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, including nitric acid, nitric oxide, and bromine chloride, in the upper atmosphere. It can also measure 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 unavailable

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

17 Campaigns · 84 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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· 0 Data Products

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

45 Campaigns · 182 Instruments

ATom

Atmospheric Tomography Mission

2016—2018

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

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· 56 Data Products

FIREX-AQ

Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments and Air Quality

2019

Northwestern and Southeastern US

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· 27 Data Products

SARP

Student Airborne Research Program

2009—2026

Southern California, Virginia

Ongoing

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Deployment Dates

Start Date	End Date
2025-06-15	2025-08-02
2025-06-22	2025-08-09
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