James Cook
RRS James Cook

Generic-Atmospheric State (Gen-AtmsState) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for measurements of atmospheric state parameters. These are typically in situ sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed/direction. Types of atmospheric state instruments include thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers.

Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensors are in situ instruments used to measure water depth, pressure, salinity, temperature, and density in the ocean. CTD sensors can be deployed on various water-based platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), buoys, gliders, or research vessels. When mounted on a vessel, CTD sensors are usually attached to a rosette and then lowered to the seafloor to record water properties. These sensors typically sample at 30 Hz and can provide accurate measurements at specific water depths according to the researcher's needs.

Generic-Chemistry Related Sensors (Gen-Chemistry) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for atmospheric chemistry measurements. These are typically in situ analyzers that measure various chemical compounds such as trace gases, halocarbons, volatile organic compounds, nitrates, aerosols, and other chemical species. Measurements can include mixing ratio, composition, particle size, optical properties, and particle size distribution.

Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.

The Compact-Optical Profiling System (C-OPS) is an in situ water-based radiometer system developed at Biospherical Instruments. It measures vertical profiles of ocean radiance and irradiance for depths of 150 to 300 m. It consists of two radiometers operating across the 250-1650 nm wavelength range. C-OPS has a typical sampling rate of 125 Hz and has a vertical resolution of less than 1 cm. It also consists of ancillary sensors that provide measurements of water temperature, pressure, and humidity.

The Hyperspectral Surface Acquisition System Polarimeter (HyperSAS-POL) is a hyperspectral radiometer developed by the Optical Remote Sensing Laboratory at City College of New York (CCNY). It is typically deployed on research vessels and water-based platforms. It collects sky and sea radiance measurements across 180 wavelengths in the 305 to 905 nm range at a single azimuthal angle. HyperSAS-POL records data every 30 minutes to produce high-resolution time series.