Instrument

NOAA-CIMS
Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer

The NOAA Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer (NOAA-CIMS) is an in situ airborne spectrometer developed by NOAA. It was designed to provide high-precision measurements of reactive nitrogen and halogen species such as nitric acid, nitric oxide, and bromine chloride in the upper atmosphere. It can also provide measurements of ozone and water vapor concentrations. NOAA-CIMS has a detection limit of 30 pptv and a temporal resolution of 1 second.

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 Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Water Vapor

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Nitrogen Compounds > Nitric Acid

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Nitrogen Compounds > Nitric Oxide

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Nitrogen Compounds

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Oxygen Compounds > Ozone

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Halocarbons And Halogens

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Halocarbons And Halogens > Chlorine Nitrate

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Halocarbons And Halogens > Bromine Monoxide

Vertical Measurement Regions

Lower Stratosphere, Troposphere

Temporal Resolution

1 s

Spatial Resolution

Point

Measurement Frequency

N/A

Calibration Details

Currently unavailble

Online Information

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

Lead Investigator
Joshua Schwarz, Thomas Ryerson, Patrick Veres
Technical Contact
Thomas Ryerson
Instrument Maker
NOAA
Funding Source
NOAA
Overview Publications
Overview Publication
Repository
- Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC)

Instrument Operation

Platform

Campaigns, where the platform was used with this instrument

WB-57

NASA WB-57

15 Campaigns · 75 Instruments

MACPEX

Mid-latitude Airborne Cirrus Properties Experiment

2011

Central United States

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· 7 Data Products

CR-AVE

Costa Rica Aura Validation Experiment

2006

Costa Rica

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· 0 Data Products

CRYSTAL-FACE

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

2002

Southern Florida

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· 1 Data Product

ACCENT

Atmospheric Chemistry of Combustion Emissions Near the Tropopause

1999—2000

Southern United States

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· 0 Data Products

AVE

Aura Validation Experiment

2004—2005

Houston, Texas, Southern United States, Gulf of Mexico

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· 0 Data Products

DC-8

Douglas DC-8

38 Campaigns · 174 Instruments

ATom

Atmospheric Tomography Mission

2016—2018

Western Arctic, South Pacific, Atlantic Ocean, Greenland, Central North America

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· 41 Data Products

FIREX-AQ

Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments and Air Quality

2019

Northwestern and Southeastern US

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· 26 Data Products

SARP

Student Airborne Research Program

2009—2030

Southern California, Virginia

Ongoing

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Deployment Dates

Start Date	End Date
2009-07-12	2009-08-13
2010-06-20	2010-07-30
2011-06-19	2011-07-29
2012-06-17	2012-08-10
2013-06-09	2013-08-02
2014-06-15	2014-08-08
2015-06-14	2015-08-07
2016-06-12	2016-08-05
2017-06-18	2017-08-11
2018-06-18	2018-08-10
2019-06-16	2019-08-09
2021-12-03	2021-12-10
2022-06-12	2022-08-05
2023-06-11	2023-08-04
2023-06-18	2023-08-11
2024-06-16	2024-08-09
2024-06-23	2024-08-16