MAMM September 2013 Wrap Up
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Sep 25th, 2013 Comments
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Sep 25th, 2013 Comments
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Sep 24th, 2013 Comments
This episode is all about the different "scales" of methane measurements made during MAMM. Whilst the aircraft samples the whole European Arctic region, close-up, small-scale sampling of the wetlands is also done to understand how methane emissions vary within short distances, and how they are linked to vegetation types and the depth of the water table.
Jennifer speaks to Ute Skiba from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and finds out about her measurements of methane in the wetlands using chambers, and how these small-scale measurements can be scaled up to the larger, i.e. regional scale, which can then be compared with the regional scale measurements made by the aircraft. Another important greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide - N2O, also gets a mention!
Photo credit: Stephane Bauguitte (FAAM)
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Sep 23rd, 2013 Comments
This episode is all about the people who keep the FAAMBAe-146 atmospheric research aircraft, her core instruments and scientists in top condition.
In the first part, Sam I chats with Allan Woolley from FAAM (shortfor Facility of Airborne Atmospheric Measurements) who explains the role of the flightmanager during a science flight. Alan also reveals some tips on how to keep thescientists' morale high and what else he does at FAAM when he is not in the air.
In the second part of this episode, Jennifer speaks with theaircraft engineers Dean Warrilow and Stuart Sneddon from Avalon Aero, who maintain,repair & check the aircraft during a detachment like MAMM in the Arctic, orat the base back in Cranfield in the UK.
And according to Dean, sometimes it's not just theinstruments or aircraft itself that is high maintenance, which then... leaves the scientists?
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Sep 22nd, 2013 Comments
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Sep 22nd, 2013 Comments
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Sep 21st, 2013 Comments
The UK largest research aircraft and its airborne measurements form an integral part of the MAMM campaign, a project that aims to understand and survey the sources of methane in the European Arctic.
Doing research using the aircraft takes a lot more than just the scientists doing good science: the ground operations team plays a crucial role.
Listen to this episode to find out more about what the operations team on the ground does months in advance to plan a campaign and the aircraft detachment, as well as what is involved in making sure the aircraft can go flying day after day in a campaign such as e.g. MAMM.
Jennifer spoke to Peter Chappell and David Simpson from Directflight to hear about their work behind the scenes, and some of the perks of the job.
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Sep 18th, 2013 Comments
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Aug 23rd, 2013 Comments
Back in Manchester, Will chats with Sam and Jennifer who reflect on the recent flying in the Arctic for the MAMM project. Listen to find out whether luck was with them, or whether they made their own luck in August and what the outlook is for the September campaign where they will be flying even further North than the wetlands in the European Arctic.
Arctic wetlands
Find out more about the MAMM campaigns on the project blog: arcticmethane.wordpress.com
Presenting: Will Morgan
Chat: Jennifer Muller & Sam Illingworth
Editing: Jennifer Muller
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Aug 18th, 2013 Comments
Sam I and Jen meet to discuss some of the results of the fourth (and final) day of the MAMM flying campaign in the Arctic. Thanks to some excellent in flight planning and some fortuitous weather, the FAAM Atmospheric Research Aircraft was able to make measurements over the Sodankylä TCCON (Total Carbon Column Observing Network, and not the Total Column Carbon Observing Network as Sam seems to think!) site in Finland, whilst the Sky Arrow team was also able to follow us for some intercomparison work.
Posted in Field project, Greenhouse Gases, Arctic, MAMM on Aug 17th, 2013 Comments
In this episode, Sam I catches up with Professor John Pyle from the University of Cambridge, the PI (Principal Investigator) for the MAMM project, and finds out in a bit more detail about the principal aims of the flying phase of the campaign.