From: Chester Gardner
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

Research Area: Other

Mission Scenario:

The main objective of the Equatorial Mesosphere/Thermosphere Temperature Study (EMT2S) is to study atmospheric tides and sporadic layering phenomena at equatorial and mid-latitudes. We propose to deploy the University of Illinois Fe Boltzman lidar aboard HIAPER, along with the Clemson University digital ionosonde, and Illinois airglow imager and spectrometer and fly the instruments to Arecibo, Puerto Rico (180N, 790W) and to Quito, Ecuador (0.30S, 78.60W). The temperature, Fe/Ca+ densities, and airglow emissions in the 30 to 100 km region in the MLT will be measured during a series of 10 flights missions and during several cloud free periods on the ground at Quito. These observations will be used to (1) determine for the first time the tidal temperature amplitudes in the MLT over the Equator, (2) to compare the structure of the low-latitude Fe layer with similar data obtained over the Arctic, (3) to study sporadic metal layer formation in the Equatorial fountain, and (4) to study atmospheric gravity waves generated by the Andes.

Campaign Overview

The airborne campaign would begin on March 1 with a series of nighttime ferry flights to Arecibo, Puerto Rico (Borinquen Airport at Ramey). Lidar, airglow, and ionosonde data would be collected on all ferry flights. Out of Arecibo two roundtrip flights would be conducted during nighttime to study sporadic metal layers and gravity waves. These flights would be flown due south and due east or west of Arecibo. HIAPER would then be flown at night to Quito, Ecuador. Out of Quito a series of six roundtrip flights would be conducted to study gravity waves generated by airflow over the Andes and to study sporadic metal layer phenomena. Three of the flights would be conducted during daytime and three flights would be flown to the NSF Jicamarca Radar Observatory in Peru near Magnetic Equator. When observations are completed HIAPER would be flown back to Broomfield via Arecibo and data would be collected on all these ferry flights. The campaign duration is expected to be about 4 weeks. This duration is dictated primarily by weather conditions which can limit flight opportunities and groundbased observations.

Aircraft Operations

Number of flights required: 10 science, 4 ferry flight legs
Estimated duration of each flight: 8-9 hrs
Number of flights per day: 1
Preferred base of operation: Quito, Ecuador
Alternate base: Ramey, Puerto Rico
Average flight radius from base: 1500 mi
Desired flight altitudes(s): 20,000-28,000 ft
Particular part(s) of day for flights: 12N-6A local time
Number of scientific observers on each flight: 4-5
Requirements: Fe Boltzmann Lidar is a large instrument. Upward viewing ports for the two laser beams and two 16 inch diameter telescopes are essential. Proposed observations require high altitude long duration flights over the geographic and magnetic Equators.

Required Measurements

Ambient Air Temperature (OAT): yes
Absolute Humidity (RHOLA): yes
Radiometric Sky Temperature (RSTT): yes
Cabin Static Pressure (PCAB): yes

User-supplied Scientific Payload

Instrument Name: Fe Boltzmann Lidar, airglow imager & spectrometer, digital ionosonde
Weight: 2000 lbs
Size (19" panel or other): see Norm Zrubek at NCAR-RAF for mechanical drawings and specs
Power Required (watts, amps): 20KW, 85A
Type of Power (AC, DC, Hz): AC, 220 VAC 3 phase, 60 Hz
External Sensor Location (if any): none, upward viewing ports for 2 laser beams and 2 16 inch diamter telescopes required. HF antenna wire mounted from tail to front of plane

Special support needs on and comments regarding nonflight days:

Weather permitting, will operate lidar for four 24 h periods at Quito, Ecuador. Power must be supplied to aircraft and cabin must be maintained at normal flying temperatures near 65 F. Require 100 W 110 VAC UPS when we are on the ground because the diode seed lasers cannot be turned off. The cabin temperature cannot drop below 40 F during the entire campaign. Lasers can be damaged if they are cooled below freezing. Laser chiller uses a water cooling loop.

Special Requirements:

Require gust probe data on in situ winds and GPS positional data at 0.1 Hz data rate. GPS data should be distributed to the lidar data acquisition computer or the internal clock of the GPS data recorder should be time synchronized with the lidar data recorder.

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