Research Flights with HALO: Focusing on Ice Clouds and Air Traffic
Jülich/Oberpfaffenhofen, 22 July 2021 – Depending on the position of the sun, the time of day, and cloud characteristics, the thin and high cirrus clouds in the Arctic have a predominantly warming effect. To date, however, there have been hardly any direct cirrus cloud measurements at high altitudes and they have been insufficiently considered in climate models. This month, the German research aircraft HALO will be taking flight in the direction of northern Europe and the Arctic. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the extent to which cirrus clouds are contributing to the particularly strong warming of this region. In addition, the research team with its 70 members is focusing on the effects of the heavy air traffic in central Europe. The researchers are investigating at what time of day the condensation trails result in the least warming and whether they can be avoided in certain weather situations. These findings could be of enormous value for more environmentally friendly flight planning in future. Jülich scientists from the Institute of Energy and Climate Research – Stratosphere (IEK-7) are also involved in the CIRRUS-HL (CIRRUS in High Latitudes) mission. CIRRUS-HL is being coordinated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR).