NCAR_G5 Scientist Mission Summary Report (PACDEX)


Author of report: Stith
Mission Number: rf07
Type of Mission: research
Start of Mission(UTC): 2007/05/13 14:45
End of Mission(UTC): 2007/05/13 22:20

Submitted at(UTC): 2007/06/04 17:35


MISSION REPORT:

Transit to Hawaii, crossing a forecast plume of dust and
sulfates which was forecast to star at about the west coast. We
were able to make a vertical profile from 40,000 feet to 1000
ASL near the center of the forecast dust region, then several
legs in various regions of plumes at different altitudes. 

We did indeed find moderate levels of aerosols, and, for some of
them, there was a distinct larger particle mode on the uhsas
size distributions. However, the concentrations of aerosols,
such as ccn were not particularly high. Some measurements in mid
level stratiform clouds and in cu congestus clouds in and below
their base were made in the profile. Should be a good case
overall for studying an aged dust and sulfate plumes in the
Eastern Pacific, according to the forecasts and the fact that a
number of distinct aerosol layers with different properties were
found. The cloud data should be a small bonus.