Lab-in-a-Plane Making Four Laps Around the Globe

The project is called the Atmospheric Tomography Mission (the acronym AToM is pronounced AY-tom, since it's not actually an atomic study). Basically, it's a DC8, crammed full of samplers and sensors, constantly measuring things like methane, carbon dioxide, and pollutants, as the plane flies around the globe, zig-zagging up and down between 500 ft and 30-40,000 feet.

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A DC8 packed with atmospheric sensors and samplers is making four laps around the globe. Britt Stephens is among the scientists on the current leg. CREDIT CRAIG LEMOULT / WGBH
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