Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/B50429X/1
Airborne measurements of the FIR radiative properties of clear-skies and cirrus clouds on the FAAM BAe 146.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor JC Pickering, Imperial College London, Physics
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr H Brindley, Imperial College London, Physics
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor JE Harries, Imperial College London, Physics
- Grant held at:
- Imperial College London, Physics
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Atmospheric
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- Water In The Atmosphere
- Radiative Processes & Effects
- Upper Atmos Process & Geospace
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- Much effort has gone into modelling studies investigating predictions of climate change. Climate change occurs if the balance between heating (energy from the sun) and cooling (emission to space in the infrared) is disturbed. The processes involved in heating and cooling are controlled by a wide range of interactions. In order to be reliable and meaningful, models simulating the atmosphere and climate should be based on real observations, and this is the case in the near-IR and visible range of the spectrum. Until recently there were no measurements in the far-IR which has been found to be crucial to the understanding of emission processes in the atmosphere, as a significant proportion of energy is emitted from the earth to space in this spectral region. The role of clouds and their interaction with the radiation field in the far infrared needs urgent study; particularly important are cold, high cirrus clouds and their emission, and these are notoriously difficult to simulate. The Imperial College TAFTS (Tropospheric Airborne Fourier Transform Spectrometer) instrument is the first successfully to record spectra in the far infrared onboard an aircraft, providing much needed real observations. We are proposing to take part in the EAQUATE campaign flights with the new Met Office BAe146 FAAM (Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements), specifically to look at clear and cloudy sky in the UK. The spectra, in conjunction with in-situ microphysics will enable studies of cirrus cloud scattering in the infra red to be undertaken. These will allow a validation of current cirrus models to be carried out, which are currently not based on any real observational data in the far-IR. This is expected to have a significant impact on reliability of models of climate change and understanding of radiative transfer in the Earth's atmosphere.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/B50429X/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £118,807
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs | Total - Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £67,318 | £5,286 | £2,380 | £30,966 | £12,856 |
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