Open AccessResearch aircraft helps scientists study troposphere
Author(s) -
Kumar Mohi
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2006eo120004
Subject(s) - troposphere , stratosphere , meteorology , thunderstorm , atmospheric research , environmental science , cruise , altitude (triangle) , atmosphere (unit) , research center , aeronautics , atmospheric sciences , aerospace engineering , geography , engineering , geology , medicine , geometry , mathematics , pathology
A newly developed advanced research aircraft will allow researchers to directly study the atmosphere for extended periods of time at altitudes that approach the troposphere‐stratosphere boundary. The plane, called the High‐performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research (HIAPER),can carry nearly 3000 kilograms of scientific instrumentation, reach an altitude of more than 15,500 meters, and cruise without refueling for over 11,200 kilometers. Owned by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and operated by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colo., HIAPER will be used to collect detailed information on the meteorology of the upper edges of hurricanes and thunderstorms, high‐altitude chemical reactions that are believed to affect climate, and other research concerns.