The Tropospheric Aerosol Radiative Forcing Observational Experiment (TARFOX) was a NASA-led campaign that studied how aerosols affect radiative forcing and climate change. It involved a single deployment in July 1996 along the U.S. eastern coast. The site was chosen because it is the source of one of the world’s largest plumes of industrial haze that crosses the Atlantic Ocean. NASA aircraft, the ER-2 and C-130, satellites, ships, and ground-based instruments were used to measure aerosol properties and evaluate their impact in the study area. TARFOX received funding from multiple agencies, such as NASA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Energy (DoE).
The MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS) is an airborne multispectral spectrometer designed to simulate the satellite instrument Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS). MAS operates over 50 spectral channels in the 0.55 to 14.2 μm range, providing high-resolution images of clouds and surface features. It has a horizontal spatial resolution of 50 meters and a swath width of about 36 kilometers at an altitude of 20 km at nadir. Its scan rate is 6.25 Hz, with each scan line containing 716 pixels.
The Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) is an airborne lidar system developed at NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC). LASE uses the differential absorption lidar technique to provide profile measurements of water vapor and aerosols in the atmosphere. LASE operates at the 815 nm wavelength and has a measurement frequency of 5 Hz. For aerosol scattering profiles, LASE has a horizontal resolution of 200 m and a vertical resolution of 30 m. It has a horizontal resolution of 5 km and a vertical resolution of 0.2 km for water vapor measurements.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles
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.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
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.
Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
If instrument model information is not available, can use this instrument entry for microphysics probes
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.
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.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
The Airborne Tracking Sun Photometer (ATSP) is an airborne device that measures direct solar beam transmission. The ATSP captures solar beam transmission through multiple channels with wavelengths spanning from 354 to 2139 nm. These measurements can be used to determine aerosol optical depth and other aerosol characteristics. Several versions of this instrument exist, including one developed by the NASA Ames Research Center.
The Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe (FSSP) is an in situ airborne optical particle counter initially developed by Particle Measuring Systems, Inc. It determines particle size distribution by measuring the light intensity scattered by individual particles within the cloud. FSSP can detect particles ranging from 0.5 to 47 μm in diameter. It functions at a wavelength of 633 nm and typically samples at a rate of 1 Hz.
The Radial Differential Mobility Analyzer (RDMA) is an in situ airborne analyzer that measures aerosol particle properties. RDMA samples aerosol particles through an ion source where they acquire an electrical charge. Particles with the correct charge and mobility are then counted with a condensation nuclei counter to determine the particle size. RDMA was designed to detect ultrafine aerosol particles in the 3 to 200 nanometer range.
Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
The Johnson-Williams Cloud Water Meter (CWM) is a mounted airborne hot wire probe developed by Johnson-Williams, Inc. The CWM measures the liquid water content (LWC) of clouds using an electrical circuit that detects resistivity changes caused by cloud droplets evaporating from an exposed heated wire. It can detect LWC levels ranging from 0 to 6 grams per cubic meter and operates at airspeeds between 50 and 150 meters per second. The device runs on a constant current and typically records data at 2 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.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
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.
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.
Generic-Chemistry Related Sensors (Gen-Chemistry) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for atmospheric chemistry measurements. These are typically in situ analyzers that measure various chemical compounds such as trace gases, halocarbons, volatile organic compounds, nitrates, aerosols, and other chemical species. Measurements can include mixing ratio, composition, particle size, optical properties, and particle size distribution.
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 Airborne Tracking Sun Photometer (ATSP) is an airborne device that measures direct solar beam transmission. The ATSP captures solar beam transmission through multiple channels with wavelengths spanning from 354 to 2139 nm. These measurements can be used to determine aerosol optical depth and other aerosol characteristics. Several versions of this instrument exist, including one developed by the NASA Ames Research Center.
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.
The Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe (FSSP) is an in situ airborne optical particle counter initially developed by Particle Measuring Systems, Inc. It determines particle size distribution by measuring the light intensity scattered by individual particles within the cloud. FSSP can detect particles ranging from 0.5 to 47 μm in diameter. It functions at a wavelength of 633 nm and typically samples at a rate of 1 Hz.
The University of Washington-Georgia Tech Lidar System is an airborne lidar system that uses a downward-pointing, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG) laser. It was designed by Georgia Tech to be mounted on the University of Washington C-131A research aircraft. It is frequency doubled to operate at both 532 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths, allowing it to measure lidar backscatter to retrieve profiles of aerosol optical properties. It has a pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz and a digitization rate of 25 or 50 ns, providing a vertical resolution of 7.5 and 15 meters, respectively. Its horizontal resolution ranges from 40 to 80 meters.
The Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR) is an airborne multichannel scanning radiometer developed by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). CAR provides measurements of scattered radiance and bidirectional surface reflectance across 14 spectral bands in the visible and near-infrared wavelengths (0.34-2.30 µm). It also captures imagery of cloud and surface features on Earth. CAR has a scan rate of 1.67 Hz (100 rpm) and a spatial resolution of 4 meters at nadir, at an altitude of 200 meters above ground.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Radiative Transfer
NOx/NOxy is an in situ chemiluminescence instrument that measures nitrogen oxides and ozone in the atmosphere. It offers a spatial resolution better than 100 meters at typical DC-8 research flight speeds. NOx/NOxy can be used on ground-based, airborne, and shipborne platforms, enabling it to support various atmospheric chemistry and air quality studies.
The Raman Lidar (RL) is a ground-based lidar system operated by the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility. It detects Raman backscatter in the ultraviolet range (355 nm) to provide profiles of water vapor, temperature, and aerosol and cloud optical properties. It also detects Raman backscatter from water vapor at 408 nm and molecular nitrogen at 387 nm to help derive aerosol optical properties and water vapor mixing ratios. It has a range resolution of 7.5 m, a time resolution of 10 seconds, and a pulse repetition frequency of 30 Hz. RL can deliver profile measurements from approximately 200 m up to 10 km above ground level.
Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
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.
The PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) Sensor reports the Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD), which corresponds to micromoles of photons per meter squared per second (μmol m-2 s-1). This is the power of electromagnetic radiation in the spectral range that is used by plants for photosynthesis (400–700 nm). It features a waterproof sensor head and can be used to measure PPFD from sunlight and electric light sources. This sensor is ideal for experiments investigating photosynthesis and primary productivity and can be used in many agricultural and environmental science applications.
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The Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) is an in situ aerosol sensor that can be operated on airborne or ground-based platforms, manufactured by TSI Incorporated. SMPS uses a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) to measure the electrical mobility diameter of aerosol particles, which helps determine the size distribution. It also counts the number of aerosol particles using a condensation particle counter (CPC). It detects particles in the size range of 10-1000 nm and typically takes about 10 seconds to complete each scan.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Chemical Composition
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.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
Spectrometers are instruments used to separate and analyze the spectral components of a substance. They usually measure the electromagnetic radiation that has been reflected, absorbed, or transmitted by the physical sample. Spectrometers can operate across the ultraviolet to infrared spectrum. The most common types include optical, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometers. They can be used on aircraft, research vessels, vehicles, and other ground-based platforms.
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
