2
The figure below shows the CO
2 concentration as it varies by altitude and latitude, measured by the
NSF/NCAR GV aircraft during the
HIPPO Phase I campaign, January-
February 2009.
The white lines depict the NSF/NCAR
GV flight profile from the surface to the tropopause.
:: Collaborative Research ::
A special thanks to the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
HIPPO Field Campaigns
HIPPO I :: 8 January - 30 January, 2009
HIPPO II :: 31 October - 22 November, 2009
HIPPO III :: 24 March – 16 April, 2010
HIPPO IV :: 14 June – 10 July, 2011
HIPPO V :: 9 August – 9 September, 2011
HIPPO Global Itinerary
 Boulder, Colorado USA
 Anchorage, Alaska USA
 North Pole (towards 85° N)
 Kona, Hawaii USA
 America Samoa
 Christchurch, New Zealand
 South Pole (towards 67° S)
 Hobart, Australia
 Darwin, Australia
 Saipan

Midway Island http://hippo.ucar.edu http://hippo.ucar.edu
http://hippo.ucar.edu

The HIAPER Pole-to-Pole Observations
(HIPPO) project is the first to investigate the Carbon Cycle and greenhouse gases throughout various altitudes of the Pacific Basin through the annual cycle. The main goal of this program is to determine the global distribution of carbon dioxide (CO
2
) and other trace atmospheric gases by sampling at various altitudes and latitudes from pole to pole.
The research will be conducted by a 12person team aboard HIAPER, a
Gulfstream V (GV) aircraft that was funded by the National Science
Foundation and adapted for high altitude observations and advanced research.
The “HIAPER Pole-to-Pole Observations (HIPPO) of Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Gases
Study” will measure atmospheric concentrations approximately pole-to-pole, from the surface to the tropopause, five times during different seasons over a three-year period. A comprehensive suite of atmospheric trace gases pertinent to understanding the Carbon Cycle will be measured.
The program will provide the first comprehensive, global survey of atmospheric trace gases, covering the full troposphere in all seasons and multiple years.
- Steven Wofsy, Harvard University scientist & HIPPO principal investigator
Researchers will be sampling numerous chemical compounds such as CO
2
(carbon dioxide), CO (carbon monoxide), O
2
:N
2
ratio
(oxygen:nitrogen), CH
4
(methane), N
2
O
(nitrous oxide), H
2
O (water) and O
3
(ozone) as far north and south as they can, and from sea level up to 45,000 feet.
Additionally, atmospheric pressure, temperature, wind speed, and aerosols, such as soot and smoke, will be studied to create a
“snapshot” of Earth’s atmosphere.
Scientists continually monitor the 24 instruments installed on the NSF/NCAR GV aircraft during each flight. The instruments are fixed to the body of the aircraft and the underside of each wing, along with cameras, regularly http://hippo.ucar.edu
sampling the surrounding atmosphere during flight.
As a result of this study atmospheric scientists will be able to help regional communities make informed global policy based on their findings of the collected data.
The increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution has far reaching effects not only on the climate but all plants, animals and ecosystems over the entire world.
HIPPO’s ground-breaking scientific study will allow for a better understanding of the world in which we live today and how to better prepare for tomorrow.