Cornell Project


N888UA, Kipp and Zonen pyranometer Charlotte Levy, N888UA, Kipp and Zonen pyranometer
Our custom build drone holds a Kipp and Zonen pyranometer to pick up shortwave radiation reflected by the vegetation below and record it for an ongoing research project at Cornell University. Data will help scientists interpret how forests can help to control climate change.

Charlotte Levy, N888UA, solar radiation in forests
Charlotte Levy, a second-year Cornell PhD student, is organizing the research. The telescoping pole, shown in the background, receives data on solar radiation from overhead. The ratio between incoming solar radiation and that reflected by trees tells us about the overall ability of forests to reflect climate warming radiation.

Charlotte Levy, N888UA, ground control station
Martin LaChance is an amazing co-worker who has helped make the work with drones possible. In this typical field set-up, one screen monitors the drone's location while the other keeps track of a camera feed from the drone itself. With this setup, the pilot can track the drone's status while keeping it in direct line of sight.

Charlotte Levy, N888UA, solar radiation logger
Charlotte Levy, a second year Cornell PhD student, sets the data loggers that will track incoming solar radiation. This research study will use the data to improve predictions about future climate warming and the impacts of projects to plant trees to control global warming.