remote sensing aerosol sensors established by NASA and the PHOtométrie pour le Traitement Opérationnel de Normalisation Satellitaire (PHOTONS) in 1993. Each AERONET site includes a CIMEL Electronique sunphotometer that measures sun irradiance and sky radiances. These measurements are used to determine aerosol properties such as aerosol optical depth and extinction. The sunphotometers operate at nine wavelengths (340, 380, 440, 500, 675, 870, 937, 1020, and 1640 nm) and provide aerosol data approximately every 15 minutes. AERONET sites are distributed worldwide, enabling mapping of about 90% of the Earth’s surface.

This data will be added in future versions

The Hyperspectral Surface Acquisition System Polarimeter (HyperSAS-POL) is a hyperspectral radiometer developed by the Optical Remote Sensing Laboratory at City College of New York (CCNY). It is typically deployed on research vessels and water-based platforms. It collects sky and sea radiance measurements across 180 wavelengths in the 305 to 905 nm range at a single azimuthal angle. HyperSAS-POL records data every 30 minutes to produce high-resolution time series.

The High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) is an in situ ground-based analyzer used to separate and identify components in a sample of air or a mixture. It works by injecting a liquid into the sample, causing different flow rates for each component as they pass through the column. As each component exits the column, their concentrations are measured at a high resolution. In Earth science research, HPLC is commonly used to detect various trace species in the atmosphere, such as formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although primarily used for laboratory analysis and ground-based measurements, it can also be employed for airborne measurements.

Generic-Atmospheric State (Gen-AtmsState) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for measurements of atmospheric state parameters. These are typically in situ sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed/direction. Types of atmospheric state instruments include thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers.

This information will be added in future versions.