A Direct Measurement of the Atmospheric Production Rate of Radiocarbon

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This project will make direct measurements of the production rate of radiocarbon in the atmosphere by exposing a known amount radiocarbon free air to atmospheric radiation at a known altitude (near 16 km), latitude, and longitude using a balloon platform. This is the first time that the production rate will be directly measured in the atmosphere near the level of maximum production. The measured rate will be compared directly with those previously calculated by extrapolation from thermal neutron measurements. An accurate measurement of the production rate is needed for using radiocarbon as a tracer of global hydroxyl radical distribution, and for developing a better understanding of the global carbon cycle.