The Absolute Radiance Interferometer is an instrument developed by SSEC scientists and engineers that is capable of measuring infrared radiation in Earth’s atmosphere to a high-degree of accuracy. Roughly the size of a small freezer, the ARI is designed to be flight ready for future satellite missions.

A ground-based instrument developed by SSEC, the Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) measures temperature, water vapor, and trace gases in the boundary layer.

SSEC, in collaboration with other departments on campus, maintains a Reliable Automated Instrumentation Network (RAIN) for research purposes. On the AOSS building rooftop, instruments measure atmospheric parameters, while North, South, East, and West facing cameras record weather events. A buoy on Lake Mendota monitors lake quality and weather conditions.

The SSEC Portable Atmospheric Research Center (SPARC) is a vehicle outfitted with a suite of instruments to make ground-based measurements used for studying the atmosphere during field campaigns across the country. The SPARC is part of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education (FARE) Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF) program.

Designed and built at SSEC, the Scanning High-resolution Interferometer Sounder (S-HIS) measures temperature and water vapor profiles. Data gathered in field experiments is used to advance our understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere, support calibration and validation of current satellite sensors, and help to develop future weather satellite sounders.