The Stratosphere-Troposphere Analyses of Regional Transport (START08) experiment was developed by the NCAR UTLS initiative in collaboration with colleagues from several universities. Using the NSF/NCAR Gulfstream V, also known as HIAPER, the project will study the chemical, microphysical, and transport characteristics of the extratropical upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric (ExUTLS) region. The objective of the experiment is to use in situ chemical, microphysical, and dynamical measurements, satellite data, and models to better understand and characterize the transport pathways in the extratropical tropopause region. The experiment is motivated by the need to provide effective observational constraints for the new generation of chemistry-climate models. The co- principal investigators of the experiment are Elliot Atlas (University of Miami), Kenneth Bowman (Texas A&M University) and Laura Pan (NCAR). The flights will be based out of Broomfield, CO and will have two field phases: 21 April to 16 May and 16 to 28 June, 2008.
The HIAPER Pole-to-Pole Observations (HIPPO) of Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Gases experiment will measure transects of atmospheric constituent concentrations nearly from pole to pole, and from the surface to the tropopause, 4-6 times during different seasons over a 2.5 to 3-year period. A comprehensive suite of tracers of the carbon cycle and related species will be measured. The PI is Steve Wofsy from Harvard University. In this first phase, PreHIPPO, flights will be based out of Colorado.
START08 and PreHIPPO will have a joint payload and operation in Spring 2008. During this workshop, the investigators will provide an overview of the scientific issues the experiments planned to address. Related modeling and satellite data analyses will be discussed. Planning for forecast and flight operations will also be part of the workshop. We invite the community’s participation and scientific involvement in the project.
For more information, contact Laura Pan (liwen
, 303-497-1467).