Southeast Asia Composition, Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study

(SEAC4RS)

A NASA / NSF / NRL airborne field campaign focusing on atmospheric composition, chemistry, and climate over Southeast Asia.

Programmatic Context, Issues and Outlook

Anticipated deployment period: August - September 2012

http://espo.nasa.gov/missions/seac4rs

SEAC4RS Programmatic Objectives

• Science– Gas and aerosol surface emissions transport in convection– Atmospheric processes in convection– Atmospheric particle effects on weather and climate

• Satellite Calibration and Validation– Aircraft measurements will enable the improvement of satellite

measurements– Improved satellite measurements will be useful for climate research,

weather forecasting, land cover studies, …

• Satellite Prototype Instrument Testing (i.e, polarimeters)

– Fly airborne simulators of next generation satellite sensors– Provide new science data

SEAC4RS Programmatic Issues

• Combining Science – Cal/Val – Prototype Testing will compromise the output of the project– Possibly true for a single objective, but not true in the big picture– Even the progress toward a single objective may be enhanced in

the longer-term by the combination of these objectives

• Large Multi-platform, Multi-objective Campaigns are less efficient, scientifically, than a tightly focused, single aircraft project– Possibly true for some scientific questions– Advances in Earth System Science (e.g., climate) often require a

broad observational perspective both in terms of the variety of measurements as well as space and time frame (i.e., combine multiple airborne platforms, surface-based and satellite observations)

– We need to take on these large projects because we can

SEAC4RS Education and Public Outreach• Satellite and AERONET/MPLNET Data

Utilization Short Courses– Training in utilization of NASA Earth Science data

for research– Location: Utapao or University?

• Pre-Deployment Media Telecon• Visits to SEAC4RS at Naval Air Station

– Media Day– VIP Tours– School Children Tours (security?)

• Talks given by SEAC4RS Scientists– Location: Universities and/or Agencies– Level: Expert and/or General Interest

Aircraft PlatformsNASA ER-2: Upper Troposphere to Lower Stratosphere Cruise altitude 18-21 km, range 3000 nmi, endurance 8-10 h Payload: Emphasis on remote sensing of aerosols and radiation

with capability to observe basic chemical tracers

NSF/NCAR GV: Mid-to-Upper Troposphere Ceiling 14 km, range 4000 nmi, endurance 8-10 h Payload: Emphasis on detailed atmospheric composition and

photochemistry for gases and aerosols as well as cloud microphysics

NASA DC-8: Surface to Upper Troposphere Ceiling 12 km, range 4000 nmi, endurance 8-10 h Payload: Emphasis on detailed atmospheric composition and

photochemistry for gases and aerosols, detailed radiation measurements, and remote sensing of ozone and aerosols

BRRAA King Air 350: Surface to Upper Troposphere Ceiling 10 km, range 1700 nmi, endurance 6 h Payload: Emphasis on in-situ measurements of cloud particle

concentration and microphysics as well as aerosol and cloud condensation nucleus concentration and microphysics

Thai BRRAA Super King Air 350

Thai BRRAA Super King Air 350