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Instrument

FCAS
Focused Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer

The Focused Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer (FCAS) is an in situ airborne optical particle counter designed by Particle Measuring Systems, Inc. FCAS measures the light scattered by the individual aerosol particles to determine the particle size distribution. It can detect aerosol particles in the size range of 0.06 to 2 μm and can operate at altitudes up to 20 km. Typically, FCAS provides measurements at a sampling rate of 10 seconds.

FCAS during the MACPEX campaign

FCAS during the MACPEX 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

Measurement Type

Spectrometer/Radiometer

Measurement/Variables

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Aerosol Particle Properties

Vertical Measurement Regions

Lower Stratosphere, Troposphere

Temporal Resolution

10 s

Spatial Resolution

Point

Measurement Frequency

N/A

Calibration Details

https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1995)012<0115:POAFCA>2.0.CO;2

Online Information

https://airbornescience.nasa.gov/instrument/FCAS

Lead Investigator
James Wilson
Technical Contact
James Wilson
Instrument Maker
Particle Measuring Systems, Inc
Funding Source
Currently unavailable
Overview Publications
Overview Publication
Repository
- other NASA repository not formally considered a DAAC by ESDS

Instrument Operation

Platform

Campaigns, where the platform was used with this instrument

Image of the WB-57 aircraft taking off at JSC

Image of the WB-57 aircraft taking off at JSC

NASA WB-57

15 Campaigns · 75 Instruments

Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling

Costa Rica, tropical Eastern Pacific

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· 1 Data Product

Mid-latitude Airborne Cirrus Properties Experiment

Central United States, based out of Ellington, Texas

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· 7 Data Products

Costa Rica Aura Validation Experiment

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· 0 Data Products

Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers Florida Area Cirrus Experiment

Southern Florida

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· 1 Data Product

Aura Validation Experiment

Houston, Texas, Southern United States, Gulf of Mexico

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· 0 Data Products

Atmospheric Chemistry of Combustion Emissions Near the Tropopause

Southern United States

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· 0 Data Products

WB-57 Aerosol Mission

Ellington Field, Houston, Texas

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· 0 Data Products

Image of ER-2 taking off

Image of ER-2 taking off

NASA Earth Resources-2 Aircraft

48 Campaigns · 106 Instruments

Airborne Southern Hemisphere Ozone Experiment

Moffett Field, California, Christchurch, New Zealand, Hawaii, Fiji

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· 0 Data Products

Photochemistry of Ozone Loss in the Arctic Region In Summer

Arctic, Mid-latitudes

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· 0 Data Products

Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition

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· 2 Data Products

Stratospheric Tracers of Atmospheric Transport

Pacific Ocean, Moffett Field, California, Barbers Point Naval Air Station, Hawaii

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· 9 Data Products

SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment

Arctic, Kiruna, Sweden

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· 32 Data Products

Global Hawk

5 Campaigns · 28 Instruments

Global Hawk Pacific

Northern Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean

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· 0 Data Products

Douglas DC-8

36 Campaigns · 168 Instruments

SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment

Arctic, Kiruna, Sweden

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· 32 Data Products

Data Products

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

Campaigns

Platforms

Formats

MACPEX WB-57 Aircraft In-situ Aerosol Data10.5067/ASDC/SUBORBITAL/MACPEX_Aerosol_AircraftInSitu_WB57_Data_1

CampaignsMid-latitude Airborne Cirrus Properties Experiment

PlatformsNASA WB-57

STRAT ER-2 Aircraft In-Situ Aerosol Data10.5067/ASDC/SUBORBITAL/STRAT_Aerosol_AircraftInSitu_ER2_Data_1

CampaignsStratospheric Tracers of Atmospheric Transport

PlatformsNASA Earth Resources-2 Aircraft

Formatser

SOLVE I DC-8 Aircraft In-situ Aerosol Data10.5067/ASDC/SUBORBITAL/SOLVE1_Aerosol_AircraftInSitu_DC8_Data_1

CampaignsSAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment

PlatformsDouglas DC-8

FormatsOther Ames

SOLVE I ER-2 Aircraft In-situ Aerosol Data10.5067/ASDC/SUBORBITAL/SOLVE1_Aerosol_AircraftInSitu_ER2_Data_1

CampaignsSAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment

PlatformsNASA Earth Resources-2 Aircraft

FormatsOther Ames

SOLVE II DC-8 Aircraft In-situ Aerosol Data10.5067/ASDC/SUBORBITAL/SOLVE2_Aerosol_AircraftInSitu_DC8_Data_1

CampaignsSAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment

PlatformsDouglas DC-8

FormatsOther Ames