A set of photoelectric detectors for airborne measurements of the photolysis frequency of NO2, i.e., JNO2, was developed and integrated aboard the research aircraft Hercules C‐130 operated by the U.K. Meteorological Office. The instrument consists of two separate sensors, each of which provides an isotropic response over a solid angle of 2π steradian (sr). The sensors are mounted on top and below the aircraft, respectively, to obtain a field of view of 4π sr, and permit the discrimination of the upwelling and downwelling components of the actinic flux. From experimental tests and model calculations it is demonstrated that small differences between the spectral sensitivity of the sensors and the spectral response of JNO2 can lead to significant errors in the determination of JNO2, especially under cloudy conditions. We present correction factors for clear sky conditions and suggest the use of a new filter combination in the sensors which requires only small corrections and provides acceptable accuracy, even under cloudy conditions. A climatology of JNO2 values is presented from a series of flights made in 1993 at latitudes of 36°–59°N. For clear sky conditions and solar zenith angles of 33°–35°, JNO2 was 8.3 × 10−3 s−1 at sea level and increased with altitude to values of 13 × 10−3 s−1 at 7.5 km altitude. Above clouds, JNO2 reached maximum values of 24 × 10−3 s−1, and peak values of 29 × 10−3 s−1 were observed for very short periods in the uppermost layers of clouds. Enhancement of the actinic flux due to light scattered from clouds was also observed at altitudes below 0.5 km. Comparison of the clear sky data with predictions from different radiative transfer models reveals the best agreement for models of higher angular resolution. The Delta Eddington method underpredicts the measurements significantly, whereas the JNO2 values predicted by the discrete ordinate method and multidirectional model are only about 5% smaller than our measurements, a difference that is within the experimental uncertainties.

Abstract.A small system for the unattended measurement of total odd nitrogen (NO y , i.e., the sum of NO and its atmospheric oxidation products) aboard civil in-service aircraft in the framework of MOZAIC is described. The instrument employs the detection of NO by its chemiluminescence with O 3 in combination with catalytic conversion of the other NO y compounds to NO at 300 • C on a gold surface in the presence of H 2 . The instrument has a sensitivity of 0.4-0.7 cps/ppt and is designed for unattended operation during 1-2 service cycles of the aircraft (400-800 flight hours). The total weight is 50 kg, including calibration system, compressed gases, mounting, and safety measures. The layout and inlet configuration are governed by requirements due to the certification for passenger aircraft. Laboratory tests are described regarding the conversion efficiency for NO 2 and HNO 3 (both >98%). Interference by non-NO y species is <1% for CH 3 CN and NH 3 , <5×10 −5 % for N 2 O (corresponding to <0.2 ppt fake NO y from ambient N 2 O) and 100% for HCN. The time response of the instrument is <1 s (90% change) for NO 2 . The response for HNO 3 is nonlinear: 20 s for 67%, 60 s for 80%, and 150 s for 90% response, respectively.

Abstract. The Schauinsland Ozone Precursor Experiment (SLOPE96) campaign was conducted in June 1996 to study the physicochemical transformation of pollutants and the production of photooxidants during transport from the city of Freiburg to the Schauinsland mountain. For this purpose, chemical surface measurements were made at the entrance of the valley Groges Tal, and close to the Schauinsland summit, at 1200 m altitude on a saddle at the end of the valley. In addition, measurements of ozone, NO2, and meteorological parameters were made on two tethered balloons and aboard a small aircraft. This paper describes the experimental setup and the measurements of ozone, odd-nitrogen compounds, carbonyl compounds, CO, and photolysis frequencies made during SLOPE96. The various instruments used on the different platforms were harmonized on the basis of intercomparison experiments in order to achieve a consistent picture. Large precursor concentrations from the nearby city of Freiburg are transported to Schauinsland in a valley wind system during stagnant high-pressure conditions. These conditions occurred only on 2 days of the campaign, and only 1 day (June 5) was predictable enough to allow for deployment of the aircraft and the balloons.