vertical profiles of O 3 , NO 2 , BrO, H 2 O and the OClO free radical by the imprinting of
their absorption lines on the solar spectrum. The instrument is driven by an on-board
computer that is connected to a Pressure, Temperature and Humidity (PTU) sensor, a
GPS to track latitude, longitude and altitude, and an Argos transmitter for the recovery
of the payload after cut-down and descent by parachute. The weight of the instrument
is 20 kg (44 lb). It is launched using small balloons of 5,000-10,000 m
3
(176,000353,000 ft
3
) volume developed by the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES).
Flights have occurred in France, Spain, Norway, Sweden, and Brazil in order to
study the ozone loss and the chemistry of chlorine, bromine and iodine species.
7.1.3 Aerobiology
It is easy to think of our atmosphere as an empty space above the ground, but it is
home to a wide diversity of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi.
These tiny life forms may hold clues to big questions, such as where and how life
evolved, and whether it exists elsewhere in the universe. Aerobiologists study the
organisms and particles of biological origin (collectively called bioaerosols) that
float about in the atmosphere. How do bioaerosols get into the atmosphere in the
first place? Is it by thunderstorms, volcanic activity, fire or dust storms. How are
they lofted by prevailing wind currents? How do they influence the chemistry of
the air and clouds? More questions surround how long they can stay afloat in the
Fig. 7.1 The SOAZ aeronomy payload. Photo courtesy of The French National Centre
for Scientific Research
7.1 Atmospheric Studies 147
their absorption lines on the solar spectrum. The instrument is driven by an on-board
computer that is connected to a Pressure, Temperature and Humidity (PTU) sensor, a
GPS to track latitude, longitude and altitude, and an Argos transmitter for the recovery
of the payload after cut-down and descent by parachute. The weight of the instrument
is 20 kg (44 lb). It is launched using small balloons of 5,000-10,000 m
3
(176,000353,000 ft
3
) volume developed by the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES).
Flights have occurred in France, Spain, Norway, Sweden, and Brazil in order to
study the ozone loss and the chemistry of chlorine, bromine and iodine species.
7.1.3 Aerobiology
It is easy to think of our atmosphere as an empty space above the ground, but it is
home to a wide diversity of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi.
These tiny life forms may hold clues to big questions, such as where and how life
evolved, and whether it exists elsewhere in the universe. Aerobiologists study the
organisms and particles of biological origin (collectively called bioaerosols) that
float about in the atmosphere. How do bioaerosols get into the atmosphere in the
first place? Is it by thunderstorms, volcanic activity, fire or dust storms. How are
they lofted by prevailing wind currents? How do they influence the chemistry of
the air and clouds? More questions surround how long they can stay afloat in the
Fig. 7.1 The SOAZ aeronomy payload. Photo courtesy of The French National Centre
for Scientific Research
7.1 Atmospheric Studies 147