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ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
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IN THE PRESS:
ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:
Heidinger Selected as NOAA Employee of the Month: Andrew
Heidinger of the Advanced Satellite Products Branch (ASPB) was selected
as NOAA Employee of the Month for January 2011. Andy is being
recognized in particular for delivering the first externally-developed
climate data record (CDR) dataset, PATMOS-x, to the National Climatic
Data Center (NCDC) as part of its CDR program. Also see http://www.noaaworld.noaa.gov/eotms/jan2011_eotm.html. (J. Key, E/RA2,
608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu)
CIMSS/SSEC participates in Constituent Meeting with Mary Kicza: At the invitation of NOAA/NESDIS Assistant Administrator Mary Kicza, CIMSS/SSEC's Margaret Mooney participated in a constituent roundtable in Washington, DC at the Federation of Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) winter meeting on January 5th. Mooney met with Ms. Kicza and six other ESIP members to discuss the new NOAA and NESDIS strategic plans unveiled at the ESIP conference. Among other topics, Mooney promoted smart phones and handheld devices as one of the best ways for NOAA/NESDIS to engage weather and climate data consumers in the development of future products and services. (M. Mooney, CIMSS/SSEC, 608-265-2123)
AVHRR Calibration Papers Published: Two papers
concerned with the calibration of the solar reflectance channels on the
Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) were published in the
International Journal of Remote Sensing (Volume 31, Number 24). The
first paper titled "Calibrations for AVHRR channels 1 and 2: review and
path towards consensus" provides a review of current state of the
calibration record. Co-authors are A. Heidinger, W. Straka, C. Molling, J.
Sullivan, and X. Wu. The second paper titled "Deriving an inter-sensor
consistent calibration for the AVHRR solar reflectance data record"
discusses a new calibration technique and the results that were
generated for every AVHRR that has ever flown. Co-authors are C. Molling, A. Heidinger, W. Straka, and X. Wu. These results have been
submitted to the Global Spaced-based Intercalibration System (GSICS).
(A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757, C. Molling, CIMSS, 608-265-5350, W.
Straka, CIMSS, 608-262-5128, Fred Wu, E/RA1, 301-763-8136)
Paper on Ice Thickness Modeling and Retrieval Published: A paper describing a thermodynamic ice model that can be used to estimate ice thickness with satellite data was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research (Oceans). The paper, by X. Wang, J. Key, and Y. Liu is titled "A thermodynamic model for estimating sea
and lake ice thickness with optical satellite data" (JGR, 115, C12035, doi:10.1029/2009JC005857, 2010). (X. Wang, CIMSS,
608-261-1390; J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu; Y. Liu,
CIMSS, 608-265-8620)
ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:
Defining Ash Cloud Concentrations that are Visible to the Human Eye for Aviation Decision Support: The International Volcanic Ash Task Force (IVATF) Air Worthiness (AIR) Subgroup requested that the IVATF Science Subgroup develop a practical understanding of the physical relationship between visible ash clouds and ash concentrations. In response to this request, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Volcanic Ash Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) was tasked by the IVATF Science Subgroup to address specific questions regarding the relationship between ash cloud concentration and the ability of a pilot or surface observer to visually see ash clouds during the day. M. Pavolonis (NOAA/NESDIS/STAR), who is a member of the WMO Volcanic Ash SAG, led the scientific response to the questions posed by the IVATF AIR Subgroup. Theoretical and observational data were used to draw several important conclusions regarding ash cloud concentration and visual cloud identification. Most importantly, it was determined that ash clouds with a concentration of 2 mg/m^3 or greater should nearly always be visible to the human eye during the day, and can reliably be detected using infrared satellite measurements. During the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in May 2010, 2 mg/m^3 was chosen as the approximate maximum ash concentration that jet engines could be exposed to without experiencing major damage. The conclusions of the WMO Volcanic Ash SAG, which were forwarded to the IVATF AIR Subgroup, may impact future aviation operations in the vicinity of volcanic ash clouds during the day. (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, Mike.Pavolonis@noaa.gov)VISITORS:
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