Another Measurement Campaign within the MAGPIE/SHIMMER/SCARAT Project successfully completed.

From November 5 to 22, 2024, PhD student Michał Ciuryło and MSc student Bartosz Cybulski from the Institute of Geophysics, Faculty of Phisics, University of Warsaw, participated in another measurement campaign as part of the MAGPIE/SHIMMER/SCARAT project. This phase of the research was conducted near Monterey Bay, California, continuing measurement campaign initiated last year in Barbados.

The contribution of the Institute of Geophysics included the use of ultra-fast thermometers (UFTs), which were installed on board the CIRPAS DHC-6 Twin-Otter aircraft and at a ground station in the Moss Landing laboratory. The experiment focused on analyzing the oceanic boundary layer and studying the impact of atmospheric turbulence on electromagnetic wave propagation. During the campaign, the aircraft performed precise flights within the oceanic boundary layer, equipped with an infrared wave transmitter. These waves were received by a camera located in the ground-based laboratory. The data collected during this experiment aim to deepen our understanding of atmospheric turbulence mechanisms, particularly their influence on electromagnetic wave propagation. The tasks of our researchers included: installing and maintaining UFT sensors on the aircraft and in the laboratory, ensuring data quality control, assisting in other activities, such as launching radiosondes.

The second phase of the campaign took place from December 4 to 14, 2024. During this time, Michał Ciuryło and Bartosz Cybulski were replaced by Dr. Wojciech Kumala and MSc Stanisław Król. The new team continued the ongoing tasks while introducing modifications, such as installing a second ultra-fast thermometer on the aircraft.

The research conducted within the MAGPIE/SHIMMER/SCARAT project contributes to the advancement of atmospheric turbulence theory and has potential applications in telecommunications and meteorology.

We invite you to follow updates on the next stages of the project and the forthcoming research findings!