SAFARI 2000 C-130 Aircraft Aerosol and Meteorological Measurements

Aircraft-based atmospheric measurements were collected over Namibia during the SAFARI 2000 Dry Season Campaign from September 5-16, 2000. The dataset focuses on quantifying aerosols and trace gases from biomass burning, fossil fuel emissions, and natural sources to understand their impact on regional climate. It was gathered by the UK Met Office C-130 research aircraft and is hosted by the ORNL_CLOUD organization.

Use Cases

• Analyzing aerosol optical depth and extinction to model radiative forcing effects on climate.
• Studying trace gas concentrations like nitrogen oxides and non-methane hydrocarbons to identify pollution sources.
• Correlating cloud condensation nuclei measurements with cloud droplet properties to assess aerosol-cloud interactions.
• Investigating the vertical profiles of atmospheric water vapor and ozone using aircraft-based in-situ data.

Strengths

• Data collection was focused during a key regional dry season campaign over a 12-day period in September 2000.
• Measurements cover a wide range of atmospheric properties, including aerosol microphysics, trace gases, and radiation, as indicated by the detailed tags.

Limitations

• The exact row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided by any source, limiting precise assessment of data volume and structure.
• There is a conflict in the 'last updated' metadata, with one source listing 2000-09-16 and another listing 2026-03-12, creating uncertainty about data currency.

Provenance

Source

ORNL_CLOUD organization and the UK Met Office C-130 research aircraft.

Collection Method

In-situ measurements collected via a series of aircraft flights over Namibia.

Time Range

September 5-16, 2000

Freshness

2026-03-12 21:49:18.660902

Geography

Windhoek, Namibia, and surrounding flight paths over southern Africa.