Mission: MISR Low Cloud mission with ARESE/Cloud IOP coordinated measurements.
Mission Objectives
Make coincident ER-2 and ARESE/Cloud IOP aircraft (Twin Otter, UND Citation) measurements over uniform low level single layer stratus clouds at SGP CART site. Terra overpass (1739 UTC) view angle to CART Central Facility is < 1 degree. Also collect 2 passes of AirMISR line (opposite direction) over clear skies in WI for geolocation correction.
Flight Summary
Take-off was at 1530 UTC. ER-2 landed at 2100 UTC.
ER-2 flew from MSN towards OSH, vectoring towards west before reaching OSH so to save time to get to CART site to meet 1739 UTC Terra overpass. Flew an AirMISR line on west heading towards Mason City IA with some thin cirrus present. Then proceeded to CART, crossing high thick cloud in S. IA/N. MO; got on Terra orbital track line, overflying the CART Central Facility (CF) site (36.607N, 97.488W) at 173910 UTC with low cloud present. Appeared to be patchy 2nd level cloud just above low OVC. Followed with eastbound line over CF and Supplemental Facility (SF2), then with third line aligned along solar plane (about 144 deg heading). Collected AirMISR data segments about 1733-1745, 1758-1810, and1945-1957 UTC. All legs have low cloud, with patchy 2nd level cloud just above low OVC; CF site appears to be predominantly single layer low cloud. Then returned to WI clear line to fly in opposite direction. Some thin cirrus present on this line. Finished by vectoring to NE, then to OSH for descent.
ARESE/Cloud IOP aircraft flew in cloud (in situ) as well as above and below cloud for radiometric measurements.
Highlights
Coincident Terra/ER-2 data at 1739 UTC (<1 deg view angle) at CF. Coincident ER-2 and in situ aircraft measurements. AirMISR star pattern centered on CF with MISR overhead.
Instrument Status