NASA PEM-Tropics A: In-Situ Aerosol Data from DC-8 Aircraft, 1996

In-situ aerosol data collected onboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft during the Pacific Exploratory Mission (PEM) Tropics A campaign in August-September 1996. The dataset features measurements from condensation nuclei counters and was part of NASA's Global Tropospheric Experiment from 1983-2001, aiming to assess human influence on tropospheric chemistry. Data collection for this product is complete.

Use Cases

• Modeling aerosol radiative effects based on condensation nuclei counter measurements mentioned in the description
• Analyzing sulfur chemistry and DMS oxidation pathways in the tropical Pacific based on the campaign's secondary objective
• Contrasting atmospheric composition between dry and wet seasons based on the PEM-Tropics A and B mission design
• Studying longitudinal and latitudinal survey patterns of airborne in-situ data collected across the Pacific basin

Strengths

• Data collection is complete, providing a finalized record of the 1996 campaign
• Part of a long-term NASA experimental series (Global Tropospheric Experiment) spanning 1983-2001
• Focuses on a recognized 'very large chemical vessel' region, the tropical Pacific

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified

Provenance

Source

NASA Pacific Exploratory Mission (PEM) Tropics A campaign

Collection Method

Airborne in-situ measurements collected onboard a DC-8 aircraft using condensation nuclei counters

Time Range

August-September 1996

Freshness

Data collection for this product is complete; last updated date is unknown.

Geography

Tropical Pacific basin