AIRS

Frequently Asked Questions


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Q.  Do you have images of the carbon dioxide distribution in the mid-
troposphere at different time periods in the 30,000-40,000 ft region
where jet planes fly?  

A.  The AIRS retrieved CO2 is still a research product, and so does not
appear yet in our standard product data files. We have papers submitted
to journals now and must refrain from publishing our research in any
other media until the journal papers come out (the journals embargo the
results).

I can tell you that our retrievals do have sensitivity in that
altitude range. However, our geospatial resolution is 100x100 km, so
the wakes of the commercial jets are too small to show. We see
variability that is not captured by any of the general circulation and
chemical transport models, and that will appear in print within the
next few months.

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