Beryllium Isotopes for Resolving Dynamics in the Stratosphere (BIRDIES): a balloon campaign targeting deep convection gravity waves

Cosmogenic beryllium isotopes are powerful atmospheric tracers and were the focus on a balloon-bourne field campaign in Kansas focusing on stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) processes during summertime convection. The Beryllium Isotopes for Resolving Dynamics In thE Stratosphere or BIRDIES campaign aimed to capture gravity waves produced by deep convection clouds and storm events and study their impact on stratospheric dynamics. Two custom-designed payloads called FiSH and GASP were flown at altitudes approaching 30 km. FiSH measured in situ turbulence produced by the breaking of upward propagating gravity waves in the stratosphere and collected data on the ambient turbulence environment aloft. A second payload called GASP collected aerosols in situ to be used as atmospheric tracers of STE processes. The aerosols were analysed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry for cosmogenic 7Be and 10Be, which we use to determine the origin and age of air masses found in the stratosphere surrounding deep convection events. These isotopes have never been measured above 15 km and data taken up to 30 km may unlock new applications in high altitude science for these tracers while providing unique information about the aerosol environment in the stratosphere. BIRDIES joined the NASA-led Dynamics and Chemistry of the Summer Stratosphere (DCOTSS) campaign and additional data gathered there will augment the nine BIRDIES flights. Lastly, we will discuss future modifications to the GASP payload and upcoming flight plans.