Monitoring new particle formation

The Zeppelin started at 7:00 in the morning to observe new particle formation close to Jämijärvi.

The flight with the nucleation package will continue until noon. For tonight, a flight with the SOA cabin layout is scheduled to start at 10 p.m.

Thunderstorms over Jämijärvi

Yesterday we had three successful flights with the photochemistry package.We started at 6:10 had two tank stops and were flying until 2 pm when severe thunderstorms stopped us. Just when the Zeppelin was on the mast and we had the heaviest racks built out it started to rain cats and dogs. For Friday morning, all flights were cancelled.
  

Zeppelin over Lake Näsi

Thunderstorm Clouds

All day flight

The Zeppelin is on its way to the four lakes south of Jämi. It is planned to do a tank stop and a break afterwards and exchange pilots and operators. Flying as long as possible will provide the opportunity to monitor the development of air masses over the day with the Photochemistry package.

No flight today

On Monday, the Zeppelin was equipped with the nucleation package to study new particle formation over Hyytiälä. After returning, we built out instruments to install the photochemistry package. The scheduled starting time was 6:30 a.m. this morning. However, at first it was too foggy to fly, and afterwards heavy thunderstorms came up. Again, racks were taken out of the Zeppelin. On 7:45 a.m. all flights were cancelled for today. We hope for better flight conditions tomorrow.



Today, no Zeppelin flying, (and no skiing).

Photochemistry Flight

On Friday we had a SOA flight in the morning and a photochemistry flight in the night. After the Zeppelin returned at 1 am it was almost completely dark, which is rather unusual at this time of season. Still, we took out three racks to lighten the airship. On Saturday, it was rainy which gave us the opportunity to practise for Karaoke singing in the evening.

Today, on Sunday, we have almost Italian conditions with temperatures reaching 27°C. At present, the airship flies with direction to Hyytilää to monitor forest emissions. The expected arrival time is 7 pm.

Night time photochemistry

This morning the Zeppelin took off 20 minutes earlier than expected, again with the direction to the four lakes south of Jämijärvi, where the airship cruised until 9am. Data showed again a well distinct layering structure of the atmosphere. After the airship will have ridden out the thunderstorm, we will build in the photochemistry package and start flying at 11.pm tonight.

From dusk till dawn

The Zeppelin lifted off at 8 pm this evening to fly above four lakes south of Jämijärvi for 4 hours. After 6 hours of rest we will continue to fly with the SOA package. The flight will start early at 6:30 local time to observe changes in the residual layer from the previous day.