SONEX: Photolysis Frequencies from DC-8 Aircraft

SONEX_jValue_AircraftInSitu_DC8_Data contains photolysis frequencies (j-values) measured by Scanning Actinic Flux Spectroradiometers (SAFS) aboard a NASA DC-8 aircraft. The data originates from the 1997 Subsonics Assessment Ozone and NOx Experiment (SONEX), an international mission sampling the North Atlantic Flight Corridor to assess the impact of aircraft emissions on atmospheric composition. The dataset is part of a larger payload that included measurements of NOx, ozone, aerosols, and other trace gases.

Use Cases

• Modeling atmospheric photochemical reaction rates based on in-situ j-value measurements.
• Assessing the perturbation of UT/LS ozone from aircraft emissions, as referenced in the mission objectives.
• Studying the correlation between photolysis frequencies and other co-measured species like NOx, O3, and aerosols.
• Analyzing air parcel history affected by convection, lightning, or stratospheric intrusions using targeted flight data.

Strengths

• Data is from a well-documented, international multi-organizational mission (SONEX/POLINAT-2) involving NASA and DLR.
• Measurements are highly specific, capturing photolysis frequencies critical for modeling atmospheric chemistry.
• Data collection is explicitly stated as complete across all sources.

Limitations

• Critical metadata is missing: column names, row counts, and file size are unknown across all platforms.
• There is a conflict in the 'last updated' date: Data.gov lists 2026 (future date), while NASA Earthdata lists 1997.
• The license is ambiguously listed as 'other-license-specified' on Data.gov but is 'None' on NASA Earthdata.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

In-situ measurements collected by Scanning Actinic Flux Spectroradiometers (SAFS) aboard a NASA DC-8 aircraft.

Time Range

October-November 1997

Freshness

2026-04-09 22:43:41.455717

Geography

North Atlantic Flight Corridor, with primary staging in Bangor, Maine (US) and Shannon, Ireland.