Instrument

ACES
Airborne Cavity Enhanced Spectrometer

The Airborne Cavity Enhanced Spectrometer (ACES) is a two-channel spectrometer designed for aircraft measurements of glyoxal (CHOCHO), methylglyoxal (CH3COCHO), nitrous acid (HONO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and water vapor (H2O). ACES makes high-sensitivity measurements of trace gases and aerosols as light passes through the optical cavity equipped with a grating spectrometer and a charge-coupled device. ACES operates across two wavelength ranges (361-389 nm and 438-468 nm) and has high precision and temporal frequency.

NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory passes Antarctica's tallest peak, Mount Vinson, on Oct. 22, 2012, during a flight over the continent to measure changes in the massive ice sheet and sea ice. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger (Photography courtesy NASA Images)

Overview

Instrument Details

Measurement Type

Spectrometer/Radiometer

Measurement/Variables

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Trace Gases/trace Species

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Water Vapor

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Nitrogen Compounds

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Nitrogen Compounds > Nitrogen Dioxide

Vertical Measurement Regions

Troposphere

Temporal Resolution

1 second - < 1 minute

Spatial Resolution

Point Resolution

Measurement Frequency

Channel 1: 771-830 THz, Channel 2: 641-684 THz

Calibration Details

Currently unavailble

Online Information

Lead Investigator
Carrie Womack, Rebecca Washenfelder, Mike Robinson, Steve Brown
Technical Contact
Carrie Womack, Rebecca Washenfelder, Mike Robinson, Steve Brown
Instrument Maker
Currently unavailable
Funding Source
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, NSF, NOAA
Overview Publications
Overview Publication
Repository
- Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC)