NOAA AirCore Atmospheric Sampling System Profiles

Authors:
Bianca Baier¹, Colm Sweeney¹, Tim Newberger^1,2, Jack Higgs¹, Sonja Wolter^1,2

¹NOAA/Global Monitoring Laboratory
²University of Colorado/CIRES

Data Description:

This historical dataset contains NOAA balloon-borne AirCore profiles, including mole fractions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and carbon monoxide (CO). The dataset spans from 2012 to present day and includes profiles from various locations:

• Boulder, CO, USA
• Lamont, OK, USA
• Lauder, New Zealand
• Sodankylã, Finland
• Park Falls, WI, USA
• Edwards AFB/Dryden, CA, USA
• Traînou, France
• Broken Hill, NSW, AUS

The NOAA AirCore data are carefully calibrated and documented within NOAA’s Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network. They serve as a comparison with measurements from other laboratories and regional studies, providing routine measurements of trace gases in the stratosphere. Data are equally critical for trace gas retrieval evaluation from remote sensing technologies.

Available files include both Level 1 and Level 2 data, as well as an important README file containing detailed information on variables and updates. Launch dates are indicated for each file, representing the air sample collection date.

Level 1 data include:

• Initial files, AC[launchyyyymmddHHMM]_[AirCoreID]_py_ini.csv
• Meteorological files, AC[launchyyyymmddHHMM]_[AirCoreID]_py_final_met.csv
• Mole fraction files, AC[launchyyyymmddHHMM]_[AirCoreID]_py_pic.csv

Level 2 data are organized by flight [Flight_yyyymmdd]/[launch#] and contain:

• Initial files, AC[launchyyyymmddHHMM]_[AirCoreID]_py_ini.csv
• Final output text file, AirCore[AirCoreID]_[launchyyyymmddHHMM]_v[yyyymmdd].txt
• Final output text file, AC_[AirCoreID]_[launchyyyymmddHHMM]_[Revision#]

Please note that this version of AirCore data contains preliminary meteorological data and should be used with caution. Contact the PI for more information.

More information about the AirCore system can be found here.