Last Science Flight!

A hyperspectral image of Inuvik Airport,
converted to true colours.

On 17 May 2012, we performed the last VERDI research flight. We probed the same cloud area as on the previous days. Again, there were some ice crystals in the cloud although the temperature was pretty warm, between -4°C and +4°C throughout the cloud. We followed a pair of parallel tracks above and through the cloud layer, and in the end we flew two butterfly patterns for the geometrical calibration of the hyperspectral camera, Eagle. For that we need to look at a distinct surface pattern at different angles.

With this flight, we have used up all our flight hours. Thanks to Alfred Wegener Institute for providing the aircraft and the generous flight hours, and to Aurora Research Institute for the excellent support in Inuvik!