CPACE: Central Pacific Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment

Summary

The Central Pacific Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (CPACE) flew a Lockheed Electra airplane to sample chemical species over the Pacific with the goal of understanding the ways that phytoplankton interact with the Earth's atmosphere and affect the planet's clouds and climate. Flying at altitudes ranging from 150 to 14,500 feet, the electra flew south from Hawaii to Christmas Island and southwest to the Johnston Atoll. The goal of the research was to learn how the planet regulates the temperature and chemistry of the oceans and atmosphere, and the effect on global warming.