Arrow leftBack to Explore

Instrument

AO2
NCAR Airborne Oxygen Instrument

The NCAR Airborne Oxygen Instrument (AO2) is an in situ airborne instrument that measures oxygen (O2) concentrations in the atmosphere. It determines these concentrations using the vacuum-ultraviolet absorption technique. AO2 can also measure carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. During typical flight speeds of 300 knots, AO2 offers a horizontal resolution of 750 meters and a vertical resolution of 40 meters for 5-second measurements. Its usual sampling rate is 2.5 seconds.

Image of the AO2 instrument during the HIPPO campaign
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)

Instrument Details

Meter/Analyzer
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Oxygen Compounds > Molecular Oxygen
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Carbon And Hydrocarbon Compounds > Carbon Dioxide
Troposphere
2.5 s
750 m (horizontal), 40 m (vertical)
N/A
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2543-2021External Link
  • Britton Stephens

  • Britton Stephens

  • NCAR

  • NCAR

  • Overview PublicationExternal Link

Filter data products from this instrument by specific campaigns, platforms, or formats.

Campaigns
CAMPAIGNS
Platforms
PLATFORMS
10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1704External Link