The intensive phase of the 2013 ACE/OSIRIS Arctic Validation Campaign is now complete. It has been a wonderfully successful three weeks. We end on a warm note: the temperature at the Eureka Weather Station was -16°C this afternoon, 35°C warmer than the minimum of -51°C we experienced a few weeks ago. The temperature at the Ridge Lab today was -4°C, close to the temperature we will soon return to in Toronto.
Today was cloudy, and we were unable to take measurements with the Bruker and PARIS at the Ridge Lab. Over the campaign, however, we have been highly productive in taking measurements. Dan and Joseph took 741 MIR and 266 NIR measurements with the Bruker over 15 measurement days. Debora took a total of 547 measurements with PARIS over 17 measurement days. The Bruker and PARIS are now ready for the extended phase.
In the UV-Vis Lab, the GBSs and SAOZ are working well and continuing to take measurements, thanks to Xiaoyi's hard work maintaining them over the past three weeks. He took measurements with the UT-GBS for 17 days, with PEARL-GBS for 21 days, and with SAOZ for 18 days during the intensive campaign. The GBSs are ready for year-round measurements without an on-site operator.
Down at 0PAL, the CRL ran overnight and throughout the day. The weather looks good for lidar measurements so it should continue running tonight as well.
Pierre, the PEARL site manager, arrived safely today at 6 PM. He and Emily will continue to take measurements throughout the extended phase of the campaign, which runs until April 3. The remaining intensive phase team members (Dan, Debora, Joseph, Paul, Xiaoyi) will depart tomorrow morning, first to Yellowknife, and then flying on to Toronto on Wednesday.
Eureka has felt like home for the last three weeks. We would like to thank everyone who has made this campaign such a fantastic and successful experience. The team would like to give our special thanks to our hosts at the Eureka Weather Station. They have been welcoming, hospitable, and kind. None of what we do would be possible without them.
Thanks to all the people at the Weather Station: John, Dean, Donna, Roxanne, James, Andre, Jane, Jay, Johnny, Dave, Bill, and Scott. You each did everything possible to support us and make our field work as smooth as possible.
We would also like to thank the Canadian Space Agency, Environment Canada, and CANDAC for continuing to financially and logistically support the Canadian Arctic ACE Validation Campaign. The opportunities that come with being in Eureka for polar sunrise are unmatched. The phenomenal data we collect in addition to the irreplaceable learning experience for us all is only possible because of the support you have provided.
Finally, thank you all for reading the daily updates and viewing our daily photos!