Gillian Mary Whelan

Ten years (2001 to 2010) of upper-atmospheric observations from 4x daily dry-bias-corrected radiosonde ascents from Valentia (Ireland) are analyzed via application of the Schmidt-Appleman criterion to characterize the susceptibility of the atmosphere over Ireland to contrail formation and persistence seasonally, diurnally and inter-annually. A 10-y...

Contrails, or 'condensation trails', produced in the wake of jet aircraft have been found to have a small but significant global net climate-warming effect [1]. When atmospheric conditions are favorable (i.e. when ambient atmospheric humidity is high and temperature is below a threshold value of typically less than -40 o C), contrails can persist f...

Aircraft induced contrails have been found to have a net warming influence on the climate system, with strong regional dependence. Persistent linear contrails are detectable in 1 Km thermal imagery and, using an automated Contrail Detection Algorithm (CDA), can be identified on the basis of their different properties at the 11 and 12 μm wavelengths...

Condensation-trails, or 'contrails', have a net warming effect on the climate system. They form in the wake of jet aircraft, as exhaust-gases mix with cold and humid ambient air. The climate impact of contrails is largest at night and in winter; even though air-traffic densities are lowest at these times. Depending on ambient atmospheric conditions...

Surface temperatures are expected to rise in this century in response to the growing emissions of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide in particular. Probabilistic projections of these increases are required to assess and mitigate against the potential impacts of higher temperatures. This paper examines the ability of multi-model ensembles of global cl...

The Earth, the Sun, the Moon, how these bodies interact and influence each other, as well as the basic dynamics and structure of our Solar System, are all topics covered in the general curricula set out for school-children of ages 7 to 14 years. This allows for the introduction of elements of ESA science missions, such as SMART-1, to complement and...

The first European Union Science Olympiad (EUSO2003) took place at Dublin City University in April 2003. In this paper we discuss the philosophy behind and implementation of this new competition, and the role third-level institutions can play in making science more attractive to second-level students via competitions of this nature. Emphasis is pla...