Instrument

FIRSC
Far Infrared Sensor for Cirrus

The Far Infrared Sensor For Cirrus (FIRSC) was developed to provide infrared radiance measurements of cirrus clouds to improve understanding of cirrus on climate change. FIRSC is a type of Fourier Transform Spectrometer with two spectral bands between 10–35 cm-1 and 80–135 cm-1 and a spectral resolution of 10 cm-1. Additionally, the FIRSC has a field of view of 0.03 radians, a footprint of less than one kilometer, and a scan time of 4 seconds.

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 > Spectral/engineering > Infrared Wavelengths

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Tropospheric/high-level Clouds (observed/analyzed) > Cirrus/systems > Cirrus Cloud Systems

Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Infrared Wavelengths > Infrared Radiance

Vertical Measurement Regions

Troposphere

Temporal Resolution

5 sec

Spatial Resolution

<1 km

Measurement Frequency

0.3 - 1 THz, 2.4 - 4 THz

Calibration Details

https://doi.org/10.1364/ao.40.002169

Online Information

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20040086673/downloads/20040086673.pdf

Lead Investigator
Currently unavailable
Technical Contact
This data will be added in future versions.
Instrument Maker
Currently unavailable
Funding Source
LaRC Director’s Discretionary Grant, NASA Earth Science Enterprise and Earth Science Technology Office
Overview Publications
Overview Publication
Repository
- Unpublished