Below that is the Convair 580 flying laboratory from the University of Washington. Even lower, between 12,000 feet and 5,000 feet , are two Aerocommander 690A's. One Aerocommander is from the South African Weather Bureau and the University of the Witwatersrand, and the second one is from the University of Virginia. The target on the first flight was haze in the atmosphere. Scientists especially wanted to find out how much carbon monoxide was in the air.
Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas in air pollution.
Other flights will also measure particles and gases in the atmosphere like ozone, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. Many of these things are in our atmosphere all the time, like carbon dioxide and ozone. But when there is too much of them, it can be unhealthy for humans, plants, and animals. They will be able to better manage their natural resources and keep the air cleaner. A special center is being set up at the University of the Witwatersrand for storing the data.