FIRS The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Far-Infrared Spectroscopy Group
January 31, 2006/I>

Welcome to the FIRS homepage at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

The FIRS-2 is a far-infrared Fourier transform spectrometer used to measure the abundance of various trace gases in the stratosphere from both balloon and aircraft platforms. It is the successor to the FIRS-1, which had 6 productive balloon flights starting in 1979 before being destroyed in a free-fall in 1983. We use the abundance measurements to test photochemical models of the stratosphere, particularly our understanding of mechanisms of production and loss of ozone. We also use our measurements of long-lived molecules, particularly water vapor, to test models of stratospheric transport and stratosphere-troposphere exchange.

Personnel:

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Ken Jucks (jucks@cfa.harvard.edu)