Project Title

Measurement of stratospheric aerosol to altitudes above 35 km in Austral autumn

Summary

Event Number:
O-241-M
NSF/OPP Award 1745008

Program Manager:
Dr. Peter Milne

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Elizabeth Kauffman

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Terry Deshler
deshler@uwyo.edu
University of Colorado Boulder
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Laramie, Wyoming

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station
Research Locations: Ross Ice Shelf

Description

SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IMPORTED Particles in the atmosphere play key roles in controlling the earth's hydrologic, chemical, and radiation balances. In the troposphere, aerosols provide surfaces for cloud formation, for the absorption of trace gas pollutants, and they either warm or cool the earth depending on their optical properties. In the stratosphere, they provide surfaces for the conversion of chlorine from a passive to an active state, which will catalytically destroy ozone, crucial as a filter against damaging UV radiation. Stratospheric aerosols also contribute to increasing the solar albedo, and to the absorption of terrestrial infrared radiation. Particles are self-limiting through the formation of new particles, growth through diffusion, coagulation, condensation of trace gases, and ultimately sedimentation and deposition or capture by clouds.

Field Season Overview

Two team members will deploy in late October 2019 to recover payloads from balloons launched during winter 2019. Quick recovery of the instruments and return to the home institution is essential for refurbishment and return to McMurdo for the winter 2020 launches. A four person team will then deploy to McMurdo Station to launch up to nine balloons between April and June 2020.

Deploying Team Members