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Instrument

CIT-CIMS
California Insitute of Technology Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer

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.

Image of the CIT-CIMS during the SOLVE 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)

Overview

Instrument Details

Spectrometer/Radiometer
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Carbon And Hydrocarbon Compounds > Hydrogen Cyanide
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Sulfur Compounds > Sulfur Dioxide
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Nitrogen Compounds > Nitric Acid
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Trace Gases/trace Species
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Volatile Organic Compounds
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Nitrogen Compounds
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Sulfur Compounds
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Carbon And Hydrocarbon Compounds
Troposphere
10 Hz
Point
N/A
https://doi.org/10.1021/ac0604235External Link

  • Paul Wennberg, John Crounse

  • Paul Wennberg

  • Caltech, NCAR

  • NASA

  • Overview PublicationExternal Link

    • Unpublished

Instrument Operation

SEAC4RS

Studies of Emissions and Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys

2013
North America including portions of Canada, Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico
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1 Deployment
· 20 Data Products
DC3

Deep Convective Clouds & Chemistry

2012
Northeastern Colorado, West Texas to Central Oklahoma, Northern Alabama
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1 Deployment
· 19 Data Products
ARCTAS

Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites

2008
Alaska, Western Canada, California
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3 Deployments
· 5 Data Products
TC4

Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling

2007
Costa Rica, tropical Eastern Pacific
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1 Deployment
· 1 Data Product
The logo for the KORUS-AQ campaign
KORUS-AQ

Korean United States - Air Quality

2016
South Korean peninsula, including surrounding seas
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1 Deployment
· 12 Data Products
The logo for the ATom campaign
ATom

Atmospheric Tomography Mission

2016—2018
Western Arctic, South Pacific, Atlantic Ocean, Greenland, Central North America
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4 Deployments
· 32 Data Products
The logo for the FIREX-AQ campaign
FIREX-AQ

Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments and Air Quality

2019
Northwestern and Southeastern US
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1 Deployment
· 26 Data Products
INTEX-NA

Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment - North America

2004—2006
North America, Gulf of Mexico, North Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean
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2 Deployments
· 21 Data Products
ASIA-AQ

Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality

2024
East and Southeast Asia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand
Ongoing
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1 Deployment
· 0 Data Products
LMOS

Lake Michigan Ozone Study

2017
Lake Michigan
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1 Deployment
· 14 Data Products
INTEX-NA

Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment - North America

2004—2006
North America, Gulf of Mexico, North Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean
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2 Deployments
· 21 Data Products
SOLVE

SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment

1999—2003
Arctic, Kiruna, Sweden
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2 Deployments
· 32 Data Products

Data Products

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

Campaigns
CAMPAIGNS
Platforms
PLATFORMS
Formats
FORMATS
Douglas DC-8
Douglas DC-8
10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1581External Link
Douglas DC-8
Douglas DC-8
10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1713External Link
Douglas DC-8
Douglas DC-8
Douglas DC-8
Other Ames