1 October 2024 – 30 November 2025 (all sites, remote sensing platforms, UAVs and Helikite)
1 December 2024 – 15 January 2025 (all sites, radar remote sensing platforms)
16 January 2024 – March 31 2025 (all sites, only in-situ sampling)
Goals
The Cleancloud Helmos OrograPhic sIte experimeNt (CHOPIN) campaign is one of the main observational activities of the CleanCloud project funded by the EC Horizon Europe Call “Improved knowledge in cloud-aerosol interaction” (HORIZON-CL5-2023-D1-01-04). CHOPIN is a Cluster 1 activity of CleanCloud and involves more than 10 partner institutions from Europe.
The maingoal of the CHOPIN Campaign is to gain a better understanding of the processes involved in the formation and evolution of mixed-phase clouds and to improve & develop algorithms used for ground-based and spaceborne remote sensing of aerosols, clouds and their interactions. This is accomplished using an extensive array of in situ and remote sensing instrumentation located at a unique and optimal high-altitude location at Mt.Helmos for targeted studies of aerosol-cloud interactions.
The Greek mountain top is considered ideal for cloud and climate research. It sits at the crossroads of many different air streams and is in a “climate hotspot”, which like the Arctic, is changing much faster compared to the global average. This allows particles of almost any kind to interact with clouds, from wildfire smoke to pollution and highly processed particles from continental Europe, to sea salt from the Mediterranean and dust from Sahara, to pollen, bacteria and fungal spores transported from thousands of kilometres away or the forest below.
The CHOPIN researchers, with the extensive and detailed datasets collected, are expect to be able to directly observe how cloud properties change with the particles in the air – representative of a post-fossil future – and by that contribute to the understanding of future climate impacts of aerosol-cloud interactions. The dataset collected during CHOPIN will be used to develop parameterizations of aerosols, clouds and their interactions, and be used in the improved CleanCloud models and simulations.
CHOPIN also benefits from the synergy of other projects,including the Swiss National Science Foundation LipicAir and AAIDI projects and the ERC project PyroTRACH. Observations from CHOPIN will also be used to evaluate EarthCare aerosol and cloud retrievals, and will be used synergystically by the sister projects CERTAINTY and AirSENSE, funded by ERCEA and ESA.
Coordinated observations between CHOPIN and the high-altitude station at Monte Cimone, Italy during the October/November, 2024 intensive period is also being carried out. This will allow for understanding of the similarities/differences in the airmasses sampled by each site, as well as the study of the evolution of aerosol and their properties during periods where airmasses transport from one site to the other.
The Helmos Hellenic Atmospheric Aerosol & Climate Change station (or simply Helmos Mt) is operated by the National Center for Scientific research “Demokritos” (NCSR-Demokritos). The Aroania (or Helmos) mountainous region is a unique and optimal location for targeted studies of aerosol-cloud interactions. Aroania, situated in the Achaea Prefecture of Greece and is the 3rd highest mountain in the Peloponnese (summit at 2340 m amsl.) and hosts a NCSR-Demokritos monitoring station situated at 2314 m amsl. A unique characteristic of the Helmos High Altitude Monitoring Station (2314 m, 42°N 05′ 30”, 34°E 14′ 25”) is that it is a typical free tropospheric background site with very low influence from the surface polluted layers (Collaud Coen et al., ACP, 2018) and lies in a cross-road of different air masses (continental, Saharan, long-range biomass burning, volcanic, etc.). The site is about 8 km distance from the Kalavryta Ski Center, and another 15 km away from the village of Kalavryta.
CHOPIN sampling site locations (left: HAC2 and Ski Center; right: locations of sites at Kalavryta Ski Center)
Observations during CHOPIN take place at 6 sites: 5 located at the Kalavryta Ski Center where remote sensing (radar, wind lidar, sun photometery, lidars), UAVs, the Helikite platform, and in-situ observations at the “cabin low altitude station” are performed. Observations at the (HAC)2 are also carried out at the 6th site throughout the observation period.
Depending on the time of day and year, the (HAC)2 may reside in the free troposphere, boundary layer or at the interface between the two. Because of this, the airmasses sampled between the sites may be quite different – or linked. Free tropospheric air may contain influences of dust intrusions and biomass burning, while the boundary layer may contain bioaerosols emitted from the forest below. The vertical profiling instruments and observations at the (HAC)2 provide the necessary insights on the presence of PBL aerosol or not at (HAC)2 and the low altitude station.
Setting up the remote sensing area (thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!)
Moving permanent (HAC)2 instruments to make room for all the other CHOPIN instruments
From left to right: Kaori Kawana, Romanos Foskinis and Christos Mitsios
Setting up the Aarhus U CCN instrument
Settin up the LipicAir/LAPI HiVol sampler!
Cloudwater collector, PVM-100 and the (HAC)2
Cloudwater collector, PVM-100 and the HAC2
Mount Helmos
Low attitude station (spitaki or “σπιτάκι”, i.e., little house)
CHOPIN Campaign team
CHOPIN Campaign team at the high altitude station
On our way to the (HAC)2!
Cat time at the hotel
Got NH3 calibration cylinder?
Storage facility (thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!)
Remote sensing area (thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!)
The amazing Romanos seting up the local network and satellite internet connection for the remote sensing area
Walking towards the low altitude station (“σπιτάκι”)
Dinner time
(HAC)2 group
Local road blocks
Dust and blue skies
Dinner time!
UAV team unpacking
Skyline
On our way to the (HAC)2
Looking at data at the (HAC)2
Amazing Mt.Helmos skyline
Proud CHOPINist
Wet cyclone samplers
On our way to the (HAC)2
Inside the (HAC)2
Lunch break at the (HAC)2
Interesting atmospheric layers
Setting up instruments at the (HAC)2
On our way to the (HAC)2
Bioaerosol sampling with the wet cyclones
Setting up a sampling inlet at the low altitude station
Securing the house against strong winds
low altitude station (“σπιτάκι”, “spitaki”, i.e. little house) ready!
Proud Thanos next to one of his inventions (CFSTGC’s aka DMT CCNc, owned by Aarhus U)!
Loading up the NCSR Demokritos HTDMA for transport to the (HAC)2
Setting up the electrical power distribution at the Kalavryta Ski Center lidar and UAV stations
NTUA/EPFL/FORTH lidar van in action!
Lidars, lidars everywhere!
Getting ready for UAV takeoff!
Ready for drone takoff!
Piloting the drone
UAV van
Piloting UAVs is just so cool
Fixed wing UAV
Radars, radiometers and HALO and the remote sensing area.
Visitors at the low altitude site
CHOPINists enjoying the view from 2100m
Carolina hard at work with the (HAC)2 site PILS
Local community visits CHOPIN!
Packing up the wet cyclons
Amazing view with interesting vertical atmospheric structure
Discussing with Helikite team before their journey to Mt.Helmos
Fixing the door after all instruments are installed at the “spitaki” low altitude station.
Low altitude men
Chilling at the Doctors office
Setting up the wet cyclones at the low altitude station
Setting up the wet cyclones at the low altitude station
Setting up the wet cyclones at the low altitude station
Got microbes?
Radiometry men from U.Patras
The “spitaki (σπιτάκι)” low altitude station is full with HTDMA, CCN/SMPS (running in scanning mobility mode), Picarro and other instruments
(HAC)2 and clouds
CHOPINists at (HAC)2 and clouds
Instruments in (HAC)2 running
Instruments in (HAC)2 running
Instruments in (HAC)2 running
Instruments in (HAC)2 running
Instruments in (HAC)2 running
Carolina sampling bioaerosols
Mt.Helmos skyline
Amazing clouds
Amazing food and company!
Happy CHOPINinsts!
Very happy that CNR are CHOPINists too!
Wet cyclone sample: Got dust?
CHOPIN (remote sensing) nocturne
(HAC)2 people after a day of hard work
Kalavryta under a dusty sky
A well-deserved (great) dinner
Kalliopi Violaki seting up the wet cyclone
Kalliopi Violaki setting up the HiVol sampler
PINE arrival at (HAC)2 was a major accomplishemnt
Got PINE? Oh yeah!
Installing the PINE at the (HAC)2
Leveling the ground for the remote sensing area. Thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!
Leveling the ground for the remote sensing area. Thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!
Remote sensing area ready for CHOPIN infrastructure. Thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!
UAV team preparing thing
Amazing Skyline!
Meeting with the Mayor of Kalavryta
Helikite preparations
Helikite preparations
Helikite preparations
Radiosonde launch preparation
Enjoying Lunch
Enjoying lunch at the Helikite
Meeting with the Ski Resort director
Beautiful view
LAPI has left its mark on the σπιτάκι
Checking instruments
Getting ready the Helikite payload ready for launch
Getting ready the Helikite ready for launch
Getting ready the Helikite ready for launch
Getting ready the Helikite ready for launch
Helikite is flying!
Got Helikite?
Checking Helikite data
Helikite is flying!
Helmos is so cool!
Helmos and Helikite are great toether!
Getting the radiosonde ready for launch
Dinner time!
UAV team in action
UAV octacopter platform
Bioaoerosol samplers in action!
Bioaoerosol samplers in action!
A moment for a nice sefile!
NH3 monitor calibration
Checking the CCN instrument
Getting the Helikite ready for flight
Lunch break!
Getting the Helikite ready for flight
Getting the Helikite ready for flight
Helikite in the air!
(HAC)2 under the stars and comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
Helikite in the air!
Helikite payload with CleanCloud logo!
Kalavryta under the stars and comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
Dinner time!
Helikite in the air!
Moon over Mt.Helmos
Helikite in the air!
Helikite nighttime flight
Setting up the remote sensing area (thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!)Moving permanent (HAC)2 instruments to make room for all the other CHOPIN instrumentsFrom left to right: Kaori Kawana, Romanos Foskinis and Christos MitsiosSetting up the Aarhus U CCN instrumentSettin up the LipicAir/LAPI HiVol sampler!Cloudwater collector, PVM-100 and the (HAC)2Cloudwater collector, PVM-100 and the HAC2Mount HelmosLow attitude station (spitaki or “σπιτάκι”, i.e., little house)CHOPIN Campaign teamCHOPIN Campaign team at the high altitude stationOn our way to the (HAC)2!Cat time at the hotelGot NH3 calibration cylinder? Storage facility (thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!)Remote sensing area (thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!)The amazing Romanos seting up the local network and satellite internet connection for the remote sensing areaWalking towards the low altitude station (“σπιτάκι”)Dinner time(HAC)2 group Local road blocksDust and blue skiesDinner time!UAV team unpackingSkylineOn our way to the (HAC)2Looking at data at the (HAC)2Amazing Mt.Helmos skylineProud CHOPINistWet cyclone samplersOn our way to the (HAC)2Inside the (HAC)2Lunch break at the (HAC)2Interesting atmospheric layersSetting up instruments at the (HAC)2On our way to the (HAC)2Bioaerosol sampling with the wet cyclonesSetting up a sampling inlet at the low altitude stationSecuring the house against strong windslow altitude station (“σπιτάκι”, “spitaki”, i.e. little house) ready!Proud Thanos next to one of his inventions (CFSTGC’s aka DMT CCNc, owned by Aarhus U)!Loading up the NCSR Demokritos HTDMA for transport to the (HAC)2Setting up the electrical power distribution at the Kalavryta Ski Center lidar and UAV stationsNTUA/EPFL/FORTH lidar van in action!Lidars, lidars everywhere!Getting ready for UAV takeoff!Ready for drone takoff!Piloting the droneUAV van Piloting UAVs is just so coolFixed wing UAVRadars, radiometers and HALO and the remote sensing area. Visitors at the low altitude siteCHOPINists enjoying the view from 2100mCarolina hard at work with the (HAC)2 site PILS Local community visits CHOPIN!Packing up the wet cyclonsAmazing view with interesting vertical atmospheric structureDiscussing with Helikite team before their journey to Mt.HelmosFixing the door after all instruments are installed at the “spitaki” low altitude station.Low altitude menChilling at the Doctors officeSetting up the wet cyclones at the low altitude stationSetting up the wet cyclones at the low altitude stationSetting up the wet cyclones at the low altitude stationGot microbes?Radiometry men from U.PatrasThe “spitaki (σπιτάκι)” low altitude station is full with HTDMA, CCN/SMPS (running in scanning mobility mode), Picarro and other instruments (HAC)2 and cloudsCHOPINists at (HAC)2 and cloudsInstruments in (HAC)2 runningInstruments in (HAC)2 runningInstruments in (HAC)2 runningInstruments in (HAC)2 runningInstruments in (HAC)2 runningCarolina sampling bioaerosolsMt.Helmos skylineAmazing cloudsAmazing food and company!Happy CHOPINinsts!Very happy that CNR are CHOPINists too! Wet cyclone sample: Got dust? CHOPIN (remote sensing) nocturne(HAC)2 people after a day of hard workKalavryta under a dusty skyA well-deserved (great) dinnerKalliopi Violaki seting up the wet cycloneKalliopi Violaki setting up the HiVol samplerPINE arrival at (HAC)2 was a major accomplishemntGot PINE? Oh yeah!Installing the PINE at the (HAC)2Leveling the ground for the remote sensing area. Thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!Leveling the ground for the remote sensing area. Thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!Remote sensing area ready for CHOPIN infrastructure. Thank you Kalavryta Ski Center!UAV team preparing thingAmazing Skyline!Meeting with the Mayor of KalavrytaHelikite preparationsHelikite preparationsHelikite preparationsRadiosonde launch preparationEnjoying Lunch Enjoying lunch at the HelikiteMeeting with the Ski Resort directorBeautiful viewLAPI has left its mark on the σπιτάκιChecking instrumentsGetting ready the Helikite payload ready for launchGetting ready the Helikite ready for launchGetting ready the Helikite ready for launchGetting ready the Helikite ready for launchHelikite is flying!Got Helikite?Checking Helikite dataHelikite is flying!Helmos is so cool!Helmos and Helikite are great toether!Getting the radiosonde ready for launchDinner time!UAV team in actionUAV octacopter platform Bioaoerosol samplers in action!Bioaoerosol samplers in action!A moment for a nice sefile!NH3 monitor calibrationChecking the CCN instrumentGetting the Helikite ready for flightLunch break!Getting the Helikite ready for flightGetting the Helikite ready for flightHelikite in the air!(HAC)2 under the stars and comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)Helikite in the air!Helikite payload with CleanCloud logo!Kalavryta under the stars and comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)Dinner time!Helikite in the air!Moon over Mt.HelmosHelikite in the air!Helikite nighttime flight
