Campaigns and Guest Instruments

SMEAR III hosts measurements by visiting research groups and companies alongside its long term observations. Its continuous urban background measurements, run to ACTRIS and ICOS standards, make it a well characterised reference for testing new instruments and studying urban air. From 2027, the station will also be Finland’s urban background monitoring supersite under the EU Ambient Air Quality Directive, adding a comprehensive set of regulatory air quality measurements on site. This page explains how to arrange a campaign at the station and lists current and past campaigns.

Hosting measurements at SMEAR III

Groups wishing to measure at SMEAR III should contact the station manager (Tommy Chan) and fill in the installation plan form (see also attachment below). The form asks for the instruments, their space, power, inlet and network needs, and the planned measurement period. Installations are agreed with the station staff before any equipment arrives.

The station can offer rack or floor space in the station container, mains power, connection to the shared aerosol or gas inlets, vacuum and compressed air, subject to availability. The station network is behind the University of Helsinki firewall, so guest instruments need their own mobile (4G) connection for remote access.

During the campaign, guests keep a record of installation, changes and removal in the station logbook (ELOG). Shared inlets, flows and station systems are adjusted only after agreement with the station manager.

Before you come

• Contact the station manager at least three weeks before the planned start and send the installation plan form.
• Installation begins once the plan is approved and a date is agreed.
• Keys and access are arranged with the station staff.

Current campaigns

Past campaigns