ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report [ Archive ]

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

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ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

ESA Cloud Workshop: Andrew Heidinger attended the European Space Agency's (ESA) Cloud Workshop in Berlin, Germany. The purpose of this workshop was to bring together users and producers of cloud information from ESA's cloud remote sensing data. In addition, ESA is also interested in using NOAA's long-term cloud climate records. Heidinger presented an overview of the work done in NESDIS to derive multi-decadal cloud climate records from its operational polar orbiting imagers. (A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757)

Satellite Monitoring of Redoubt Volcanic Clouds: The Redoubt Volcano, located about 100 miles to the southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, produced several strong eruptions beginning on March 23, 2009. The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Satellite Blog (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/archives/2228) was updated with various Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Multi-Function Transport Satellite (MTSAT), and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) images and products showing the evolution and transport of the volcanic ash and Sulfur Dioxide clouds, some of which drifted over the lower 48 states. Among the products on the CIMSS Blog are quantitative AVHRR-based retrievals of ash cloud properties such ash height, ash concentration, and ash particle size. These quantitative AVHRR products, developed by M. Pavolonis (NOAA/NESDIS) and Justin Sieglaff (CIMSS), are currently scheduled to be transitioned to NOAA/NESDIS operations in the Spring of 2010. We are continuing to monitor Redoubt as strong eruptions continue. (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, Mike.Pavolonis@noaa.gov, S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958, J. Sieglaff, CIMSS, 608-265-5357).

  (Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: Quantitative ash cloud property retrievals from NOAA-17 AVHRR showing one of the many ash clouds produced by the eruption of Mount Redoubt in Alaska. The retrievals provide information on ash concentration (upper right panel), ash cloud height (lower left panel), and ash particle size (lower right panel).

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

NOAA Cooperative Institutes Administrators Meeting: Tom Achtor, Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC)/Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Executive Director for Science, attended the NOAA Cooperative Institute (CI) Directors and Administrators meetings in Silver Spring, MD on 24-26 March 2009. The Administrators meeting featured a review and discussion of key CI issues, including the CI re-competition process. Members of NOAA's Grants Management team reviewed proposal preparation requirements, their proposal processing steps and answered questions from the CI administrators. The meeting was very helpful to connect the CI administrators with NOAA staff. (T. Achtor, CIMSS, 608-263-4206)

NOAA Cooperative Institutes Directors Meeting: Steve Ackerman and Tom Achtor attended the NOAA Cooperative Institute (CI) Directors meeting in Silver Spring, MD on 24-26 March 2009. There were follow-up discussions on the NOAA logo use and the workforce issue. Other highlights include discussion of the re-competition of the NOAA CIs. While all CI directors recognize the requirement to do the re-competitions, no CI director that has experienced the process finds it effective or efficient. Mary Glackin gave a nice presentation and fielded questions for about 30 minutes. She indicated that the Satellite Planning report might be released to the public soon. (S. Ackerman, CIMSS, 608-263-3647)

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