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ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2007
IN THE PRESS:
ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:
Hurricane Structures Depicted by Hyperspectral Infrared Data: Cooperative
Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) scientists (Jun
Li, Elisabeth Weisz, and others) are demonstrating that with
hyperspectral infrared data alone, high vertical and spatial resolution
moisture and temperature structures can be obtained for hurricane eyes
and their surrounding environment in both clear and cloudy sky
conditions. The cloud-top structure of the hurricane can also be well
depicted. A study on hurricane Isabel (September 13, 2003) with AIRS
(Atmospheric Infrared Sounder) onboard NASA's Aqua satellite shows that
the hurricane eye temperature anomaly can be as large as 20 K when
compared with its environment. (J. Li, CIMSS, 608-262-3755,
Jun.Li@ssec.wisc.edu)
(Click image to enlarge)
Figure
caption: The AIRS brightness temperature image at 11 µm channel (top
left), hurricane eye temperature anomaly from AIRS alone single
footprint soundings and NCEP analysis (top middle), AIRS comparison
with dropsonde (top right), AIRS moisture (lower left) and temperature
(lower right) single footprint (~13.5 km) sounding cross-section along
the scan line across the eye, along with the NCEP analysis (bottom
panels).
Remote Sensing School at MARSec in Benevento, Italy: From
June 3 to 13, Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite
Studies (CIMSS) scientists Liam Gumley, Kathy Strabala, Paolo
Antonelli, and Paul Menzel taught a ten day International Summer School
on Applications with the Newest Multi-spectral Meteorological
Satellites in Benevento, Italy. The course included materials on -
Radiation and the Radiative Transfer Equation - Spectral signatures
from Earth’s surface and atmosphere - High resolution sounding using
infrared high resolution spectral data - Multi-spectral sensors for
imaging - Instrument Considerations and Cal/Val - Evolving to the
Future Global Observing System Sixty hours of classroom work was split
between lectures and laboratory exercises that emphasized investigation
of high spatial resolution visible and infrared data (from MODIS and
SEVIRI) and high spectral resolution infrared data (from AIRS and
IASI). Homework assignments and classroom tests verified that good
progress was made in learning and mastering the materials presented by
the twenty seven students from Hungary, Turkey, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt,
Sudan, Assam, Cameroon, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mauritania,
Ecuador, and Italy. The Mediterranean Agency for Remote Sensing and
Environmental Control (MARSec) hosted the school and supported the
travel and perdiem of many of the students; EUMETSAT also provided
support. The school is part of a considerable effort by the Province of
Campania to engage Mediterranean countries in environmental awareness
and stewardship. This course represented a large step in establishing a
dialogue between scientists in a diverse collection of countries; it is
a goal that communications and collaborations started during the course
will be sustained.
(W.P. Menzel, CIMSS, 608-263-4930)
Manuscript on Hyperspectral IR for Cloudy Soundings Published:
A paper titled "Cloudy sounding and cloud-top height retrieval from
AIRS alone single field-of-view radiance measurements", was published
in Geophysical Research Letters (34, L12802,
doi:10.1029/2007GL030219). The authors are Elisabeth Weisz, Jun Li,
Jinlong Li (CIMSS), Daniel Zhou (LaRC), Allen Huang (CIMSS), Mitch
Goldberg (STAR), and Ping Yang (Texas A&M University). (Jun Li,
CIMSS, 608 - 262 - 2755, Jun.Li@ssec.wisc.edu)
ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:
CREST Advisory Board Meeting: On 30 - 31 May, Dr Reza Khanbilvardi hosted the CREST Science Advisory Board Meeting at CCNY in NYC. A review of the CREST progress in the thrust areas of remote sensing applications in climate and air quality, coastal water, and precipitation and water resources revealed good progress on all areas. Challenges in attracting good students, sustaining adequate funding, and hiring mentoring and research faculty were discussed: it was noted that sustaining the current level of students (31 PhD, 14 MS, and 26 BS) would be a major achievement. Goals for the next five years include strengthening the NOAA liaison (with inhouse federal people), connecting to the NOAA goals, encouraging the CoRP shared PhD experience, partnering with the policy programs at Columbia University, and participating in training of the trainers (especially when Spanish speaking is involved). Another task for future consideration is studying the industry, government, and university relationship and offering suggestions for improvements.
(W.P. Menzel, CIMSS, 608-263-4930)
Invited AGU Presentation on VISITview: T. Whittaker, Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), gave an invited presentation entitled "VISITview - A Package for Remote Collaborations and Training" at the American Geophysical Union's (AGU) 2007 Joint Assembly in Acapulco, Mexico on May 23, 2007. (T. Whittaker, CIMSS, 608-262-2759)
GOES-R AWG Sounding ADR Held: As co-chair of the GOES-R Algorithm Working Group (AWG) Sounding team, T. Schmit presented the Algorithm Design Review (ADR) on June 21st. No major issues surfaced during the review regarding legacy sounding products from the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI). The presentation has been posted at: ftp://ftp.ssec.wisc.edu/ABI/AWG_sounding/AWG_SoundingADR_final_version.PPT. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov, J. Li, CIMSS, 608-262-3755)
VISIT Activities at CIMSS: The Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) distance learning lesson "The Enhanced-V: A Satellite Severe Storm Signature" was presented on June 21, 2007. Forecasters from NOAA's National Weather Service forecast offices in Pleasant Hills, Missouri and Great Falls, Montana participated in the VISIT lesson. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958)
CoRP Symposium: The Fourth Annual Cooperative Research Program (CoRP) Symposium was held at the University of Maryland in College Park, June 19-20. It was hosted by the Cooperative Institute for Climate Studies (CICS), and organized by Ralph Ferraro (STAR/SCSB). The topic of the symposium was "The Role of Satellite Measurements in Observing and Predicting Climate Variability and Change". A. Heidinger, J. Key (STAR/ASPB), X. Wang, Y. Liu, R. Dworak, and B. Maddux (CIMSS) participated, giving invited presentations and posters. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu)
Other Meetings and Telecons:
T. Schmit participated in telecons relating to the Extended GOES High
Inclination Mission (XGOHI) and the upcoming Geostationary Operational
Environmental Satellite (GOES)-12 Imager anti-ice heater event. The
XGOHI project relates to test remapped GOES-10 Imager (GOES Variable)
GVAR data that we are receiving. The telcon on the heating event
summarized the planned implementation schedule. The planned date for
the beginning of the GOES-12 Imager heating, pending approvals, is June
27th.
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