The Central Equatorial Pacific Experiment (CEPEX) was conducted in the Central Pacific Ocean from approximately 160 E to 150 W longitude and 20 N to 20 S latitude. This was the area of maximum sea-surface temperature (SST) gradient extending east-southeast from the Western Pacific "Warm Pool." The overall scientific goal of CEPEX was to establish the relative roles of cirrus radiative effects and surface evaporation in limiting maximum SST in this area.
Specific experimental objectives included:
Special observations were made throughout this area from island stations, research buoys, the NOAA Research Vessel (R/V) Vickers and overflights by four research aircraft based at the Nadi International Airport, Fiji (NASA ER-2; Aeromet Learjet) and at the Barber's Point Naval Air Station, Honolulu, Hawaii (NOAA P-3; NCAR Electra). Besides standard meteorological, cloud physics, photography, and navigational measurements, special aircraft instrumentation included:
The CEPEX Field Operations Center was located at the Nadi International Airport, Fiji, and operations were conducted from 5 March to 7 April 1993. The cruise of the R/V Vickers departed Honiara, Solomon Islands on 7 March 1993 and docked at Christmas Island on 18 March 1993. Instrumentation on the R/V Vickers included a full suite of instrumentation collecting meteorological, radiation, rawinsonde, ozonesonde, lidar, interferometer, and various oceanographic measurements.
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