The SUbsonic aircraft: Contrail and Clouds Effects Special Study (SUCCESS) was a NASA field investigation that studied the effects of subsonic aircraft on contrails, cirrus, clouds, and atmospheric chemistry. SUCCESS had one deployment during the boreal spring of 1996 across the central and western United States. NASA’s ER-2, DC-8, and T-39 aircraft were equipped with remote and in situ sensors to collect cloud properties, aerosols, contrails, and radiation measurements. The Department of Energy (DoE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurements Program (ARM) supported ground-based measurements by operating the Clouds and Radiation Testbed (CART) site in Northern Oklahoma and Southern Kansas. SUCCESS was funded through NASA's Subsonic Assessment Program (SASS) and the Radiation Sciences Program.
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
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Condensation Particle Counters (CPCs) are in situ sensors that measure aerosol particle concentration. CPCs measure aerosol concentration by condensing fluid onto the particles, allowing them to grow to more detectable sizes for optical scattering. Typically, CPCs can detect particles with a size range of 7 nm-3 μm, can measure particle concentrations up to 100,000 particles/cc, and can provide measurements at 1-second intervals. CPCs are manufactured by TSI Incorporated and can be deployed on airborne, shipborne, and ground-based platforms.
The Particule Volume Matter (PVM-100A) is an in situ airborne cloud probe manufactured by Gerber Scientific. It measures liquid water content and the effective radius of cloud droplets by measuring the scattering intensity proportional to the droplets' density and particle surface area density. PVM-100A operates at 780 nm and has a measurement rate of up to 5000 Hz. It can measure droplets in the size range of 3-50 μm diameter. The ground-based model of this instrument is PVM-100.
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 Radiation Measurement System (RAMS) is an airborne passive radiometer that measures broadband solar irradiance. RAMS consists of two radiometers: the Total Solar Broadband Radiometer (TSBR) and the Fractional Solar Broadband Radiometer (FSBR). The TSBR operates in the 0.224 to 3.91 μm range while the FSBR operates between 0.68 to 3.3 μm. It has a response time of about 60 msec and can provide measurements about every 5 m for aircraft speeds around 75 m/s. RAMS is typically used for airborne operations, but it can be used to collect ground-based measurements as well.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Irradiance
The Airborne Tropospheric Hydrogen Oxides Sensor (ATHOS) is an in situ airborne sensor developed by Penn State University. ATHOS uses a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technique to measure hydroxide (OH) and hydroperoxyl (HO2) in the atmosphere. ATHOS operates near the 308 nm wavelength, has a pulse repetition frequency of 3 kHz, and has a typical time resolution of 20-30 s. It was designed to be equipped on NASA’s DC-8 aircraft and can collect measurements of OH and HO2 in clear sky and light cloud conditions.
The Continuous Flow Diffusion Chamber (CFDC) is an in situ airborne optical particle counter (OPC). It utilizes vertical flow through two chambers with varying wall temperatures to grow ice particles within an OPC at the bottom of the instrument to determine particle size distribution. If conditions are steady, the CFDC can also measure flow rate, temperature, and humidity. CFDC measures the size distribution of aerosol particles between 0.4 and 20 mm. It measures particle counts every 0.2 seconds and particle spectra every 10 seconds.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature
The 2D-C/P Hydrometeor Imaging Probe (2D-C/P) is an in situ, airborne instrument that captures imagery of hydrometeors. It collects these images by recording the status (illuminated or shadowed) of the photodiode array as the shadow of the hydrometeors passes over. 2D-C/P also provides measurements of particle size distribution, cloud droplet concentration, and hydrometeor shape. Typically, 2D-C/P probes have an image resolution of 25 micrometers and can image hydrometeors with diameters up to 1600 micrometers.
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 NOAA Frost Point Hygrometer (FPH) is a balloon-borne sensor that collects profile measurements of atmospheric water vapor. It uses the chilled-mirror principle to measure the frost or dew point temperature up to 28 km in the atmosphere. FPH takes measurements at a vertical resolution of 5-10 m and a temporal resolution of 1-2 seconds.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Dew Point Temperature
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 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.
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 Millimeter-wave Imaging Radiometer (MIR) was a passive airborne cross-track scanning radiometer developed by NASA. MIR measured brightness temperature across nine channels and was used for clouds, precipitation, and atmospheric water vapor studies. MIR operated near and around the following frequencies: 89, 150, 183, 220, and 325 GHz. It had an angular swath of 100 degrees and a sampling frequency of 3 seconds. MIR typically operated on NASA ER-2 aircraft before its retirement.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Infrared Wavelengths > Brightness Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
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 the emitted thermal radiation between 3.3 and 18 microns at high spectral resolution. These measurements can be used to 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 has a sampling frequency of 0.5 s and 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 > Atmosphere > Clouds
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols
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 Radiation Measurement System (RAMS) is an airborne passive radiometer that measures broadband solar irradiance. RAMS consists of two radiometers: the Total Solar Broadband Radiometer (TSBR) and the Fractional Solar Broadband Radiometer (FSBR). The TSBR operates in the 0.224 to 3.91 μm range while the FSBR operates between 0.68 to 3.3 μm. It has a response time of about 60 msec and can provide measurements about every 5 m for aircraft speeds around 75 m/s. RAMS is typically used for airborne operations, but it can be used to collect ground-based measurements as well.
The Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) is a spectrometer that measures the chemical composition and properties of sub-micron aerosol particles. AMS has a maximum data collection of 100 Hz and can detect particles with a size range of 40 nm to 1 micron. It operates by switching between mass spectrum (MS) mode and particle time-of-flight (PToF) mode to determine the chemical makeup of aerosol samples. The AMS can be deployed on aircraft, ships, mobile laboratories, or placed directly at a field site.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Chemical Composition
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.
If instrument model information is not available, can use this instrument entry for temperature, pressues, wind speed, wind direction, humidity
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The Condensation Nuclei Counter (CNC) is optical method for
counting atmospheric aerosol particles.
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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...
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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.
Radiosondes are a balloon-borne instrument package used to collect profile measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity, and winds. These sensors are connected to a radio transmitter that sends the measurements to a ground receiver typically operating in the 400-406 MHz range. They typically provide measurements at 1-6 seconds, depending on the type and manufacturer of the radiosonde. Radiosondes are used for weather forecasting, ground truth satellite data, atmospheric research, and input for weather prediction models.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles
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.
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The microwave radiometers (MWRs) are ground-based radiometers manufactured by Radiometrics Corporation and operated by the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Research Facility. MWR measures brightness temperature at 23.8 and 31.4 GHz to derive column-integrated amounts of water vapor and liquid water in the atmosphere. MWR has a field of view (FOV) from about 5.9 to 4.5 degrees depending on the channel and has a typical time resolution of 20 s for sky-view observations.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Water Vapor
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
This data will be added in future versions
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The Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) is a ground-based passive interferometer developed by the University of Wisconsin Space Science and Engineering Center (UW-SSEC) for the Department of Energy (DoE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program. It uses Fourier transform spectroscopy to measure downwelling thermal infrared emissions from the atmosphere. These measurements can be used to provide profile measurements of atmospheric temperature and water vapor and detect trace gases. AERI operates across the 3.3-19 μm spectral range and up to 25 μm for the extended range version of the instrument. It has an optimal vertical resolution of 100 meters and completes a full sky scan about every 20 seconds.
The Radiation Measurement System (RAMS) is an airborne passive radiometer that measures broadband solar irradiance. RAMS consists of two radiometers: the Total Solar Broadband Radiometer (TSBR) and the Fractional Solar Broadband Radiometer (FSBR). The TSBR operates in the 0.224 to 3.91 μm range while the FSBR operates between 0.68 to 3.3 μm. It has a response time of about 60 msec and can provide measurements about every 5 m for aircraft speeds around 75 m/s. RAMS is typically used for airborne operations, but it can be used to collect ground-based measurements as well.
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
This data will be added in future versions
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Infrared Wavelengths > Brightness Temperature
This data will be added in future versions.
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The Total Sky Imager (TSI) is a ground-based, optical instrument that is manufactured by Yankee Environmental Systems (YES), Inc. TSI can provide full-color, hemispheric images of the sky during the day by using a charge-coupled device (CCD) imager. It also can provide measurements of fractional sky cover and sun obscuration by cloud. TSI can be mounted on mobile platforms such as trailers and research vehicles, allowing it to collect cloud cover measurements in various locations during a field investigation.
The Fourier Transformation Spectrometer (FTS) is a high-resolution airborne and ground-based spectrometer. FTS measures the solar radiance reflected from the surface, which can be used to derive measurements of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) in the atmosphere. It has a spatial resolution of around 100m x 1000m and a measurement frequency of 1 Hz for typical research flight conditions.
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
