Arrow leftBack to Explore

Instrument

OPC
Optical Particle Counter

The Optical Particle Counter (OPC) is an optical device used to measure aerosol particle size and concentration. It determines particle size and concentration by detecting the intensity of scattered light. Most OPCs operate within the visible to near-infrared wavelengths (500-1100 nm) and have a time resolution of 1 second. They are typically used to measure particles larger than 0.5 μm in diameter. OPCs can be used for both airborne and ground-based applications.

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)

Instrument Details

Optical/Photon
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Aerosol Particle Properties
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Microphysics > Particle Size Distribution
Troposphere
1 s
Point
272.5-599.6 THz
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2019.105452External Link
PEM

Pacific Exploratory Mission

1991—1999
Pacific Ocean
view all deployment dates
4 Deployments
· 51 Data Products
HIWC

High Ice Water Content Radar Study

2015—2022
Southeastern United States, Florida, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Southern California, Hawaii, Pacific Ocean
view all deployment dates
3 Deployments
· 0 Data Products
PEM

Pacific Exploratory Mission

1991—1999
Pacific Ocean
view all deployment dates
4 Deployments
· 51 Data Products
TRACE

Transport and Atmospheric Chemistry near the Equator

1992—2001
Brazil, Southern Africa, Tropical Atlantic, Central & Western Regions of the Pacific Ocean Basin
view all deployment dates
2 Deployments
· 25 Data Products
ATR-42

ATR-42

1 Campaign · 16 Instruments
MILAGRO

Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations

2006
Mexico City Metropolitan Area
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 0 Data Products
Cessna 207

Cessna 207 Stationair

1 Campaign · 7 Instruments
PAC2001

Pacific 2001 Air Quality Study

2001
Lower Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 8 Data Products
MAST

Monterey Area Ship Track

1994
Central California Coast, Pacific Ocean
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 0 Data Products
MILAGRO

Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations

2006
Mexico City Metropolitan Area
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 0 Data Products
MILAGRO

Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations

2006
Mexico City Metropolitan Area
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 0 Data Products

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

Campaigns
CAMPAIGNS
Platforms
PLATFORMS
Formats
FORMATS
http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/GRIP/LARGE/DATA201External Link
10.5067/ASDCDAAC/NARSTO/0015External Link