FIRE ASTEX MAGE Data Set Document

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to improve the basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between the ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data.

To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13 - November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29 - July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13 - December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1 - June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems.

FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA
FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON

Table of Contents:

1. Data Set Overview:

Data Set Identification:

FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA	First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) Marine Aerosol Gas Exchange (MAGE) NCAR Electra Data (FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA)
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR	First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) Marine Aerosol Gas Exchange (MAGE) Oceanus Sulfur in the Air Data (FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR)
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET	First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) Marine Aerosol Gas Exchange (MAGE) Oceanus Meteorological Data (FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET)
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA	First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) Marine Aerosol Gas Exchange (MAGE) Oceanus Sulfur in the Ocean Data (FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA)
FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON	First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) Marine Aerosol Gas Exchange (MAGE) Tetroon Data (FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON)

Data Set Introduction:

The ASTEX/MAGE experiment is a multinational effort to improve our capability for studying cloud-chemistry interactions and the air/sea fluxes that affect them. The primary purpose of ASTEX (with which MAGE collaborated) was to study the factors influencing the formation and dissipation of marine clouds. The specific goals of the MAGE atmospheric chemistry experiment in ASTEX included:

Develop and test a Lagrangian strategy for studying chemical and meteorological evolution in a tagged airmass, using ships, balloons, and aircraft.
Develop and test new techniques for estimating trace-gas and aerosol fluxes across the air/sea interface by comparison with traditional approaches.
Evaluate the impact of marine and continental aerosols on the formation and dissipation of stratocumulus clouds.
Compare the impacts of natural and anthropogenic sulphur, halogens, and hydrocarbons on marine aerosol chemistry.
Gain experience with multi-national and multi-agency field experiments as a means for addressing global tropospheric chemistry issues.

FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA

FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR

Data were derived directly from ion chromatograms recorded from samples collected on the ship and stored in liquid nitrogen for later analysis. Concentrations were calculated from the standard concentration and the peak height ratio of the standard and ambient isotopomers in the ion chromatograms. Uncertainties were estimated from a propagation of errors calculation which considers estimated error in the standard concentration and signal-to-noise derived error.

FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET

FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA

Data were derived directly from ion chromatograms recorded from the ship and stored in liquid nitrogen for later analysis. Concentrations were calculated from the standard concentrations and the peak height ratio of the standard and ambient isotopomers in the ion chromatograms.

FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON

The North Carolina State University tetroons were launched from the ship Oceanus in support of the FIRE-ASTEX observational program, conducted in the eastern North Atlantic during the month of June 1992. Special constant density balloons were launched and then tracked for 48 hours - with the idea that they were tracking a single parcel of air. The parameter #sats gives the number of GPS satellites available for positioning. Four satellites are necessary to determine altitude, otherwise the last available altitude from four satellites is assumed to remain constant, so that the horizontal location can be triangulated from three satellites. An altitude is always given in the file, so care should be taken as to its use.

Each tetroon attempted to fix its location once every 5 minutes of operation. Each tetroon was given an offset in transmission time during the 5 minute period in which to transmit its location in order to allow all tetroons to broadcast on the same frequency. The time at which a position fix was made and the relevant location information is provided for each tetroon. In the event no fix was possible due to the satellite constellation configuration, number or signal strength, no position was transmitted. Each position was retransmitted at 1/2 hour increments for seven hours to attempt to obtain the maximum amount of data, even for periods when aircraft were not in the area of transmission.

Objective/Purpose:

Summary of Parameters:

Discussion:

Related Data Sets:

2. Investigator(s):

Investigator(s) Name and Title:

Title of Investigation:

Contact Information:

3. Theory of Measurements:

4. Equipment:

Sensor/Instrument Description:

Collection Environment:

Source/Platform:

Source/Platform Mission Objectives:

Key Variables:

Principles of Operation:

Sensor/Instrument Measurement Geometry:

Manufacturer of Sensor/Instrument:

Sensor/Instrument:

FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR	Sulfur Dioxide Concentration
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET	Irradiance Precipitation Pressure Sea Surface Temperature Sea Water Surface Conductivity Temperature Wind Direction Wind Speed
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA	Dimethylsulfide Concentration
FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON	Altitude

Calibration:

Specifications:

Tolerance:

Frequency of Calibration:

Other Calibration Information:

5. Data Acquisition Methods:

Spatial Characteristics:

Spatial Coverage:

Data Set	Min Lat	Max Lat	Min Lon	Max Lon
FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR	30.00	39.00	-25.00	-21.00
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET	00.00	41.25	-25.73	00.00
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA	30.00	39.00	-25.00	-21.00
FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON	30.73	41.02	-24.02	-22.00

Spatial Coverage Map:

Spatial Resolution:

Projection:

Grid Description:

Temporal Characteristics:

Temporal Coverage:

Data Set	Begin Date	End Date
FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR	06-03-1992	06-18-1992
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET	05-26-1992	06-23-1992
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA	05-31-1992	06-20-1992
FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON	06-12-1992	06-19-1992

Temporal Coverage Map:

Temporal Resolution:

Data Characteristics:

Parameter/Variable:

**FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA**
Variable	Units
Start Time	Julian Date
End Time	Julian Date
SO2	PPTV
SO2 Error	PPTV
DMS	PPTV
DMS Error	PPTV
CS2	PPTV
CS2 Error	PPTV

**FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR and FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET and FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA**
Variable	Units
Barometric Pressure	mb
Precipitation	millimiters
Short Wave Radiation (UV)	Watts/sq meter
Wind Direction	Degrees
Wind Speed	m/sec
LRN-Lat	Deg N
LRN-Lon	Deg W
Ship Speed	Knots
Sea Water Surface Conductivity	S/m
Sea Surface Temperature	Deg C

**FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON**
Variable	Units
Balloon	number
Day	day, month, year
Time	hour/min/sec
LatD (whole degrees)	degree
Latitude	dec/min
LonD (whole degrees)	degree
Longitude (decimal/minute)	dec/min
Altitude
GPS Satellite	number

Variable Description/Definition:

FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA      
START TIME,END TIME,SO2,SO2 ERROR,DMS,DMS ERROR,CS2,CS2 ERROR
156.41744,156.41953,-999,-999,-888,12,-888.0,3.2

FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR and FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET and FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA
           W/m^2,deg,m/sec,deg N,deg W,Kts,S/m,C
 92,05,26,02,35,32, 23432,  37.736,  25.659,  63.6,  16.223,  1011.6,    21.0
     -1.8,   140.1,     5.2,  37.736,  25.659,   .0, 74.5100, 17.0740

FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON
              balloon # 2^M
balloon  dd-mm-yy hh:mm:ss    latitude       longitude      altitude    #sats^M
  002    12-06-92 20:25:08   39d 37.74'N    023d 32.70'W    000605 M      3^M

8. Data Organization:

Data Granularity:

A general description of data granularity as it applies to the IMS appears in the EOSDIS Glossary.

Data Format:

9. Data Manipulations:

Formulae:

Derivation Techniques and Algorithms:

Data Processing Sequence:

Processing Steps:

Processing Changes:

Calculations:

Special Corrections/Adjustments:

Calculated Variables:

Data Validation by Source:

Confidence Level/Accuracy Judgement:

Measurement Error for Parameters:

Additional Quality Assessments:

Data Verification by Data Center:

11. Notes:

Limitations of the Data:

Known Problems with the Data:

Usage Guidance:

Any Other Relevant Information about the Study:

12. Application of the Data Set:

13. Future Modifications and Plans:

14. Software:

Software Description:

Sample read software are available for the FIRE_AX_OCN_MET and the FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON data sets.

Software Access:

The software can be obtained through the Langley DAAC. Please refer to the contact information below. The software can also be obtained at the same time the user is ordering these data sets.

15. Data Access:

Contact Information:

Data Center Identification:

Procedures for Obtaining Data:

The Langley DAAC Information Management System (IMS) is an on-line system that features a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows to query the Langley DAAC data set holdings, to view pre-generated browse products, and to order specific data products. Users may also request data by letter, telephone, electronic mail (INTERNET), or personal visit.

The Langley DAAC User and Data Services (SUDS) staff provides technical and operational support for users ordering data. The Langley DAAC Handbook is available in a postscript file through the IMS for users who want detailed information about the Langley DAAC holdings. Users may also obtain a copy by contacting:

Langley DAAC User and Data Services Office
NASA Langley Research Center
Mail Stop 157D
Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199
USA
Telephone: (757) 864-8656
FAX: (757) 864-8807

E-mail: larc@eos.nasa.gov
URL: http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov

Data Center Status/Plans:

The Langley DAAC will continue to archive this data. There are no plans to reprocess.

16. Output Products and Availability:

17. References:

18. Glossary of Terms:

19. List of Acronyms:

20. Document Information:

Document Revision Date:: October 07, 1996; May 28, 1997; November 24, 1997
Document Review Date:: October 07, 1996
Document ID:: ...
Citation:: ...
Document Curator:: Langley DAAC User and Data Services Office
Telephone: (757) 864-8656
FAX: (757) 864-8807
E-mail: larc@eos.nasa.gov
Document URL:: http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/GUIDE/dataset_documents/base_fire_ax_mage_dataset.html

FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR	GC-MS
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET	ANEMOMETER BAROMETER CTD RECORDER PYRANOMETER PYRGEOMETER RAIN GUAGE THERMISTER THERMOMETER
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA	GC-MS
FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON	RADIO TRANSMITTER

FIRE_AX_MAGE_ELECTRA
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_AIR	SHIP
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_MET	SHIP
FIRE_AX_MAGE_OCN_SEA	SHIP
FIRE_AX_MAGE_TETROON	CON. DENSITY BALLOON