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At least 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

Physical and optical properties of the Pinatubo volcanic aerosol: Aircraft observations with impactors and a Sun-tracking photometer

As determined in situ by impactor samplers flown on an ER-2 at 16.5- to 20.7-km pressure altitude and on a DC-8 at 9.5- to 12.6-km pressure altitudes, the 1991 Pinatubo volcanic eruption increased the particle surface area of stratospheric aerosols up to 50-fold and the particle volume up to 2 orders of magnitude. Particle composition was typical of a sulfuric acid-water mixture at ER-2 altitudes. Ash particles coated with sulfuric acid comprised a significant fraction of aerosol at DC-8 altitudes. Mie-computed light extinction increased up to 20-fold at midvisible and greater than 100-fold at near-IR wavelengths. The optical thickness measured through the aerosol layer by an autotracking Sun photometer aboard a DC-8 aircraft at 10.7- to 11.3-km pressure altitudes shows a spectral shape that is similar to the Mie-calculated spectral extinction at ER-2 altitudes. Surface area distributions calculated by inversion of spectral optical depth measurements show characteristics that are similar to the mean surface area distribution resulting from 35 in situ measurements.

Pueschel, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The use of stellite scatterometer winds to drive a primitive equation model of the Indian Ocean: The impact of bandlike sampling

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the bandlike sampling of spaceborne scatterometers on the ability of scatterometer winds to successfully force the mean flow and seasonal cycle of an ocean model in the context of equatorial and tropical dynamics. The equatorial ocean is simulated with a four-layer, primitive equation, reduced gravity model of the Indian Ocean. The variable wind stress used in this study is derived from one year (1988) of 6-hour analyses of the 10-m wind vector over the Indian Ocean performed at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). It is applied as a forcing at every grid point of the model to drive a reference circulation. Scatterometer winds are simulated from ECMWF winds, using the nominal configurations and orbital parameters of the European Remote Sensing 1 (ERS-1) and NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT) missions. The model is forced in real time under swaths with the raw scatterometer winds of ERS-1 and NSCAT, with a persistence condition (i.e., the wind is kept constsnt until the next passage of the satellite provides a new value). The circulation obtained for each of the scatterometer experiments is compared with the reference circulation. The seasonal circulation of the Indian Ocean with NSCAT winds is very similar to the reference. The perturbations introduced by the bandlike sampling and the persistance condition have an impact similar to that of a small uncorrelated noise added to the reference forcing. The persistence condition for ERS-1 does not give results which are as good as those obtained for NSCAT.

Barnier, Bernard↗
NASA NTRS1995

Satellite Telemetry and Return Link (STARLink)

The High Altitude Missions Branch of NASA's Ames Research Center has been pursuing methods and communication architectures to decrease processing time and shorten the dissemination paths of the data from scientific experiments on board the high altitude ER-2 aircraft. The Satellite Telemetry and Return Link (STARLink) is an innovative approach for providing real-time data from existing experiments and allows for highly interactive future experiment systems on the ER-2. The concept involves placing an advanced wideband data link system on the ER-2 (and future NASA aircraft) for communicating to the NASA Tracking Data and Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) and its designated ground station. The emphasis is on providing full duplex real-time data between the ground station hub (and its remote nodes) and the on board experiments, allowing real-time processing and alteration to the experiments. This paper defines the concept, goals, multiplexing and data transmission system architecture, current capabilities, and future plans of the STARLink and its ability to provide a distributed interactive gateway node between the aircraft and various scientific centers worldwide.

Andrew Roberts↗
NASA NTRS1995

Freezing Behavior of Stratospheric Sulfate Aerosols Inferred from Trajectory Studies

Based on the trajectory analysis presented in this paper, a new mechanism is described for the freezing of the stratospheric sulfate aerosols. Temperature histories based on 10-day back trajectories for six ER-2 flights during AASE-I (1989) and AAOE (1987) are presented. The mechanism requires, as an initial step, the cooling of a H2SO4/H2O aerosol to low temperatures. If a cooling cycle is then followed up by a warming to approximately 196-198 K, the aerosols may freeze due to the growth of the crystallizing embryos formed at the colder temperature. The HNO3 absorbed at colder temperatures may increase the nucleation rate of the crystalling embryos and therefore influence the crystallization of the supercooled aerosols upon warming. Of all the ER-2 flights described, only the polar stratospheric clouds (PSC), observed on the flights of January 24, and 25, 1989 are consistent with the thermodynamics of liquid ternary solutions of H2SO4/HNO3/H2O (type Ib PSCs). For those two days, back trajectories indicate that the air mass was exposed to sulfuric acid tetrahydrate (SAT) melting temperatures about 24 hours prior to being sampled by the ER-2. Temperature histories, recent laboratory measurements, and the properties of glassy solids suggest that stratospheric H2SO4 aerosols may undergo a phase transition to SAT upon warming at approximately 198 K after going through a cooling cycle to about 194 K or lower.

Tabazadeh, A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

The Development of the Joint NASA GSFC and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) Geopotential Model EGM96

The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), and The Ohio State University (OSU) have collaborated to develop an improved spherical harmonic model of the Earth's gravitational potential to degree 360. The new model, Earth Gravitational Model 1996 (EGM96), incorporates improved surface gravity data, altimeter-derived gravity anomalies from ERS-1 and from the GEOSAT Geodetic Mission (GM), extensive satellite tracking data-including new data from Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), the Global Postioning System (GPS), NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), the French DORIS system, and the US Navy TRANET Doppler tracking system-as well as direct altimeter ranges from TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P), ERS-1, and GEOSAT. The final solution blends a low-degree combination model to degree 70, a block-diagonal solution from degree 71 to 359, and a quadrature solution at degree 360. The model was used to compute geoid undulations accurate to better than one meter (with the exception of areas void of dense and accurate surface gravity data) and realize WGS84 as a true three-dimensional reference system. Additional results from the EGM96 solution include models of the dynamic ocean topography to degree 20 from T/P and ERS-1 together, and GEOSAT separately, and improved orbit determination for Earth-orbiting satellites.

Lemoine, F. G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Airborne Measurements of Cirrus Reflectance and Heights with Comparison to Polder Observations

The NASA ER-2 high altitude aircraft cloud observation experiment includes visible, infrared and microwave radiometric imaging of cloud tops and combined lidar profiling of cloud tops. A special instrument is the Tilt Scan CCD Camera (TSCC) for measurements of cloud top multidirectional reflectance and polarization. Data have been acquired on the bi-directional reflectance of cirrus in the FIRE, TOGA/COARE, SUCCESS and WINCE cloud observation experiments. The FIRE, TOGA/COARE and SUCCESS observations include some cases of combined in situ crystal measurements and in all measurements, multispectral visible/IR cirrus microphysics retrievals are possible. The results for bi-directional reflectance for mid-latitude cirrus in the FIRE and SUCCESS missions are consistent with models for complex, multi-type crystal structure. These may be contrasted with tropical cirrus observation for which results are more typical of simple crystal structure. The cirrus multidirectional results may be compared and contrasted with those available from POLDER. In addition, during the WINCE experiment of January 1997 there were several targeted ER-2 for cloud observation underflights of POLDER on ADEOS, Comparison of direct cloud height measurement and multispectral radiometer analysis from ER-2 data with POLDER results are made.

Spinhirne, James↗
NASA NTRS1998

Analysis of Daily, Seasonal, and Interannual Changes in Hofsjokull Ice Cap, Iceland, using Satellite Data

Analysis of a time series of European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS)-1 and -2, RADARSAT ScanSAR synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and Landsat images from 1973 to 1998, shows daily to interannual changes in Hofsjokull, a 923 sq km ice cap in central Iceland. A digital elevation model of Hofsjokull was constructed using interferometry, and then SAR backscatter coefficient (d) was plotted with elevation, and air temperature along a transect across the ice cap. Most of the a' changes measured along the transect are caused by a change in the state (frozen or thawed) of the surficial snow or ice when air temperature rises above or below about -5 to O C. Seasonal (sigma)deg patterns are identified in a 4-year time series of 57 ERS-1 and -2 images. In addition, June 1997 ScanSAR images display rapid changes in brightness that are tied closely to daily meteorological events. SAR and Landsat data were also used to measure changes in the areal extent of Hofsjokull, from 1973 to 1997, and to locate (sigma)deg and reflectance boundaries that relate to the glacier facies. Late-summer 1997 (sigma)deg and reflectance boundaries agree and are coincident with the approximate location of the fim line, and the January 1998 position of the equilibrium line as determined from ERS-2 data.

Hall, D. K.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Mesoscale Variability in SUCCESS Data

Analysis of meteorological, chemical, and microphysical data from the airborne SUCCESS mission is reported. Careful analysis of the complex DC-8 flight pattern of May 2, 1996 reveals 19 linear or nearly linear flight segments within six main geographical areas, which we have analyzed. Significant mountain wave activity is revealed in the data from the MMS and MTP instruments on the DC-8, which resembles previous observations of mountain wave structures near Boulder, CO. Strong mountain-wave-induced upwelling downwind of the Rockies is noted. Turbulence is also noted in regions of the mountain wave consistent with overturning near the tropopause. Zonal winds recorded on the ER-2 are shown to consistent with mountain wave breaking at or near critical levels in the stratosphere, consistent with the strong turbulence reported by the pilot during the ER-2 flight. Those observations have been supported with spectral analyses and modeling studies. "Postcasts" of mountain wave activity on May 2, 1996, using the Naval Research Laboratory Mountain Wave Forecast Model (NRL/MWFM) predicts both strong mountain wave activity near the tropopause (as measured by the DC-8) and strong mountain-wave-induced turbulence in the stratosphere (as encountered by the ER-2). Two-dimensional simulations of fluid flow over topography reveal similar isentropic structures to observations.

Eckermann, Stephen D.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Interferometric estimation of ice sheet motion and topography

With ERS-1/2 satellite radar interferometry, it is possible to make measurements of glacier motion with high accuracy and fine spatial resolution. Interferometric techniques were applied to map velocity and topography for several outlet glaciers in Greenland. For the Humboldt and Petermann glaciers, data from several adjacent tracks were combined to make a wide-area map that includes the enhanced flow regions of both glaciers. The discharge flux of the Petermann glacier upstream of the grounding line was estimated, thereby establishing the potential use of ERS-1/2 interferometric data for monitoring ice-sheet discharge. Interferograms collected along a single track are sensitive to only one component of motion. By utilizing data from ascending and descending passes and by making a surface-parallel flow assumption, it is possible to measure the full three-dimensional vector flow field. The application of this technique for an area on the Ryder glacier is demonstrated. Finally, ERS-1/2 interferograms were used to observe a mini-surge on the Ryder glacier that occurred in autumn of 1995.

Joughlin, Ian↗
NASA NTRS1997

Interferometric Study of the Ice Stream in Interior Northeast Greenland

Initial work in Greenland with ERS-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery led to the discovery of a large ice stream which carries much of the ice discharge from the northeast quadrant of the ice sheet. The ice stream was identified based on the morphology of the surface, which indicated the influence of localized rapid ice flow. Continued investigations using repeat-pass interferometry from ERS-1 and ERS-2 allowed the character of the rapid motion to be determined, mapping the onset region in the deep interior of the ice sheet as well as more rapid motion downstream. Markers were placed on the ice sheet and are being tracked with the global positioning system (GPS) survey to provide tie-points for the interferometry, which will allow the absolute velocities to be determined in this very remote area.

Fahnestock, Mark↗
NASA NTRS2000

Dry Air Entrainment into Hurricane Earl

Hurricane Earl formed in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1998. It quickly was upgraded from a tropical disturbance to tropical storm status and then to a hurricane. Earl possessed hybrid (tropical and extratropical) characteristics throughout its lifetime. The system maintained and erratic track, which led to wide variability in the operational track forecasts. It eventually made landfall on the Florida panhandle on 2 September and raced northeastward. During August and September 1998, NASA conducted the third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3). The experiment was focused on studying hurricanes with an emphasis toward developing a better understanding of their intensification and motion. Earl provides a unique opportunity to utilize high spatial and temporal resolution data collected from the DC-8 and high altitude ER-2 NASA platforms, which flew over Earl as it made landfall. These data can also be put into broader view provided by other instruments from the Geosychronous Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellites. Hurricane Earl was affected by entrainment of dry air from the northwest. Hurricane Isis was intensifying and approaching the Mexican Pacific coast with its associated outflow potentially affecting the inflow into Earl as the storm neared Florida. In addition, a longwave synoptic trough circulation was present over the eastern U.S. Either or both of these could be responsible for the dry air into the system. This paper will focus on identifying the source of the dry by using upper-level wind and moisture fields derived from the GOES 6.7 um water vapor imagery. We will attempt to relate the large-scale observations to those from the NASA aircraft. An infrared instrument onboard the ER-2 also has a similar wavelength and may be able to confirm some of the GOES findings. In addition, a microwave radiometer with 4 channels focused on measuring precipitation and its associated ice scattering was also aboard the ER-2. The microwave observations will allow the authors to relate the entrainment to precipitation changes near the flight path of the aircraft.

Guillory, Anthony R.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Entrainment of Upper Level Dry Air Into Hurricane Earl

Hurricane Earl formed in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1998. It quickly was upgraded from a tropical disturbance to tropical storm status and then to a hurricane. Earl possessed hybrid (tropical and extratropical) characteristics throughout its lifetime. The system maintained and erratic track, which led to wide variability in the operational track forecasts. It eventually made landfall on the Florida panhandle on 2 September and raced northeastward. During August and September 1998, NASA conducted the third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3). The experiment was focused on studying hurricanes with an emphasis toward developing a better understanding of their intensification and motion. Earl provides a unique opportunity to utilize high spatial and temporal resolution data collected from the DC-8 and high altitude ER-2 NASA platforms, which flew over Earl as it made landfall. These data can also be put into broader view provided by other instruments from the Geosynchronous Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellites. Hurricane Earl was affected by entrainment of dry air from the northwest. Hurricane Isis was intensifying and approaching the Mexican Pacific coast with its associated outflow potentially affecting the inflow into Earl as the storm neared Florida. In addition, a longwave synoptic trough circulation was present over the eastern U.S. Either or both of these could be responsible for the dry air into the system. This paper will focus on identifying the source of the dry by using upper-level wind and moisture fields derived from the GOES 6.7 um water vapor imagery. We will attempt to relate the large-scale observations to those from the NASA aircraft. An infrared instrument onboard the ER-2 also has a similar wavelength and may be able to confirm some of the GOES findings. In addition, a microwave radiometer with 4 channels focused on measuring precipitation and its associated ice scattering was also aboard the ER-2. The microwave observations will allow the authors to relate the entrainment to precipitation changes near the flight path of the aircraft.

Guillory, Anthony R.↗
NASA NTRS1998

1.54 micron Emission from Erbium implanted GaN for Photonic Applications

The development of efficient and compact light sources operating at 1.54 micron is of enormous importance for the advancement of new optical communication systems. Erbium (1%) doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA's) or semiconductor lasers are currently being employed as near infrared light sources. Both devices, however, have inherent limitations due to their mode of operation. EDFA's employ an elaborate optical pumping scheme, whereas diode lasers have a strongly temperature dependent lasing wavelength. Novel light emitters based on erbium doped III-V semiconductors could overcome these limitations. Er doped semiconductors combine the convenience of electrical excitation with the excellent luminescence properties of Er(3+) ions. Electrically pumped, compact, and temperature stable optoelectronic devices are envisioned from this new class of luminescent materials. In this paper we discuss the potential of Er doped GaN for optoelectronic applications based on temperature dependent photoluminescence excitation studies.

Thaik, Myo↗
NASA NTRS1994

Rare Earth Garnet Selective Emitter

Thin film Ho-YAG and Er-YAG emitters with a platinum substrate exhibit high spectral emittance in the emission band (epsilon(sub lambda) approx. = 0.75, sup 4)|(sub 15/2) - (sup 4)|(sub 13/2),for Er-YAG and epsilon(sub lambda) approx. = 0.65, (sup 5)|(sub 7) - (sup 5)|(sub 8) for Ho-YAG) at 1500 K. In addition, low out-of-band spectral emittance, epsilon(sub lambda) less than 0.2, suggest these materials would be excellent candidates for high efficiency selective emitters in thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems operating at moderate temperatures (1200-1500 K). Spectral emittance measurements of the thin films were made (1.2 less than lambda less than 3.0 microns) and compared to the theoretical emittances calculated using measured values of the spectral extinction coefficient. In this paper we present the results for a new class of rare earth ion selective emitters. These emitters are thin sections (less than 1 mm) of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) single crystal with a rare earth substitutional impurity. Selective emitters in the near IR are of special interest for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion. The most promising solid selective emitters for use in a TPV system are rare earth oxides. Early spectral emittance work on rare earth oxides showed strong emission bands in the infrared (0.9 - 3 microns). However, the emittance outside the emission band was also significant and the efficiency of these emitters was low. Recent improvements in efficiency have been made with emitters fabricated from fine (5 - 10 microns) rare earth oxide fibers similar to the Welsbach mantle used in gas lanterns. However, the rare earth garnet emitters are more rugged than the mantle type emitters. A thin film selective emitter on a low emissivity substrate such as gold, platinum etc., is rugged and easily adapted to a wide variety of thermal sources. The garnet structure and its many subgroups have been successfully used as hosts for rare earth ions, introduced as substitutional impurities, in the development of solid state laser crystals. Doping, dependent on the particular ion and crystal structure, may be as high as 100 at. % (complete substitution of yttrium ion with the rare earth ion). These materials have high melting points, 1940 C for YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet), and low emissivity in the near infrared making them excellent candidates for a thin film selective emitter. As previously stated, the spectral emittance of a rare earth emitter is characterized by one or more well defined emission bands. Outside the emission band the emittance(absorptance) is much lower. Therefore, it is expected that emission outside the band for a thin film selective emitter will be dominated by the emitter substrate. For an efficient emitter (power in the emission band/total emitted power) the substrate must have low emittance, epsilon(sub S). This paper presents normal spectral emittance, epsilon(sub lambda), measurements of holmium(Ho) and erbium (Er) doped YAG thin film selective emitters at (1500 K), and compares those results with the theoretical spectral emittance.

Lowe, Roland A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Inflight Validation of AVIRIS Calibration in 1996 and 1997

The Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) measures spectral radiance in the solar reflected spectrum from 400 to 2500 nm. Spectra are measured through 224 spectral channels with nominally 10-nm sampling and 10-nm full width at half maximum (FWHM). From a NASA ER-2 aircraft flying at 20,000 m altitude, these spectra are acquired as images with an 11-km width by up to 800-km length. The spatial sampling is 17 m, and the instantaneous field of view (IFOV) 20 m. The objective of AVIRIS is to acquire calibrated spectra that are used to derive properties of the Earth's land, water, and atmosphere for scientific research and environmental applications. To achieve this objective, the AVIRIS spectra must be calibrated. The AVIRIS sensor is calibrated in the laboratory before and after each flight season, however, the spectra acquired by AVIRIS for science investigators are acquired in the Q-bay of the ER-2 at 20 km altitude. The objective of the AVIRIS inflight calibration experiment is to validate the calibration of AVIRIS spectral images in the low pressure, low temperature operating environment of the ER-2. Inflight calibration experiments have been orchestrated for AVIRIS in every year of flight operations.

Green, Robert O.↗
NASA NTRS2000

GFO-1 Geophysical Data Record and Orbit Verifications for Global Change Studies

This final report summarizes the research work conducted under NASA's Physical Oceanography Program, entitled, GFO-1 Geophysical Data Record And Orbit Verifications For Global Change Studies, for the investigation time period from December 1, 1997 through November 30, 2000. The primary objectives of the investigation include providing verification and improvement for the precise orbit, media, geophysical, and instrument corrections to accurately reduce U.S. Navy's Geosat-Followon-1 (GFO-1) mission radar altimeter data to sea level measurements. The status of the GFO satellite (instrument and spacecraft operations, orbital tracking and altimeter) is summarized. GFO spacecraft has been accepted by the Navy from Ball Aerospace and has been declared operational since November, 2000. We have participated in four official GFO calibration/validation periods (Cal/Val I-IV), spanning from June 1999 through October 2000. Results of verification of the GFO orbit and geophysical data record measurements both from NOAA (IGDR) and from the Navy (NGDR) are reported. Our preliminary results indicate that: (1) the precise orbit (GSFC and OSU) can be determined to approx. 5 - 6 cm rms radially using SLR and altimeter crossovers; (2) estimated GFO MOE (GSFC or NRL) radial orbit accuracy is approx. 7 - 30 cm and Operational Doppler orbit accuracy is approx. 60 - 350 cm. After bias and tilt adjustment (1000 km arc), estimated Doppler orbit accuracy is approx. 1.2 - 6.5 cm rms and the MOE accuracy is approx. 1.0 - 2.3 cm; (3) the geophysical and media corrections have been validated versus in situ measurements and measurements from other operating altimeters (T/P and ERS-2). Altimeter time bias is insignificant with 0-2 ms. Sea state bias is about approx. 3 - 4.5% of SWH. Wet troposphere correction has approx. 1 cm bias and approx. 3 cm rms when compared with ERS-2 data. Use of GIM and IRI95 provide ionosphere correction accurate to 2-3 cm rms during medium to high solar activities; (4) the noise of the GFO altimeter data (uncorrected SSH) is about 15 mm, compared to 19 min for ERS-2, and 12 min for TOPEX. It is anticipated that the operational GFO-1 altimeter data will contribute to a number of researches in physical oceanography. A list of relevant presentations and publications is attached.

Shum, C. K.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Vertical Structure of Stratiform Rain During TEFLUN-B and TRMM-LBA as Derived From an Airborne Radar Perspective

The NASA aircraft instrumented with airborne radars overflew a number of stratiform rain systems during the Texas and Florida Underflights Experiment-B TEFLUN-B) and TRMM-LBA (LBA). TEFLUN-B was conducted near Melbourne Florida during late Summer 1998 for validation of the TRMM satellite. LBA was conducted in Rondonia, Brazil in the Amazon region. Key in these campaigns were the ER-2 and DC-8 aircraft, as well as extensive ground-validation networks including the NCAR S-band (S-POL) polarization radar and University of North Dakota Citation II in situ microphysics measurements. This paper compares the vertical structure of precipitation and vertical motions for four cases: 5 September 1998 and 13 August 1998 during TEFLUN-B and 17 February 1999 and 21 February 1999 during LBA. Both these stratiform systems were within close range of the S-POL radar, and were sampled with downlooking radars and radiometers on the ER-2 (and DC-8 during LBA). Emphasis in the paper is on statistics of the vertical hydrometeor profiles, and their relation to the vertical velocity structure deduced from the ER-2 Doppler Radar (EDOP) measurements. These profiles are used to identify whether growth regions exist as would be expected with mesoscale updrafts often associated with stratiform regions. Finally, rain rates in the stratiform rain derived from EDOP and S-POL are compared.

Heymsfield, Gerald M.↗
NASA NTRS2000

An Examination of the Inorganic Chlorine Budget in the Lower Stratosphere

We use the first simultaneous in situ measurements of ClONO2, ClO, and HCl acquired using the NASA ER-2 aircraft during the Photochemistry of Ozone Loss in the Arctic Region in Summer (POLARIS) mission to test whether these three compounds quantitatively account for total inorganic chlorine (Cly) in the lower stratosphere in 1997. We find (ClO + ClONO2 + HCl)/Cly = 0.92 +/- 0.10, where Cly is inferred from in situ measurements of organic chlorine source gases. These observations are consistent with our current understanding of the budget and partitioning of Cly in the lower stratosphere. We find no evidence in support of missing inorganic chlorine species that compose a significant fraction of Cly. We apply the analysis to earlier ER-2 observations dating from 1991 to investigate possible causes of previously observed discrepancies in the inorganic chlorine budget. Using space shuttle, satellite, balloon, and aircraft measurements in combination with ER-2 data, we find that the discrepancy is unlikely to have been caused by missing chlorine species or an error in the photolysis rate of chlorine nitrate. We also find that HCl/Cly is not significantly controlled by aerosol surface area density in the lower stratosphere.

Bonne, G. P.↗