“NILU's Fred Prata says his sensor comprises a pair of fast-sampling infrared cameras - one seeking telltale IR absorption at a wavelength of 10 micrometres and the other at 12 micrometres. Software combines these to detect silicate-containing ash particles of 2 to 40 micrometres in diameter, the size that wrecks engines. This, Prata tells me in the airstrip's tin hangar, measures the ash "dose" ahead of the plane, how far away it is and its altitude. Combining this with lower-resolution satellite data allows the crew to work out an alternate course. His tests last week were encouraging, with a very low false-positive rate, but needs testing at airliner speeds and altitudes.”
New Scientist (sub required)
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