README for Radiosonde Data obtained from R/V MIRAI (as of Feb. 14, 2012)


<< Basic Information >>

Sonde Type         : Vaisala RS92-SGPD
Processor          : DigiCORA III / MW31 (software: ver. 3.64.1)
Balloon Launcher   : Vaisala ASAP container (semi-automatic launcher)
Ground check       : Vaisala GC25 (for T/RH)
                     Vaisala PTB330 for pressure
Sounding mode      : Operational mode (auto editing)
Data archive       : ASCII (tsv) files are archived as Vaisala FLEDT
                     (floating-point EDT), whose RH values are recorded with
                     two decimal places of precision.
Balloon            : TOTEX TA-200  (except 5 cases with TA-350;
                     2011100500, 2011102915, 2011112806, 2011112812, 2011112815)

Observation period : Sept. 26 - Oct. 26, 2011 (Crusie code: MR11-07 Leg-1)
                     Oct.  29 - Dec.  1, 2011 (Cruise code: MR11-07 Leg-2)
                     Dec.   5 - Dec. 10, 2011 (Cruise code: MR11-08 Leg-1)


<< MIRAI >>

L x B x D          : 128.6 m x 19.0 m x 13.2 m
Gross tonnage      : 8,687 tons
Call sign          : JNSR


<< Remarks >>

1) Launcher container is located at 18m from MSL at the starboard side.
2) Sometimes, radiosonde was released manually from port side (at the
   same level as the container; 18m from MSL).
3) Surface values were taken from the MIRAI surface Met station, whose
   T/RH sensors (Vaisala HMP45A) are located at both sides at 21m from MSL.
   Starboard-side data were used during MR11-07 Leg-1, while port-side data
   were used during MR11-07 Leg-2 and MR11-8 Leg-1 cruises.
   Distance between Met station and container is roughly 30 m apart.
4) It is known that near surface data are often affeted by ship's iron body
   heating/cooling at daytime/nighttime soundings. Thus, it is recommended
   to correct surface values (within 4.5 hPa from the deck) by replacing
   with values obtained by extrapolation using data taken at the upper
   layer (6 - 18 hPa from the deck). Details on this can be found in
   Yoneyama et al. (2002).


<< Appendix >>

1) "gcheck.log" file contains the results of ground check prior to launch
   as well as other basic information of serial numbers, exact launch
   location and time.



<< References >>

1) R/V MIRAI CINDY2011 cruise report.
   Available from;
   http://www.jamstec.go.jp/iorgc/cindy/materials/CruiseReport_MR11-07_1_text.pdf

2) Yoneyama, K., M. Hanyu, F. Yoshiura, S. Sueyoshi, and M. Katsumata, 2002:
   Radiosonde observation from the ship in the tropical region.
   JASMTECR (Tech. Report), Vol. 45, 31-39.
   Available from;
   http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/cruisedata/explain/radiosonde/shiken45_04.pdf



For more information, please contact to Kunio Yoneyama (yoneyamak @ jamstec.go.jp).