Learjet Investigations of the Microphysics of Maritime Tropical Cumulus Clouds in the Ice Crystal Experiment - Tropical (ICE-T)

这项工作将支持SPEC，Inc.的参与。2011年7月，在“热带云中冰实验”（ICE-T）的实地阶段，科学家们为安装了仪器的李尔-25飞机和科学支持人员提供了技术支持。 Lear-25将补充先前支持的NSF/NCAR（国家大气研究中心）C-130研究飞机，提供一个高度灵活的平台，能够在陡峭的倾斜转弯期间快速爬升，这将允许快速连续（每1至2分钟）穿透温度为-5至-10摄氏度的关键云层区域。 正是在这一区域，预计将出现暖雨和初冰过程的组合。 这将使C-130飞机能够专注于云和云下区域较低/较暖区域的测量，在那里它将记录云凝结核，冰核和液滴光谱测量，并收集包含Lear-25操作区域的向上观察雷达和激光雷达数据。 这些合作平台的互补性将大大增加实现ICE-T科学目标的可能性。 Learjet带来了最先进的云微物理探测器，包括一个新的3V-CPI仪器，它结合了2D-S（立体）和云粒子成像仪（CPI）的最佳功能。 3V-CPI特别适合于检测大的（即， 50微米）的水滴，这标志着暖雨过程的开始，以及探测到第一个冰，这标志着云冰川的开始。这项工作的智力价值集中在增加对海洋云内冰的形成及其对降水形成，潜热释放和云动力学，粒子清除和化学过程，电荷分离，水蒸气含量和飞机结冰的可能性。 更广泛的影响将包括与波多黎各大学（UPR）的教师和学生的互动，SPEC的科学家计划参加小型会议，以及与该领域的一部分学生的潜在互动。 预计通过ICE-T支持的分析最终将提高地球水文和气候系统的预测能力。

This effort will support participation of the SPEC, Inc. instrumented Lear-25 aircraft and scientific support staff during the Ice in Clouds Experiment - Tropical (ICE-T), whose field phase is scheduled to occur during July 2011. The Lear-25 will complement the previously supported NSF/NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) C-130 research aircraft by providing a highly agile platform capable of rapid climb rates during steep banking turns that will allow the rapid successive (every 1 to 2 min) penetrations of the key cloud region characterized by temperatures of -5 to -10 degC. It is in this zone where a combination of warm-rain and first-ice processes are anticipated to develop. This will in-turn allow the C-130 aircraft to concentrate on measurements in lower/warmer regions of the cloud and subcloud region, where it will document cloud condensation nuclei, ice nuclei and drop spectra measurements as well as collect upward-looking radar and lidar data encompassing the zone of Lear-25 operations. The complementary nature of these cooperating platforms will significantly increase the probability of achieving ICE-T scientific goals. The Learjet brings with it state-of-the-art cloud microphysics probes, including a new 3V-CPI instrument that combines the best features of the 2D-S (stereo) and cloud particle imager (CPI). The 3V-CPI is particularly well suited to detection of large (i.e., 50 micron) drops that signify initiation of the warm rain process, as well as detection of first ice, which signifies the initiation of cloud glaciation.The intellectual merit of this effort centers on increased understanding of ice initiation within growing maritime clouds and in turn its impact on precipitation formation, latent heat release and cloud dynamics, particle scavenging and chemical processes, electrical charge separation, water vapor content, and aircraft icing potential. Broader impacts will include interface with faculty and students at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), where SPEC scientists plan to participate in the mini-conference, and potential interactions with a subset of these students in the field. Analyses supported through ICE-T are ultimately expected to enhance predictive capability of Earth's hydrological and climate systems.