Chris Doran reports:

As of Friday, March 10, The T1 and T2 sites were essentially fully operational. Each side has a three wavelength nephelometer, a PSAP, CPC, OCEC analyzer, Eppley black and white radiometer, and MFRSR. T1 also has a PCASP and AMS while at T2 there is a solar tracker with a NIP, a second Eppley to measure diffuse radiation, a radar wind profiler, and a radiosonde system. The sodar at T2 is nor operational due to the loss in transit of an essential cable.

On days when the G-1 is flying over Mexico City, 5 sondes are being released from T1 by ANL at 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 local standard time (LST); if the G-1 is also flying to the north over T2, 3 additional sondes are released by PNNL at 11, 13, and 15 from T2. On other days, one afternoon sonde is being launched from both T1 and T2.

Conditions to date have generally been extraordinarily dry at the T1 and T2 sites. Figure 1 shows an example from a sounding at T2 in the early afternoon of March 10. Note the mixing ratio of less than 2 g/kg throughout the mixed layer, with even lower values above.

As was found in the 1997 IMADA-AVER, the mixed layer is shallow in the morning hours and grows rapidly sometime between 11 and 13 LST. This can be seen in the elemental carbon concentrations measured at T1 on March 10 and shown in Figure 2. Thee is a buildup during the morning hours followed by a sharp decline around noon. At T2 the peak values for the day occur later in the afternoon as the Mexico City plume is advected north. The rise in the organic carbon values is even more pronounced.

Figure 1. Profiles of potential temperature (left) and water vapor mixing ratio (right) measured at T2 on March 10.

Figure 2. Time series of organic and elemental carbon concentrations measured at T1.

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DOE G-1 - March  2006     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

March 3, 2006

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

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Author of report: Kleinman
Mission Number: 1
Type of Mission: Urban box P
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/03 18:30
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/03 21:50

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/08 00:40

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MISSION REPORT:

The objectives of our first flight was to assess operational status of instruments, become acquainted with air traffic control in MEX air space, and sample the urban plume which was predicted to be on the SW side of the Mexico City basin. Calibration equipment for many instrument is sitting in a trailer in Laredo, so assessments are provisional. Many instruments were down because stuff had not yet been delivered. We operated without NO, NO₂, NO_y, CO, PILS, peroxides, and the SP2; all but the SP2 rely on stuff that is safely ensconced in a seatainer in Laredo. McIvor type fixes have been implemented for all but peroxides and canisters.

Cooperation with ATC was excellent -- helicopter traffic was less than anticipated. Flight pattern consisted of a curtain over T1, transects to the W and S of the city, and an overflight of T0 at 1500' agl.

Ozone concentration reached 120 ppb, SW of Mexico City. Location was as predicted.

Pieces of this data set will be useful but for most instruments this was a test flight.

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  March 6, 2006

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

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Author of report: Kleinman
Mission Number: 2
Type of Mission: Urban box P-A
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/06 17:00
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/06 20:45

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/07 22:12
Revised at(UTC): 2006/03/08 22:45

---

MISSION REPORT:

The G-1 flight pattern consisted of a box around Mexico City. Takeoff time had to be adjusted to not interfere with the President's visit to VER. Our 11:00 takeoff put us over MEX between 12:00 and 2:00 (LST). High pollutant concentrations were found in the S side of the basin in accord with model predictions. This area was sampled with 5 transects ranging from 9.5 to 15K' msl, the highest transect poking above the boundary layer. We were able to communicate with the King Air which had preceded us into this area and we were able to select altitudes based on their lidar observations. Ozone concentrations (see below) were below 100 ppb in areas that had high concentrations of CO and NO_x. This situation is reminiscent of Phoenix. PTRMS should give information on a few VOCs and HCHO; canisters for VOCs have not yet arrived in VER. Air over T1 was clean. Fires were noted in several areas, most prominently on the east side of the basin. (See trace of light scattering coefficient below).

Please note: All data shown on this page or linked from this page should be considered preliminary, "quick-look" data, and not for use in presentations or publications.

Stephen Springston reports:

Progress due to planning, diligence, ingenuity and cooperation among DOE researchers has been nothing short of amazing. We're still looking for the seatainer. Its presence would make our lives easier and our data better, but we're making useful measurements in a stand-alone fashion.

Flew an urban research flight today. See Flight Track below. Biomass burning was prevalent (see photos). The plane penetrated one of these plumes as part of the flight. Clean air was sampled at ~16000 ft. Multiple layers of pollution were observed and a rich data set obtained (though not as well calibrated as desired). Clean air north of the city and pooling of pollutants to the south was apparent. Fine structure of pollutant plumes was striking. The flight was turbulent, but not too toasty after takeoff.

The instruments operating included: PTRMS, AMS (some software issues require resolution), PILs (difficult to operate without supporting equipment, but Yin-Nan Lee has worked tirelessly), VUV-CO (using an N₂ purge generously provided by EMSL/PNNL), O₃, SO₂ (previous problems resolved), three channels of NO, NO₂, NO_y (though not fully calibrated, nominal responses appeared reasonable and very high; kudos to Linda Bowerman for getting dry ice, and thanks to Carmen Benkovitz for assistance in translations), CAPS and PCASP probes, TDMA (kudos to Jian Wang for simplifying operator demands), the aerosol inlet flow appeared to be properly controlled starting this flight (thanks to Gunnar Senum and John Hubbe), CPCs (though the UCPC was frequently off scale, even with dilution), nephelometer, MFRs, Eppley radiometers and others. Only major systems not generating data were peroxide and the SPSP (which I'm told is being installed).

Preliminary processed data is being provided by this correspondent to PIs for inspection. Quick-look graphics are here. All data are PRELIMINARY.

We're all a tad stretched, but I think enthusiastic about what we've accomplished under the circumstances. Still no porta-potties. We've heard that the PNNL/BNL seatainer should leave Nuevo Laredo tomorrow. NCAR appears to have gotten some of their gear first to set up the ops center.

G-1 flight is scheduled for tomorrow March 7. Instrument suite will be expanded by the SPSP. Down day tentative for Wednesday March 8.
 

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DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/08 19:30

The G-1 flew the P-A pattern, identical to the previous day except for some shifts in altitude. Air was very clean to the east of T1, with pollutant levels increasing only slightly on a transect to the west side of the basin. As on the last several days, winds were from the north and highest concentrations of CO and inert tracers were predicted to be in the south side of the basin. The south side of the basin was sampled at 2900, 3300, 3600, and 4300 m msl, all within the boundary layer. Pollutant age was young as judged from NO_x/NO_y and high concentrations of primary pollutants. Ozone peaked at less than 100 ppb. Fires were observed on the east side of the city but too far south to be sampled.

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  March 9, 2006   Two missions today!

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/10 18:59

The G-1 flew pattern H which consists of urban sampling to the west, south and across MEX, 3 transects over T1 and 3 transects over T2. On the ferry to MEX pollutant levels were much higher than previous days and sky was milky. Above the BL at 13000 ft msl, O₃ = 27 ppb, NO_y < 1 ppb, and accumulation mode particles 40 cm^-3. Primary pollutants accumulated on south side of basin and over airport, NO_x ~ 50% NO_y, O₃ ~ 70 ppb. Air cleaner to east. Over T1 and T2 at 9.5 and 11.5 K ft, NO_y ~ 10 ppb, O₃ ~ 60 ppb. This was more of a basin background than a distinct MC plume. The 12.5 K ft transects over T1 and T2 were above the BL and air was clean. Refinery observed at west end of T2 transects. CO is down because of unreliable ground power.

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DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/10 19:28

The G-1 flew a modified pattern D consisting of 3 transects at 10, 11.5, and 15.5 K ft msl first over T1 and then over T2. Near VER there was a marine BL up to 3500 with much drier air above. At cruise altitude of 16 K ft msl, visibility to ground was impaired. Communication with King Air in flight was used to establish altitudes for transects. On west side of transects, pollutant levels were characteristic of a regional background; O₃ = 70 ppb, scattering = 50 Mm-1, NO_y = 7 ppb. Traveling from west to east there was a visible wall that looked like a dust storm.

On the polluted side, which we take to be the MC plume, O₃ ~ 120- 130 ppb, NO_y > 25 ppb, scattering > 120 Mm^-1 (occasional excursion to 300 Mm^-1). Aerosol components measured by AMS and PILS were not similarly elevated. Aerosol was strongly absorbing -- up to 60 Mm^-1. Dew point on the polluted side was 12 degrees higher than on the less polluted west side. This feature was observed on the T1 and T2 transects at all 3 altitudes. Location of the polluted edge was near or slightly east of T1 and T2. Transects to the east did not extend far enough to get out of plume. Concentrations decreased slowly to the east. A refinery plume was observed on the west side of the T2 transects. Very high SO₂ and NO_x, but not much of a signal in the aromatic compounds observed by the PTRMS.

Plans were to follow the CMET balloon which was launched while the G-1 was doing T1 transects. Communication with the balloon worked but the balloon failed soon after it was launched.

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  March 15, 2006 - - Two missions today!

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/16 22:00

The G-1 flew a shortened pattern in the AM. Purpose was to sample in source region with expectation of finding plume to N or NW later in the day. Haze in Veracruz with scattered Cu. Very clean air above. Altitude on the first T1 transect and over the city was 9.5 K ft. Very high concentrations of primary pollutants (CO > 1 ppm) on the west and south side of the city. Ozone up to 80 ppb. Periods with high CO/NO_y ratios. There was no visibility. None at all. Scattering 300 Mm^-1 with high absorption. SO₂ low single digit ppb. Sulfate is a minor component of aerosol mass. T1 transect coming home at 10.5 K much cleaner than at 9.5. Evidently caught Mexico City emissions within a shallow boundary layer. In cleaner parts of the boundary layer there was a couple ppb of peroxides. Looking back on city on way to VER at 11:30 there was no indication of forthcoming convective activity later in the day. Power distribution for SP2 solved.

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DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/16 22:03

The G-1 flew a modified pattern H which calls for 3 transects over T1 (10.5, 12.5 and 14.5 K ft); a loop on west, south and across city at 9.5 and 10.5 K ft; and 3 transects across T2 at 10.5, 12.5 and 14.5 K ft. Transects were to be shifted to the west relative to standard pattern in accord with Flexpart transport predictions. Highest O₃ (~ 180 ppb) found on west side of city. Haze from morning still around in PM. Flexpart particle model showed most of plume staying near city which is what was found. T2 transects cut short because of Cbs. Up to 4 ppb peroxide outside of source region. CO and PTRMS not operational.

Stephen Springston reports:

Two flights on the 15th. We continue to reconfigure the power distribution of the research instruments. Leaving the SP2 off for the first flight, we seemed to have succeeded. Primary pollutants abounded! We had some of the cleanest air (at altitude) and definitely the dirtiest air I've seen in making these measurements. It was hazy, with light scattering approaching 250 Mm^-1. CO exceeding 2 ppm was seen over a broad area. During the return trip, we successfully tested turning on the SP2 on a different power source.

During the turn around period before the second flight, repairs were made to the PTRMS transformer. Over Mexico City, we dodged rain clouds, virga, hail and lightning. Pilots did their usual excellent job of conducting the research flight safely. Ozone in excess of 170 ppbv was noted. Unfortunately we have no CO measurements for this flight. During climb out, the power sagged on the research bus causing the CO analyzer lamp to "flicker". All attempts to restart the lamp failed. We have seen this behavior before and the restore procedure takes about three hours of ground work. A UPS will be added to this instrument before flying again.

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  March 18, 2006 (Ended March 19, UTC)

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

---

Author of report: Kleinman
Mission Number: 9
Type of Mission: C-130 intercomparison; T1-T2
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/18 19:30
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/19 00:15

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/19 23:37

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MISSION REPORT:

The 2 objectives of the G-1 were to conduct an intercomparison with the C-130 and to sample the Mexico City plume in the T1 - T2 region. Flexpart and other models predicted the Mexico City plume to head north but miss T2 to the west. The intercomparison was supposed to start at the eastern leg of our standard T2 transect and continue to 100:04 longitude, about 80 miles west. On this first leg, the aircraft did not match up until the end. The return leg was more successful. Altitudes were around 12 - 13K ft. These legs included relatively clean air and a high concentration plume from Mexico City in the middle. Data will be examined to see if plumes from the Tula refinery and power plant were encountered. The G-1 also did 2 shorter legs over T2 and 4 legs over T1. While returning to Veracruz at 16K ft a region was encountered which visually appeared to be an intense dust storm. Most equipment worked.

Stephen Springston reports:

We flew wing-tip to wing-tip with the NCAR C-130.

After some difficulties in linking up in the haze, we flew together for ~17 minutes. Almost all equipment aboard the DOE G-1 was functioning well. From the data we recorded (a subset is attached in the pdf file here), we should be able to learn a great deal about our instruments behavior. There were relatively clean areas, dirty areas and a huge spike in the middle. While all data have NOT been subjected to full QA/QC, the results should prove highly informative. We look forward to receiving a full set of measurement data from our NCAR colleagues.

After the intercomparison we encountered a huge dust cloud that extended to 16,000 ft. The last picture shows this cloud looking toward the rear as we left the Mexico City basin.



The C-130 reported the same cloud (extremely high scattering (green > 250 Mm^-1) and low CCNs.



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March 19, 2006 - - Two flights today!!

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

---

Author of report: Kleinman
Mission Number: 10
Type of Mission: urban T0, T1, T2
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/19 15:59
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/19 18:52

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/21 23:57

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MISSION REPORT:

AM flight with takeoff at 10:00 to sample urban area and T1. Flight extended to give 2 T2 transects. High concentrations on west side of basin and on west side of T1 - T2 transects. Maximum O₃ ~ 80 ppb at west end of T2 transect. Less O₃ in city. Still very high aerosol concentrations in and out of city.

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

---

Author of report: Kleinman
Mission Number: 11
Type of Mission: T1, T2 Lagranian
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/19 20:55
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/19 05:04

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/22 00:00

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MISSION REPORT:

PM flight with curtain over T1 and T2. Flight duration limited by high runway temperatures. T2 legs extended to the east. Haze observed everywhere on transit to Mexico City. O₃ never exceeded 60 ppb. Brown plume encountered on return east of Mexico City -- very high CO and aerosol concentration.

Stephen Springston reports:

Two flights today showed thin plates of very high pollution even at 16,000 ft. One pilot remarked it was like flying inside of a frosted light bulb. Winds were very confusing in the basin today and the flow was not straightforward.

A good explanation for the absence of high ozone levels with the presence of sunlight, NO_x and hydrocarbons has already engendered much discussion.

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March 20, 2006 - - Two flights again today!

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

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Author of report: Kleinman
Mission Number: 12
Type of Mission: T1, T2 Lagranian
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/20 15:32
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/20 18:17

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/22 00:02

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MISSION REPORT:

AM flight starting at 9:30. Urban loop with transects across T1 and T2. Highest concentrations of primary pollutants in west of basin. O₃ mainly about 40 ppb. On T1 - T2 legs peak of plume (blob?) west of T1 and T2. Thin haze layers traversed above boundary layer with enhanced particles and up to 60 ppb of O₃.

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

---

Author of report: Kleinman
Mission Number: 13
Type of Mission: T1, T2 Lagranian
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/20 20:00
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/19 22:58

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/22 00:04

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MISSION REPORT:

PM flight starting at 2:00 with curtain over T1 and T2 -- 3 altitudes apiece. Mexico City plume found on T1 and T2 transects. Pattern sampled plume and clean air on each side. Centerline had moved slightly to east of T2 as models had predicted. Max O₃ concentrations ~ 105 ppb.

Stephen Springston reports:

Well, we did it! Five flights in three days! The two flights today were characterized as "An ideal Lagrangian!". We saw plenty of ingredients in the morning flight and some good home (casa) cooking and transport of pollutants by the afternoon. Instruments have been working well and the flight crew have ironed most of the kinks out. We still had some power limitations (trouble with SP2 on first flight), but these are not unexpected when aircraft resources are being fully taxed.

Preliminary data from Saturday's intercomparison flight (03/18) were given to Sasha Madronich. This is NOT a formal intercomparison, but rather a collegial exchange designed to improve the quality of the measurement process. The G-1 submitted all available measurements, but some were unavailable due to conflicts between measurement responsibilities and processing demands. We are all anxious to see NCAR's numbers and compare results. For me, it's always exciting to have independent measures of all those numbers we generate, process, analyze and publish from.

Our colleagues on the NASA J31 flew their last flight today and will be leaving soon. The NASA King Air is still on the ground in Tampico. I'm told the C-131 has a handle on it's cabin heating problems. The G-1 folk are pretty wrung out after two 3-1/2 h flights, but we also think 7 - 9 h in the C-131 with no windows is no picnic either. The Twin Otter has had FTIR alignment problems, but is flying regularly.

Local weather is pretty darn hot (upper 30's), and a tad humid here in Veracruz. Tuesday (03/21) is a down day for the G-1. Calibrations and data processing will occupy most of Tuesday. Wednesday's schedule (03/22)depends on weather.

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March 22, 2006

Stephen Springston reports:

The flights keep a coming.

Take off at 09:30, we found humid air, lots of hydrocarbons and large areas with total NO_y well over 50 ppb in our first flight. Ozone approached 70 ppb. The full instrument complement was working well from all indications.

We were all anxious to see what would brew up in this cauldron by the afternoon. All expectations were that the ozone production would be significant. On the climb out, we noticed lots of puffy Cu's and a few not so puffy ones (the kind that grow up to be thunder clouds). The weather briefing at 13:30 led to cancellation of the afternoon flight. Though we all wanted to measure in the afternoon, the convective activity not only would make it unsafe, but also would vent the same soup we wanted to study.

Indications from Sasha Madronich are that the NO_y signals compared well on the 3/18 intercomparison flight with the C-130. We're anxious to hear about other species, but NO_y was one we are particularly glad to see agreement with an independent measurement.

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March 26, 2006

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

---

Author of report: Kleinman
Mission Number: 15
Type of Mission: urban, t0, t1, t2 intercomparison
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/26 15:45
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/26 19:00

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/28 22:15

---

MISSION REPORT:

A morning intercomparison was scheduled with C-130 along T2 transect similar to 1st intercomparison. Of particular interest was the comparison of aerosol composition from PILS and AMS. King Air scheduled to overfly route. Result: C-130 delayed on ground. G-1 AMS not working. King Air laser not working. Best laid plans ... G-1 flight included passes over urban area T1 and T2. High concentration on west side of city.

Stephen Springston reports:

One flight today. We fared better than the NASA King Air now back in Veracruz (but returned to the airport with instrument problems) and the NCAR Hercules (delayed one hour with #2 engine problems and returned early with #3 engine feathered). The absence of the Hercules was lamentable because it was a second opportunity to intercompare measurements.

The G-1 did well on it's flight except for problems with the AMS. We dodged cumulus activity on the return and elected to forego a second flight due to weather.

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March 27, 2006

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

---

Author of report: Kleinman
Mission Number: 16
Type of Mission: urban, t0, t1,
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/27 16:58
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/27 20:10

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/28 22:19

---

MISSION REPORT:

In an effort to beat the afternoon thunderstorms we started at 11:00. Did two loops around the city and 4 transects over T1. 50% cloud cover with bases at 11.5 K. Highest pollutant concentrations at west end of T1 transect. Plenty of primary pollutants but O₃ just reached 100 ppb. As always, lots of aerosols.

Stephen Springston reports:

Flight today at 11:00 LST. That's flight 15, not counting the one aborted flight. Not bad at all considering the conditions. For today, clouds were building the whole flight. Found some pollutants in western edge of basin. Haze was building as the flight went on, and so were the thunderheads. Ozone exceeded 100 ppb a couple of times, but we never saw the high levels expected given the CO and NO_y levels. Humidity exceeded 80%.

PTRMS reports pretty heavy hydrocarbon loadings. So where's the ozone? The high clouds did shade the region, we estimated 50% cloud coverage, but we still should have seen more.

The G-1 was supposed to coordinate with the King Air, but they returned to Veracruz with a faulty laser just as we were taking off. After a few well placed taps, the laser started and they flew their mission.

G-1 instruments are running great considering this is the last week of the program. The VUV-CO instrument is ticking smoothly. The only major blemish on the roster is the AMS which appears to have a short in the high-vacuum region and can't be repaired in the field (despite tireless efforts by Mike Alexander and John Ortega).

We're getting near the end of the project. Take an extra moment for safety. Also begin thinking about your "Lessons Learned" list for the program.

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March 28, 2006

DOE G-1 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

---

Author of report: Kleinman
Mission Number: 17
Type of Mission: urban, t0, t1,
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/28 15:30
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/28 15:30

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/28 22:21

---

MISSION REPORT:

Urban flight to sample early afternoon before thunderstorms canceled because of thunderstorms.

Stephen Springston reports:

Our last flight was done before we knew it. Today's scheduled flight originally was a balloon chase, but the balloon didn't fly. Plan B was to circumnavigate the basin, but cumulus activity and a bad oil-pressure reading on the #1 engine scrubbed that idea.

We're thanking the locals without whose help this program would not have been possible.

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NASA King Air - March  2006     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

 

 
  March 3, 2006
 
  Mission Report (pdf file)

NASA B200 Scientist Mission Summary Report (MILAGRO)

---

Author of report: Chris Hostetler
Mission Number: R-008
Type of Mission: G-1 Overflight and South-East Survey
Start of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/03 18:30
End of Mission(UTC): 2006/03/03 21:45

Submitted at(UTC): 2006/03/05 22:00
Revised at(UTC): 2006/03/07 14:35

---

MISSION REPORT:

Goals

* Overflight of stacked patterns from G1 flight plan "P" to acquire coincident remote and in situ data and characterize aerosol distribution in the MC basin
* Overflight of T0 and T1 ground sites
* Survey south and southeast of Mexico City to locate plume as input to C130 flight plan for their 4 March flight

Intended Flight Plan
Flight Operations
Take off: 1817 UT
Landing 2140UT

Summary

* Mission proceeded as planned and data were acquired corresponding to all objectives.

Data were acquired over the G1 flight tracks and information on layer altitudes were radioed to the G1 when it arrived on station. Reports from G1 scientists indicated that this information was useful in selecting new altitudes for their stacked/wall patterns during their mission.

Lidar data images from this flight have been posted to the Research Products section of the MILAGRO Field Catalog.

B200
Flight_Track	1817
lidar_ASR532	1817
lidar_ASR532_3D	1817
lidar_ext532	1817
lidar_sa532	1817
lidar_wvd532	1817

Instrument Status
The HSRL and HySPAR instruments functioned nominally. The LAABS instrument
locked up a few times during the flight and had to be restarted.


This flight focused on acquiring coincident measurements in the Mexico City basin with the G-1 and a survey of aerosol south and east of Mexico City as a scouting mission to locate the Mexico City plume as an aid in planning the C-130 flight for the following day.

Instrument Performance Summary

High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL): worked flawlessly throughout the flight.

Langley Airborne A-band Spectrometer (LAABS): worked well with the exception of locking up briefly on two occasions.

Hyperspectral Polarimeter for Aerosol Retrievals (HySPAR): worked well throughout the flight.


Flight track (with zoom over Mexico City) and plots of aerosol backscatter ratio, aerosol extinction, aerosol backscatter wavelength dependence, and total depolarization are available as a pdf file.

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  March 6, 2006
 
  Mission Report (pdf file)
 
  NASA B200/MILAGRO-5 Flight Summary

6 March 2006

Goals

* Coordinated flight with the J31 on transit to Mexico City to acquire coincident HySPAR and RSP data

* Overflight of stacked patterns from G1 flight plan "P"

* Terra underflight; coincident data with MISR in Local Mode over Mexico City; overpass time = 1712 UT

* Overflight of the J31 spirals at T0 to acquire coincident extinction profiles < br>

Intended Flight Plan

Flight Operations Take off: 1553 UT Landing 1846UT

Mission proceeded as planned and data were acquired corresponding to all objectives.

It seems unlikely that we will be able to make the planned comparisons with the data from the J31. According to the J31 AATS-14 PI, conditions encountered during the J31 spiral at T0 were not conducive for accurate extinction profile from AATS-14 due to excessive horizontal variability over the spiral footprint. Preliminary reports indicate a similar problem existed for the RSP data from the J31.

Data were acquired over the G1 flight tracks and information on layer altitudes were radioed to the G1 when it arrived on station. Reports from G1 scientists indicated that this information was useful in selecting new altitudes for their stacked/wall patterns during their mission.

With respect to the orbits over the J31 spirals and G1 patterns, we note that it would be beneficial to execute passes with longer straight legs over the regions of interest rather than tight orbits. The instrument is programmed to block the transmitted beam when bank angles exceed 10 degrees, hence time spent in tight maneuvers results in loss of valuable data acquisition time.

Lidar data images from this flight have been posted to the Research Products section of the MILAGRO Field Catalog.

B200
Flight_Track	1553
lidar_ASR532	1553
lidar_ASR532_3D	1553
lidar_ext532	1553
lidar_sa532	1553
lidar_wvd532	1553

Instrument Status

The HSRL and HySPAR instruments functioned nominally. The LAABS instrument locked up a few times during the flight and had to be restarted.

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  March 7, 2006
 
  Mission Report (pdf file) Goals

* Raster pattern over Mexico City and area south of MC basin to where outflow
was predicted
* Overflight of stacked patterns from G1 flight plan "P"

Flight Operations
Take off: 1700 UT
Landing 2048UT

Summary

Mission proceeded as planned and data were acquired corresponding to all objectives.

Lidar data images from this flight have been posted to the Research Products section of the MILAGRO Field Catalog.

B200
Flight_Track	1700
lidar_ASR532	1700
lidar_ASR532_3D	1700
lidar_dep532	1700
lidar_ext532	1700
lidar_sa532	1700
lidar_wvd532	1700

Instrument Status

The HSRL and HySPAR instruments functioned nominally. The LAABS instrument locked up a few times during the flight and had to be restarted.

Rich Ferrare reports:

Here are a few images to give an idea of what we have been up to...
 
  The scattering ratio and extinction are extensive parameters, and wavelength dependence, depolarization, and extinction/backscatter ratio are intensive parameters. Initial looks show quite a bit of variability in terms of aerosol amounts, and less variability in aerosol intensive properties. However, the depolarization does show considerable variability, likely due to variability associated with smoke and/or dust.
 
  Right now, we are collecting data at a rapid pace (~ 1 flight/day, sometimes 2/day), and so we are pressed to keep up with processing and creating such images. We will be placing these on the data archive as soon as possible.
 
  1. 0307_flight_track1 shows the B200 King Air flight track from Tuesday, March 7. This was a "raster" scan pattern that we used in coordination of G-1 over Mexico City. The locations of T0, T1, T2 sites are indicated as well; we flew over T0 and T1.

 
 
 
  2. 20060307_bsr shows the full flight image of aerosol scattering ratio (532 nm) measured during the flight. Aerosol scattering ratio is the ratio of aerosol backscattering to molecular backscatter. The altitudes are in relation to sea level, so the large black areas at the bottom of the image represent the ground altitudes. Vertical resolution is 60 m, temporal resolution is 10 seconds, which translates to a horizontal resolution about 1 km. For the purposes of display, the image only shows every 20th profile.
 

Chris Hostetler notes:
 
  We are getting spectacular data with the lidar. Our coordination with the G1 has been excellent so far. We have over-flown their routes on several flights and have relayed info to them on boundary layer height that they have used to adjust the altitude of their passes over Mexico City.
 
  The plots all go to 8 km as a default. The King Air is limited to 28 kft. We fly as high as ATC allows us. Typically between 8 and 9 km. Most products are processed from just below the aircraft to the ground. The products involving extinction (extinction and extinction-to-backscatter ratio) are processed from 1 km below the aircraft to ground. For the plots that follow, the color scale has been set so that 0 is black.
 
 

Please note: All data shown on this page or linked from this page should be considered preliminary, "quick-look" data, and not for use in presentations or publications.

 
 
 
 

Rich Ferrare continues:
 
  3. 20060307_ext is the same, except for aerosol extinction (532 nm). HSRL, like Raman, directly measures aerosol extinction. Here vertical resolution is 300 m, and temporal resolution is 1 minute, which translates to a horizontal resolution about 6 km. Again, for the purposes of display, the image only shows every 20th profile.

 
 
 
  4. 20060307_depol shows total (aerosol + molecular) depolarization, expressed as a fraction. Non-spherical particles have higher depolarization. Resolution and display are the same as for scattering ratio.
 
 
 
  5. 20060307_wvd shows wavelength dependence of aerosol backscattering. This is an Angstrom type exponent for aerosol backscatter. Smaller values correspond to larger particles.
 
 
 
  6. 20060307_sa shows aerosol extinction/backscatter ratio (532 nm).
 
 
 
  7. 03072006_HSRL_ASR shows aerosol scattering ratio, this time displayed in a three dimensions, so it is easier to see horizontal and vertical distributions at the same time. Note the surface elevation in gray scale.
 
 
 
  8. 03072006_HSRL_ASR.avi is an movie loop in avi showing format the 3-D distribution of aerosol scattering ratio from various angles. Click on the image to display (or download for subsequent display if your browser is not configured to display avi animations). The movie plays in Quicktime (R) and other suitable software. Note the surface elevation in gray scale.
 
 

Return to calendar
 
 
 
 
 
  March 8, 2006
 
  Mission Report (pdf file)

Goals

* Acquire data coincident with MODIS and A-train satellite instruments; overpass
2010 UT
* Coordinated flights with J31 AATS-14 spirals and RSP "figure four" patterns

Flight Operations
Take off: 1905 UT
Landing 2135 UT

Summary

The J31 flight was scrubbed due to a bird strike on take off. The B200 proceeded as planned and acquired data along the solar principal and cross-principal plane for HySPAR and data under the Aqua MODIS swath.

Lidar data images from this flight have been posted to the Research Products section of the MILAGRO Field Catalog.

B200
Flight_Track	1905
lidar_ASR532	1905
lidar_ASR532_3D	1905
lidar_ext532	1905
lidar_sa532	1905
lidar_wvd532	1905

Instrument Status

The HSRL and HySPAR instruments functioned nominally. The LAABS instrument locked up a few times during the flight and had to be restarted.


Return to calendar
 
 
 
 
 
  March 9, 2006 -- Two missions today!! First Mission
 
  Mission Report (pdf file)
 
  Goals

* Raster pattern over the Mexico City basin and region north of the basin to characterize aerosol distribution and predicted outflow to the north.
* Overflight of G-1 plan "P" stacked/wall patterns to acquire coincident remote and in situ observations
* This was the first of a two-flight day to characterize the MC basin and outflow in the morning and afternoon.

Flight Operations
Take off: 0854 UT
Landing 1207 UT

Summary

Flight proceeded according to plan. The B200 overflew the G1 patterns and radioed layer height information to the G1 to allow them to adjust the altitudes of the G1 stacked/wall patterns. Northernmost transect from west to east was cut short due to low fuel. The B200 landed in Taluca to refuel for the afternoon flight.

Lidar data images from this flight have been posted to the Research Products section of the MILAGRO Field Catalog.

B200
Flight_Track	0854
lidar_ASR532	0854
lidar_ASR532_3D	0854
lidar_ext532	0854
lidar_sa532	0854
lidar_wvd532	0854

Instrument Status

The HSRL and HySPAR instruments functioned nominally. The LAABS instrument locked up a few times during the flight and had to be restarted.

 
  March 9, 2006, Second Mission
 
  Mission Report (pdf file)
 
  Goals

* Raster pattern over the Mexico City basin and region north of the basin to characterize aerosol distribution and predicted outflow to the north.
* Overflight of G-1 plan "P" stacked/wall patterns to acquire coincident remote and in situ observations
* This was the second of a two-flight day to characterize the MC basin and outflow in the morning and afternoon.

Flight Operations
Take off: 1402 UT
Landing 1714 UT

Summary

Flight proceeded according to plan. The B200 overflew the G-1 patterns and radioed layer height information to the G-1 to allow them to adjust the altitudes of the G1 stacked/wall patterns.

Lidar data images from this flight have been posted to the Research Products section of the MILAGRO Field Catalog. Instrument Status

B200
Flight_Track	1402
lidar_ASR532	1402
lidar_ASR532_3D	1402
lidar_ext532	1402
lidar_sa532	1402
lidar_wvd532	1402

The HSRL and HySPAR instruments functioned nominally. The LAABS instrument locked up a few times during the flight and had to be restarted.



Return to calendar
 
 
 
 
 
  March 10, 2006
 
  Mission Report (pdf file)

Goals

* Acquire data coincident with MODIS/Terra off coast east of VER; overpass time = 16:52 UT
* Overflight of the J31 spirals at point 2 for coincident extinction comparisons
* Overflight of the J31 and C130 spirals at point 4 for coincident extinction and in situ aerosol observations
* Coordinated flight with J31 RSP "Figure -4" pattern to acquire RSP-HySPAR- HSRL coincident data

Flight Operations
Planned take off: 1409 UT
Landing 1801UT

Summary

The J31 executed its first spiral earlier in the flight out than planned. The second spiral was conducted at the planned location. Cirrus clouds (which complicate the J31/AATS- 14 measurement) were observed visually by the B200 pilot; however the J31 flight scientist reported that the path was clear from the J31 to the sun and hence good data were acquired.

Mismatches in winds aloft and lower complicated the "figure four" legs intended to acquire RSP and HySPAR data on the principal and cross-principal planes. Confusion existed as to whether heading was important or track (i.e., direct overflight of the J31). We will have to do a better job of briefing our pilots on this maneuver.

Lidar data images from this flight have been posted to the Research Products section of the MILAGRO Field Catalog.

B200
Flight_Track	1509
lidar_ASR532	1509
lidar_ASR532_3D	1509
lidar_ext532	1509
lidar_sa532	1509
lidar_wvd532	1509

Instrument Status

All instrument performed nominally.


Return to calendar
 
 
 
 
 
  March 12, 2006
 
  Mission Report (pdf file)

Goals

* Acquire data coincident with MODIS/Terra over Gulf east of Tampico; overpass time = 1638 UT
* Coordinated flight with J31 spiral to acquire coincident AATS-14 and HSRL extinction profiles
* Coordinated flight with J31 RSP "Figure -4" pattern to acquire RSP-HySPAR- HSRL coincident data
* Locate plume moving northeasterly from Mexico City for C130
* Acquire aerosol data with flight along/into Mexico City plume
* Overfly T2, T1, and T0 on route to Mexico City
* Overfly Mexico City to acquire aerosol distribution data in basin and familiarize relief pilot with ops in city

Flight Operations
Planned take off: 15:40 UT
Actual take off: 16:07 UT
Landing 19:19 UT

Summary

Got a late start due to time required for Navigation database troubleshooting.

The J31 scrubbed the first spiral due to cirrus overhead. The location of the planned second spiral was re-negotiated between the J31 and B200 further south of the original point due to visual observations of cirrus clouds further north along the planned track. The result was to move the spiral south along the original flight track. The B200 overflew the spiral and conducted coordinated "figure four" pattern with the J31 to acquire RSP and HySPAR data on the solar principal and cross-principal planes.

The B200 then broke off from maneuvers with the J31 and proceeded to Mexico City, crossed MC and returned to base along the south side of the city.

Lidar data over the Gulf and on the route east south of Tampico exhibited several layers (sometimes 4 distinct layers) from 0 to 4 km. Layered structure became less and less evident as the B200 traversed inland toward Mexico City. It appeared from quick look displays that the B200's path crossed the strongest part of the MC plume after crossing the coast and heading inland (south and west of Tampico). A dust storm on the slope of the Tehuacan volcano between MC and VER was observed visually and in the lidar data (see photo below).

Plots of the lidar data have been posted on the Research Products link in the MILAGRO catalog.

B200
Flight_Track	1607
lidar_ASR532	1607
lidar_ASR532_3D	1607
lidar_ext532	1607
lidar_sa532	1607
lidar_wvd532	1607

Lidar data images from the early portion of the flight (route north over the Gulf and first part of the route east south of Tampico) were downlinked via the Iridium satellite modem to an FTP site. The science team in the Ops center conveyed plume location and altitude to the C130 project scientist via the "Chat" system set up for the C130. This was the first time the Iridium system was used to downlink data from the B200. (The team had to wait for some components in the ground shipment before implementing the downlink.)
Instrument Status

All instrument performed nominally.


 
 
 
  Dust storm on slope of Tehuacan observed visually and in lidar data.

 
 

Return to calendar
 
 
 
 
 
  March 13, 2006
 
  Mission Report (pdf file)

Goals

* Raster pattern over southern part of Mexico City and area south of MC basin to characterize aerosol distribution and predicted outflow to the south and southwest.
* Acquire coincident data with Terra satellite: MODIS plus MISR Local Mode over Mexico City; overpass time 17:22 UT.
* Provide input to G1 on plume location and altitude south of the MC basin
* Overfly T1 and T0 ground sites

Flight Operations
Take off: 1625 UT
Landing 2010 UT

Summary

Flight proceeded according to plan, with the exception that the turn at point 11 occurred east of that indicated in the figure above to conserve fuel for the transit to VER. The B200 overflew the T0 ground site at 17:22 UT, coincident with the Terra overpass. Information on plume location and altitude was downlinked to the HSRL team in the Ops Center and communicated to the G1 chief scientist prior to the G1 take off. The local modeling team requested final pass across MC from south to north to look for aerosol being pumped to high altitudes in the convergence zone. The lidar data indeed showed a very high (above 6 km) plume over the basin that appeared to be flowing north, opposite the predicted flow at lower altitudes.

Lidar data images from this flight have been posted to the Research Products section of the MILAGRO Field Catalog.

B200
Flight_Track	1625
lidar_ASR532	1625
lidar_ASR532_3D	1625
lidar_ext532	1625
lidar_sa532	1625
lidar_wvd532	1625

Instrument Status
All instruments operated nominally.


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ASP Chief Scientist

Acting DOE Program Manager

Stephen E. Schwartz Atmospheric Sciences Division Brookhaven National Laboratory Bldg 815E, 75 Rutherford Drive Upton NY 11973 (631) 344-3100 Fax: (631) 344-2887  Email: ses@bnl.gov

Rickey Petty  Climate Change Research Division U.S. Department of Energy, SC-74 1000 Independence Avenue SW Washington    DC    20585-0002 (301) 903-5548 Fax: (301) 903-8519 Email: Rick.Petty@science.doe.gov

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