Studies of Emissions and Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys (SEAC4RS) was a NASA-led campaign that focused on studying atmospheric composition and gaining a better understanding of how pollutants are carried to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) via processes such as deep convection and biomass-burning feedback loops. SEAC4RS consisted of deployment from August to September of 2013 predominantly across the continental U.S. Two NASA aircraft, the ER-2 and DC-8, SPEC Inc.’s Learjet, balloon launches, and permanent field sites were all used to gather observations between the ground and upper portions of the atmosphere. SEAC4RS was funded by both NASA’s Earth Science Mission Directorate and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
2013-08-01 — 2013-09-23
North America including portions of Canada, Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico
The NASA Micro-Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) is a global ground-based network of Micro-Pulse Lidar (MPL) systems that has been active since 1999. MPLNET provides continuous measurements of aerosol and cloud vertical structure as well as boundary layer height from the surface up to 30 km. The MPL systems operate at a wavelength range of 523-532 nm and have a vertically-resolved spatial resolution of 30 to 75 m depending on the station. Many of the MPLNET sites are co-located with sites in the NASA Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) to help reduce errors in retrievals.
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 consists of a CIMEL Electronique sunphotometer that provides measurements of sun irradiance and sky radiances. These measurements can be used to retrieve aerosol properties such as aerosol optical depth and extinction. The sunphotometers operate across nine wavelengths (340, 380, 440, 500, 675, 870, 937, 1020, and 1640 nm) and provide aerosol measurements approximately every 15 min. AERONET sites are located across the world, making it possible to map around 90% of the Earth’s surface.
The Nevzorov liquid water content (LWC) and total water content (TWC) probe is a constant-temperature, hot-wire probe designed for aircraft measurements of the ice and liquid water content of clouds. The probe consists of two separate sensors for measurements of cloud liquid and total (ice plus liquid) water content. Each sensor consists of a collector and a reference winding. The reference sensors are shielded from impact with cloud particles, specifically to provide an automatic compensation for convective heat losses.
The Rosemount Icing Detector (RICE) is an in situ airborne probe manufactured by Rosemount Inc. It is a magnetostrictive oscillation probe that detects changes in the frequency of oscillation due to ice buildup on the sensing cylinder. These changes in frequency can be related to the rate of ice accretion, which can be used to derive liquid water content. RICE has a typical sampling rate of 1 second.
The High Volume Particle Sampler, also known as the High Volume Precipitation Spectrometer (HVPS), measures particle size distributions and obtains particle images in the size range of about 0.1 cm to 6 cm. It is an open-path instrument located on the outside of the aircraft, typically below the wing. A laser sheet throws a shadowgraph image of the hydrometeor (cloud droplets or ice crystals) in the sample volume on a photodiode array. As the hydrometeor moves through the sample volume, this optical array records the moving shape and a two-dimensional picture can be recorded. At an air speed of 100 m/s, the sample volume is 310 l/s. The recorded images can be analyzed for size distributions, number concentrations, and further cloud properties detailed below. Hydrometeors in the range of 0.3−19.2 mm can be fully recorded at a 150 μm resolution; larger particles can only be sized along the direction of flight. In order to keep the pixel resolution along the flight path constant, the system clock frequency is adjusted according to the detected True Air Speed (TAS) by the data system itself. The maximum clock frequency for the HVPS is 240 kHz. The HVPS data recorded during this project has 400 m m resolution along the flight path.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
The 2D-Stereo Particle Probe (2D-S) is an in situ airborne optical imaging probe developed by SPEC Inc. The 2D-S uses two diode laser beams to produce stereo cloud particle images through linear array shadowing. Through the imagery, cloud particle size distribution, particle number concentration, and ice/liquid water content can be determined. It has a resolution of 10 µm and can measure hydrometeors in the 25-1280 µm range.
The Cloud Particle Imager (CPI) is an airborne imager manufactured by SPEC Inc. CPI collects high-resolution (2.3 μm pixel size) images of cloud particles that pass through its sample volume. It uses a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera that operates at 810 nm to record images and can take up to 74 frames per second with a refresh rate of 40 Hz. The imagery from CPI can be used to derive microphysical properties such as particle size and habit.
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 consists of 5 parallel condensation nucleus counters (CNCs) that are used to sample particles within the 3 to 60 nm diameter range. It can be equipped on multiple types of aircraft and is ideal for sampling cirrus clouds in the upper atmosphere. NMASS provides fast time response measurements at a temporal resolution of 10 Hz.
The Fast Cloud Droplet Probe (FCDP) is an in-situ airborne cloud probe manufactured by SPEC Inc. FCDP measures the concentration and size of cloud droplets by detecting the amount of light scattered by the particles. It measures particles within the diameter size range of 1.5-50 microns and has a typical measurement frequency of 1 Hz.
The AIMMS - 20 delivers precise real-time meteorological data at rates up to 20Hz. Formed by a combination of four modules: an Inertial Measurement Unit module (IMU) that delivers six degree-of-freedom rate data at 40Hz; a GPS Phase Module that processes satellite navigation signals from two antennas; an Air-Data-Probe (ADP) that measures temperature, humidity, barometric pressure and the aircraft-relative flow vector; and, a Central Processing Module (CPM) to process GPS data, inertial signals and air-data information that yield accurate wind data when combined.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity > Relative Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality
If instrument model information is not available, can use this instrument entry for temperature, pressues, wind speed, wind direction, humidity
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 Cryogenic Frost Point Hygrometer (CFH) is a balloon-borne hygrometer developed by the University of Colorado. CFH uses the chilled-mirror principle to measure water vapor from the Earth's surface to the mid-stratosphere. It is more sensitive to water vapor compared to standard radiosondes, allowing it to measure dew point temperatures with an accuracy of 0.2 K. CFH collects measurements about every 2 seconds during the balloon’s flight and has a vertical resolution of about 50m in the troposphere to 100m in the stratosphere.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles > Water Vapor Concentration Profiles
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Dew Point Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
This data will be added in future versions.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Tropospheric Ozone
The Aerosol Optical Properties (AOP) is a suite consisting of three instruments: a cavity ringdown (CRD) aerosol extinction spectrometer, a photoacoustic absorption spectrometer (PAS), and an ultra-high sensitivity aerosol size spectrometer (UHSAS). This suite measures aerosol absorption and extinction, and can also characterize black carbon optics. AOP was designed to provide quick and accurate measurements of aerosols with stability while aboard an aircraft.
The Atmospheric Vertical Observations of CO2 in the Earth’s Troposphere (AVOCET) is an airborne in situ spectrometer developed by NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC). AVOCET uses a differential, non-dispersive infrared spectrometer to provide high-resolution measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2). It operates at the 4.26 μm CO2 absorption band and has a measurement frequency of 5 Hz. AVOCET has been deployed in several field investigations since the early 1990s and has participated in over 450 science flights.
The Polarized Imaging Nephelometer is an in situ instrument designed and built at the Laboratory for Aerosols, Clouds and Optics (LACO) at the University of Maryland Baltimore County for the measurement of components of the aerosol phase matrix in high angular resolution between 2 to 178 deg scattering angles. The measured phase matrix provides extensive characterization of the scattering properties of the studied aerosols allowing for a very comprehensive set of aerosol scattering parameters. These measurements are essential for the validation of the new generation of aerosol remote sensors like the APS polarimeter in the Glory satellite, and for the construction of accurate models of real aerosol particles, specially the non-spherical ones.
The Differential Aerosol Sizing and Hygroscopicity Spectrometer Probe (DASH-SP) is an in situ airborne spectrometer developed by Brechtel Manufacturing, Inc. It uses differential mobility analysis (DMA) with multiple humidification and sizing modules to measure aerosol optical size and hygroscopic growth factors. The probe can provide faster time resolution measurements compared to other hygroscopicity techniques. DASH-SP can measure aerosol particles in the size range of 0.1–1.0 μm and operates at the 532 nm wavelength.
Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) - High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) implements both the DIAL and HSRL systems to measure both ozone and aerosol profiles simultaneously. The HSRL modification to the DIAL adds an additional 3-wavelength (355 nm, 532 nm, 1064 nm) narrowband laser and receiver to measure aerosol backscatter, extinction, and depolarization. The aerosol optical depth measurements along the flight track are also calculated due to the aerosol extinction profiles below and above the aircraft.
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.
The Georgia Institute of Technology Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer (GT-CIMS) is an in situ airborne spectrometer. It uses a lower-pressure flow tube reactor to measure reactive nitrogen species such as nitric acid and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) in the lower atmosphere. GT-CIMS has a typical temporal resolution of 1 second and a detection limit of 10 pptv.
The Thermal-Dissociation Laser Induced Fluorescence (TD-LIF) is an in situ airborne sensor developed at UC Berkeley. It uses a combination of the TD and LIF techniques to measure nitrogen dioxide (NO2), peroxynitrates, nitric acid (HNO3), and other stable organic nitrates in the atmosphere. TD-LIF operates at the 585 nm wavelength and has a typical measurement frequency of 1 Hz.
The Proton Transfer Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS) is an in situ airborne and ground-based spectrometer designed by the University of Innsbruck in Austria. It measures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) without sample preparation at very low concentrations. PTR-MS uses chemical ionization mass spectroscopy allowing for fast and highly sensitive detection of VOCs. It has a 0.5 to 1 s signal integration time.
The Soluble Acidic Gases and Aerosols (SAGA) is an in situ airborne sampler owned and operated by the University of New Hampshire. It uses a mist chamber and ion chromatography to collect and analyze select aerosol species. It can provide samples of nitric acid, chloride, sulfates, nitrates, chloride, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and calcium. SAGA has a typical sampling frequency of 5 to 15 minutes and has a detection limit of 1 to 25 pptv depending on the sampled species.
The Differential Absorption Carbon monOxide Measurements (DACOM) is an airborne in situ spectrometer system. It uses the differential absorption technique and an infrared tunable diode laser (TDL) to collect measurements of nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (CH4) in the atmosphere. DACOM operates across the 4.7, 4.5, and 3.3 μm wavelengths to access the absorption lines for CO, N2O, and CH4. It has a measurement frequency of 5 Hz and a precision of about 1 ppbv.
The Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry (PALMS) is a laser ionization mass spectrometer owned and operated by NOAA. PALMS provides in situ measurements of aerosol particles and their chemical composition by using a pulse from a UV laser (193 nm) to generate ions. These ions are then analyzed with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to provide the mass spectrum of each particle which can be used to classify the individual aerosol particles. PALMS has an aerosol size range of 0.2 to 3 microns and has a typical data rate of around 1 to 10 Hz. It can be utilized for either airborne or laboratory measurements of aerosols.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Chemical Composition
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols
The Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) is a laser-induced photometer manufactured by Droplet Measurement Technologies. SP2 provides measurements of the black carbon (BC) mass content of individual aerosol particles as well as the optical and physical properties of the particles containing BC. SP2 can be utilized on airborne or ground-based platforms and can be deployed with a paired Humidified-Dual SP2 (HD-SP2). It can detect aerosol particles with a diameter size of 200-400 nm and can measure 25,000 particles/second.
Broadband Radiometers (BBR) are modified versions of the Kipp & Zonen CM-22 pyranometers and CG-4 pyrgeometers. They have been modified to be more suitable for airborne platforms through different instrument housing and signal amplification. BBR measures solar irradiance in the 0.2-3.6 μm wavelength range and infrared (IR) irradiance in the 4.5-42 μm range. These measurements can be used to derive net irradiance, radiative forcing, absorption, and albedo. It has a typical sampling rate of 1 Hz and a hemispheric field-of-view.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Irradiance
The Solar Spectral Flux Radiometer (SSFR) is an airborne radiometer developed by the Ames Atmospheric Radiation Group. It provides remotely sensed measurements of solar spectral irradiance in the troposphere. SSFR operates across the 300-2150 nm wavelength range and has a spectral resolution of 8-12 nm. It has a typical data collection rate of 1 Hz and has a radiometric accuracy of 3%.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Irradiance
The CalTech Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer (CIT-CIMS) is an in situ airborne single mass spectrometer. CIT-CIMS utilizes 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, allowing it to operate at a high temporal resolution (10 Hz) and detect a wide mass range. CIT-CIMS is typically used for airborne observations, but it can be used for ground-based observations as well.
The Whole Air Sampler (WAS) is an airborne in-situ instrument that collects samples of air for analysis of trace gases, such as nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), Halocarbons, Alkyl Nitrates, and various sulfur compounds that are present in the troposphere. Air samples collected via the WAS then undergo gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to determine which gasses are present in the sample. The WAS collects samples every minute, which enables scientists to get a clear picture of the chemical composition of the environment as research aircraft pass through.
The High Volume Particle Sampler, also known as the High Volume Precipitation Spectrometer (HVPS), measures particle size distributions and obtains particle images in the size range of about 0.1 cm to 6 cm. It is an open-path instrument located on the outside of the aircraft, typically below the wing. A laser sheet throws a shadowgraph image of the hydrometeor (cloud droplets or ice crystals) in the sample volume on a photodiode array. As the hydrometeor moves through the sample volume, this optical array records the moving shape and a two-dimensional picture can be recorded. At an air speed of 100 m/s, the sample volume is 310 l/s. The recorded images can be analyzed for size distributions, number concentrations, and further cloud properties detailed below. Hydrometeors in the range of 0.3−19.2 mm can be fully recorded at a 150 μm resolution; larger particles can only be sized along the direction of flight. In order to keep the pixel resolution along the flight path constant, the system clock frequency is adjusted according to the detected True Air Speed (TAS) by the data system itself. The maximum clock frequency for the HVPS is 240 kHz. The HVPS data recorded during this project has 400 m m resolution along the flight path.
The Compact Atmospheric Multispecies Spectrometer (CAMS) is an in situ airborne spectrometer developed by the University of Colorado. CAMS uses mid-IR (3.53 μm) absorption spectroscopy to measure formaldehyde and ethane in the atmosphere. It utilizes difference-frequency generation (DFG) to produce the mid-IR light by mixing two near-IR (1562 and 1083 nm) laser sources. CAMS provides high-precision measurements at a sampling frequency of 1 Hz.
The Spectrometers for Sky-Scanning, Sun-Tracking Atmospheric Research (4-STAR) is an airborne sun-sky spectrometer that measures direct solar irradiance and sky radiance. These measurements can be used to retrieve column-integrated information on aerosols, clouds, and trace gases such as aerosol optical depth, extinction, and single scattering albedo. 4-STAR operates in the 350-1650 nm wavelength range and has a typical horizontal resolution of about 100 m.
The Charged-couple device (CCD) Actinic Flux Spectroradiometer (CAFS) is an in situ airborne spectroradiometer developed by the Atmospheric Radiation Investigations and Measurements (ARIM) laboratory at NCAR. CAFS measures spectrally resolved ultraviolet and visible actinic flux between 280-650 nm. These measurements can be used to derive the photolysis frequencies for several chemical compounds such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and nitrate. CAFS has a temporal resolution of 1 Hz and a wavelength resolution of about 1.8 nm at 297 nm.
The Cloud Particle Imager (CPI) is an airborne imager manufactured by SPEC Inc. CPI collects high-resolution (2.3 μm pixel size) images of cloud particles that pass through its sample volume. It uses a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera that operates at 810 nm to record images and can take up to 74 frames per second with a refresh rate of 40 Hz. The imagery from CPI can be used to derive microphysical properties such as particle size and habit.
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 measure water vapor in the atmosphere. DLH operates in the near-infrared region at around 1.4 μm and has a measurement frequency of 100 Hz. It can provide accurate measurements of water vapor even while 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 at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). ISAF uses laser induced fluorescence (LIF) to measure formaldehyde throughout the troposphere and lower stratosphere. It operates at the 353 nm wavelength and has a sampling frequency of 1 Hz. ISAF can measure formaldehyde concentrations ranging from 10 pptv to hundreds of ppbv at an accuracy of 10%.
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 coefficient. LARGE consists of multiple instruments including 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 across the 450-700 nm wavelength range, can detect particles in the size range between 0.003-20μm, and have a measurement frequency of 1 Hz. It is typically used for airborne measurements, but it also can be deployed on ground-based platforms such as vehicles.
The Airborne Second Generation Precipitation Radar (APR-2) is a cross-track scanning, dual-frequency airborne precipitation radar. It measures radar backscatter from rainfall to provide measurements of reflectivity, Doppler velocity, and linear depolarization ratio (LDR). APR-2 operates at 13.4 GHz and 35.6 GHz and has a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 5000 Hz. At a flight altitude of 11,000 feet, it has a horizontal resolution of 730 m at 13.4 GHz and 920 m at 35.6 GHz. APR-2 has a vertical resolution of 60 m and a ground swath width of 10 km.
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
The Fast Cloud Droplet Probe (FCDP) is an in-situ airborne cloud probe manufactured by SPEC Inc. FCDP measures the concentration and size of cloud droplets by detecting the amount of light scattered by the particles. It measures particles within the diameter size range of 1.5-50 microns and has a typical measurement frequency of 1 Hz.
The 2D-Stereo Particle Probe (2D-S) is an in situ airborne optical imaging probe developed by SPEC Inc. The 2D-S uses two diode laser beams to produce stereo cloud particle images through linear array shadowing. Through the imagery, cloud particle size distribution, particle number concentration, and ice/liquid water content can be determined. It has a resolution of 10 µm and can measure hydrometeors in the 25-1280 µm range.
The Meteorological Measurement System (MMS) is an in situ airborne instrument used for measuring atmospheric state parameters. MMS provides high-resolution and accurate measurements of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and wind direction/speed immediately around the plane. Additional parameters can be derived such as potential temperature, true airspeed, turbulence dissipation rate, and Reynolds number. Measurements of all parameters are typically collected at a rate of 20 Hz.
The Microwave Temperature Profiler (MTP) is an airborne microwave radiometer developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and later modified by NCAR. It measures thermal emissions from oxygen molecules in the atmosphere to prove temperature profiles above, below, and at flight level. It operates between 55 to 59 GHz and provides profiles every 17 seconds with 4 km horizontal spacing. MTP has a vertical resolution of 150 m near the aircraft.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
The Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP) is an airborne, passive polarimeter developed by SpecTIR Corporation. It measures total radiance and linear polarization across 9 spectral bands in the visible and infrared wavelengths (410-2250 nm). These measurements can be used to derive aerosol and cloud properties. RSP has a time resolution of 0.8 seconds, a field of view of 14 mrad, and a horizontal resolution of about 100 m at an altitude of 5 km.
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 and 1651 nm wavelength 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.
Broadband Radiometers (BBR) are modified versions of the Kipp & Zonen CM-22 pyranometers and CG-4 pyrgeometers. They have been modified to be more suitable for airborne platforms through different instrument housing and signal amplification. BBR measures solar irradiance in the 0.2-3.6 μm wavelength range and infrared (IR) irradiance in the 4.5-42 μm range. These measurements can be used to derive net irradiance, radiative forcing, absorption, and albedo. It has a typical sampling rate of 1 Hz and a hemispheric field-of-view.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Irradiance
The Solar Spectral Flux Radiometer (SSFR) is an airborne radiometer developed by the Ames Atmospheric Radiation Group. It provides remotely sensed measurements of solar spectral irradiance in the troposphere. SSFR operates across the 300-2150 nm wavelength range and has a spectral resolution of 8-12 nm. It has a typical data collection rate of 1 Hz and has a radiometric accuracy of 3%.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Irradiance
The Whole Air Sampler (WAS) is an airborne in-situ instrument that collects samples of air for analysis of trace gases, such as nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), Halocarbons, Alkyl Nitrates, and various sulfur compounds that are present in the troposphere. Air samples collected via the WAS then undergo gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to determine which gasses are present in the sample. The WAS collects samples every minute, which enables scientists to get a clear picture of the chemical composition of the environment as research aircraft pass through.
The NOAA Dual-Beam UV-Absorption Ozone Photometer (NOAA-O3) is an in situ optical balloon-borne and airborne instrument that measures ozone concentrations in the troposphere and lower stratosphere. It operates at the 254 nm wavelength allowing it to calculate the ozone number density due to the accurate ozone absorption cross section at that wavelength. It has a sampling rate of 2 Hz and a horizontal resolution of 100 to 200 meters at typical research flight speeds.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Tropospheric Ozone
The Aircraft Laser Infrared Absorption Spectrometer (ALIAS) is a high-resolution spectrometer developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to fly aboard the NASA ER-2. ALIAS takes real-time measurements of various nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen compounds, including NO2, CH4, and HCl. Its ability to be flown at high altitudes paired with its fast sample rate makes the ALIAS an ideal instrument to study atmospheric chemistry processes within polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs).
The Airborne Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (AirMSPI) is a passive remote, airborne pushbroom camera developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and engineers from the University of Arizona and the University of Texas. AirMSPI operates across 8 spectral bands (355, 380, 445, 470, 555, 660, 865, 935 nm) to provide multiangle radiance and linear polarization imagery which can be used to retrieve aerosol and cloud microphysical properties. AirMSPI has a spatial resolution of 10-25 m depending on the scan mode and typically provides image frames at a rate of 23 Hz. AirMSPI was designed to fly on the nose of NASA’s ER-2 aircraft and has been utilized in several aerosol and cloud investigations.
The Enhanced MODIS Airborne Simulator (eMAS) is an airborne cross-track scanning spectrometer operated by the Airborne Sensor Facility (ASF) at NASA Ames Research Center. eMAS collects high-resolution imagery of cloud and surface features which can be used to help develop and test algorithms for MODIS satellite observations. It operates across 38 spectral channels at 0.445-14.1 µm wavelengths and has a scan rate of 6.25 Hz. eMAS has a spatial resolution of 50 m and a swath width of 37.25 km at an altitude of 20 km.
Harvard Water Vapor (HWV) is an in situ airborne hygrometer developed at Harvard University that measures water vapor mixing ratios in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. HWV consists of two instruments with distinctly different methods for detecting water vapor: the Lyman-α photo-fragment fluorescence instrument (LyA) and a tunable diode laser direct absorption instrument (HHH -Harvard Herriott Hygrometer). By combining both instruments, HWV can identify and limit systematic errors while in flight. It provides measurements of water vapor mixing ratio from 1 to 1000 ppmv at a frequency of 1 Hz and with an accuracy of 5%.
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
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
The JPL Laser Hygrometer (JLH) is an in situ airborne hygrometer developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It uses a tunable diode laser that operates at 1.37 μm to measure atmospheric water vapor in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. JLH has a minimum spatial resolution of 25 m and a detection range of 1 to 500 ppmv. It has a typical sampling rate of 1 Hz and can provide measurements at a precision of 0.05 ppmv.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
The Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL) is an airborne lidar system designed specifically to provide multi-wavelength measurements of cirrus clouds, sub-visual cirrus clouds, and aerosols. It measures lidar backscatter across three wavelengths: 355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm. These measurements can be used to derive cloud optical depth, particle size distribution, extinction profiles, aerosol layers, and other properties. CPL has a vertical resolution of 30 m and a typical horizontal resolution of 200 m.
The Fast Cloud Droplet Probe (FCDP) is an in-situ airborne cloud probe manufactured by SPEC Inc. FCDP measures the concentration and size of cloud droplets by detecting the amount of light scattered by the particles. It measures particles within the diameter size range of 1.5-50 microns and has a typical measurement frequency of 1 Hz.
The Meteorological Measurement System (MMS) is an in situ airborne instrument used for measuring atmospheric state parameters. MMS provides high-resolution and accurate measurements of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and wind direction/speed immediately around the plane. Additional parameters can be derived such as potential temperature, true airspeed, turbulence dissipation rate, and Reynolds number. Measurements of all parameters are typically collected at a rate of 20 Hz.
