Fine Scale Remote Sensing of Clouds Using Millimeter Wave Radars

该奖项是一个合作项目的一部分， 马萨诸塞州（阿默斯特）大学的麦金托什教授， 怀俄明州大学（拉勒米）的瓦利教授，以及 堪萨斯大学（劳伦斯）的戈吉内尼教授。 的 目的是利用大气物理学的方法， 毫米波雷达 从历史上看，云的结构和动力学已经被探索过， 两个截然不同的决议。 一方面， 微物理探针，例如广泛使用的激光光学探针， 探头的体积分辨率为1.E-4至1.E-2 m3 对于1秒样本。 另一方面，地面研究 波长大于1cm的雷达通常具有体积 分辨率约为1.E4至1.E7 m3。 但也有 云演化的重要过程介于这两者之间 分辨率类别;这些包括冰的形成，夹带， 云内混合和聚结的开始。 发展 该奖项支持的毫米波雷达的发展 能让科学家们更好地理解这些 使用适当的工具。 在这个项目的前半部分， 研究人员将在该实验室进行地面实验。 怀俄明州麋鹿山天文台并检查雷达 来自已知形状、大小和尺寸的冰晶的反向散射数据 栖息地在35，95和215 GHz。 下半年 项目，马萨诸塞大学全极化95千兆赫雷达将 安装在NCAR空中国王研究飞机;合作 与NCAR科学家合作，主要研究人员将 研究这样的设施如何能够服务于更大的 气象社区

This award is part of a collaborative project among Professor McIntosh of the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), Professor Vali of the University of Wyoming (Laramie), and Professor Gogineni of the University of Kansas (Lawrence). The objective is to study fine-scale structure of clouds using millimeter-wave radars. Historically, cloud structures and dynamics have been probed at two widely separate resolutions. On the one hand, airborne microphysical probes, such as the widely used laser optical probes, have volume resolution of the order of 1.E-4 to 1.E-2 m3 for 1-second samples. On the other hand, ground-based research radars at wavelengths greater than 1 cm typically have volume resolution of the order of 1.E4 to 1.E7 m3. However, some important processes in cloud evolution lie between these two resolution categories; these include ice formation, entrainment, in-cloud mixing, and initiation of coalescence. The development of depolyment of millimeter-wave radars supported by this award will allow scientists to better understand these fine-scale processes with appropriate tools. During the first half of this project, the Principal Investigators will conduct ground-based experiments at the UWyoming Elk Mountain Observatory and examine the radar backscatter data from ice crystals of known shape, size and habitats at 35, 95 and 215 GHz. During the second half of this project, the UMass fully polarimetric 95 GHz radar will be installed in the NCAR King Air research aircraft; collaborating with NCAR scientists, the Principal Investigators will investigate how such a facility can serve the greater meteorology community.