NASA Invites Media to Preview Pollution-Climate Science Flights

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Jul 31, 2013, 11:11 ET

WASHINGTON, July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For a behind-the-scenes look at NASA's upcoming airborne campaign to study how air pollution from wildfires and other sources affects our climate, NASA will host a media day from 8-11 a.m. CDT Wednesday, Aug. 21, in Houston.

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The campaign is NASA's most complex airborne science study of the year, drawing together coordinated observations from NASA satellites, aircraft and ground sites. More than 200 scientists and support personnel are involved in the mission that will fly across the southern United States beginning Saturday, Aug. 10. The Studies of Emissions, Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys mission -- SEAC4RS for short -- will be flown out of NASA Johnson Space Center's Ellington Field.

The media day also will take place at Ellington Field. The date is subject to change depending on the schedule of research flights. Non-U.S. media planning to attend must register by Monday, Aug. 5. U.S. reporters must register by Friday, Aug. 16. To arrange for credentials, contact William Jeffs at 281-483-5111 or [email protected].

NASA's DC-8, carrying 31 scientific instruments, and the high-altitude single-pilot ER-2, with 15 instruments, are the mission's primary aircraft. Media day events will feature a briefing with mission scientists and flight crews, followed by tours of the aircraft and interviews.

NASA also is inviting social media users to apply for credentials to attend the media day. A maximum of 15 social media users will be selected to receive the same access as media. U.S. citizens active on social media must apply online by Monday, Aug. 12. Accreditation applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. To apply, visit:
http://go.nasa.gov/1cbKIQq

For more information about the SEAC4RS mission, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/seac4rs

SOURCE NASA