ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 25, 2011

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

RAQMS Air Quality Forecasts Highlighted at NCAR: Carbon Monoxide (CO) forecasts and biomass burning emissions from the Real-time Air Quality Modeling System (RAQMS) are being featured on the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) web site (http://ncar.ucar.edu/) as part of a science highlight entitled "HIPPO Takes to the Skies: Measuring Earth’s Atmospheric Constituents". The National Science Foundation (NSF) HIAPER Pole-to-Pole Observation (HIPPO) project utilized the NCAR Gulfstream V (GV) aircraft to measure atmospheric constituents from nearly pole to pole across the Pacific Ocean during March 2010. RAQMS carbon monoxide, ozone, and aerosol forecasts and biomass burning emissions were used to provide a large-scale context for the interpretation of the HIPPO airborne measurements while the extensive, high precision HIPPO measurements provide a unique opportunity to validate RAQMS chemical and aerosol analyses over the Pacific. This opportunity occurred through STAR collaboration with scientists at the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) and Harvard during the 2010 CalNex field mission, which followed the HIPPO flights (R.B. Pierce, E/RA2, 608-890-1892, brad.pierce@noaa.gov)

  (Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: RAQMS carbon monoxide forecast at 00Z on April 01, 2010 from the "HIPPO Takes to the Skies: Measuring Earth's Atmospheric Constituents" science highlight on the NCAR web site.

Solar Energy Workshop: Andrew Heidinger attended a workshop on solar energy hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. He presented on the current NESDIS suite of solar flux and cloud products that are relevant to the NREL mission. The attendees included solar energy power generators and private industry consultants. One very sensitive issue is the role of government versus private-sector remote sensing to support the solar energy industry. (A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

High Resolution Air Quality Monitoring from Space: The first results of a new hyperspectral trace gas retrieval algorithm have been published and are open for review in Atmospheric Measurement Techniques Discussion (AMTD; http://www.atmos-meas-tech-discuss.net/4/3787/2011/amtd-4-3787-2011.html). The algorithm is fast and its simplified design makes it ideal for implementation in air quality monitoring systems. It provides space-borne trace gas measurements at high spatial resolution. (N. Smith, CIMSS, 608-265-5653, nadia.smith@ssec.wisc.edu, A. Huang, CIMSS, 608-263-5283, E. Weisz, CIMSS, R.B. Pierce, E/RA2, 608-890-1892, brad.pierce@ssec.wisc.edu)

International Volcanic Ash Task Force Working Papers Submitted: Several working papers that will be presented at the Second International Volcanic Ash Task Force (IVATF) meeting (July 11-14, 2011 in Montreal) were submitted to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). M. Pavolonis (NOAA/NESDIS) was the lead author on two working papers and a co-author on four additional working papers. The papers were primarily focused on describing current and future space-based volcanic cloud remote sensing capabilities and limitations. The papers also make recommendations for improving volcanic cloud monitoring through improved use of satellite observations and improvements in satellite technology. The IVATF is a multi-disciplinary global group and a focal point and coordinating body of all work related to volcanic ash being carried out by the ICAO at the global and regional levels. ICAO manages international air traffic navigation. If eventually accepted by ICAO, the recommendations provided within the IVATF working papers will be used refine operational products and decision-making guidelines at the nine Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre’s, two of which are operated by NOAA. Personal from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) will represent the United States at the IVATF meeting. (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, Mike.Pavolonis@noaa.gov)

CIMSS Board Meeting: The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) held an Executive Board meeting on June 24, 2011. The Executive Board of CIMSS has the following responsibilities: 1) to make recommendations to the Dean of the Grad school for the Directorship of CIMSS, 2) to review and approve the policies, research themes, and priorities of CIMSS, 3) to prepare an annual evaluation of CIMSS programs and activities, with appropriate recommendations, 4) to review the CIMSS budget, 5) to approve the appointment of members of the CIMSS Science Council, 6) to review and approve such further implementing agreements as defined in the Memorandum of Understanding. Board members in attendance were Drs. Al Powell, Lelia Vann, Ramesh Kakar, Peter Hildebrand, Jonathan Martin, Steve Ackerman, Hank Revercomb, and Jeff Key. (S. Ackerman, CIMSS, 608-263-3647; T. Achtor, CIMSS, 608-263-4206; J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu)

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