[ESAC Student Seminar] Yaowei Li

“Flying High for the Planet: Stratospheric Aircraft Campaigns”

The stratosphere, located approximately 12-50 km above Earth’s surface, is home to the protective ozone layer and contains key components like aerosol particles, ozone, and water vapor that significantly influence the Earth’s energy balance. Unlike the more turbulent and polluted troposphere, the stratosphere is highly stratified and relatively pristine. However, both natural events and human activities at the surface can perturb the stratosphere, with profound effects on the ozone layer and climate.

In recent years, I have had the opportunity to participate in two major stratospheric aircraft campaigns: NASA’s Dynamics and Chemistry of the Summer Stratosphere (DCOTSS) and NOAA’s Stratospheric Aerosol Processes, Budget, and Radiative Effects (SABRE) missions. Using two of the world’s highest-flying research aircraft—the NASA ER-2 (nicknamed “Dragon Lady”) and the WB-57—our instruments soared up to 22 km to collect data on various gases, aerosol particles, and meteorological parameters. These measurements are critical for understanding the background stratosphere as well as the effects of convective storms, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires on this delicate atmospheric layer, which in turn have significant implications for the planet.

In this presentation, I will share my field experiences, highlight key findings from these campaigns, and offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to conduct stratospheric aircraft campaigns—along with some fun and memorable photos and videos.

ESAC Student Seminar Series

A forum for students and postdocs to share recent research, hone presentation skills, and build community among peers, sponsored by the EAPS Student Advisory Committee. Open to current EAPS graduate and undergraduate students and postdocs. Typically hosted on Thursdays during the semester, including pizza lunch.

Contact: esac.officers@gmail.com