Satellite Ground Station Acquisition for Regional and Global Studies

在高空间和时间尺度上获取业务气象卫星信息可能是一个昂贵和耗时的过程。虽然因特网上有许多卫星数据来源，但这些数据大多已转换成一种易于传输和显示为图片的格式，因此不适合进行详细的定量科学调查。在重大研究仪器计划(MRI)的支持下，首席调查人员将购买卫星接收地面站和相关处理设备，使他们能够从地球静止运行环境卫星(GES)和先进的甚高分辨率辐射计(AVHRR)获取数据。首席调查员将利用这些卫星数据研究不同的研究课题，包括中尺度天气和气候调查。具体专题的例子包括：-进行观测案例研究，作为分类和记录中尺度对流系统的云顶特征的手段，包括龙卷风；-了解云顶温度和云的闪电特征之间的关系，以及相邻风暴之间潜在的微物理相互作用(和对闪电的影响)；-将GOES卫星红外和可见光数据纳入中尺度预测模式，以产生更准确的地表温度和水汽通量，从而提高模式技能；-通过将卫星信息同化到光化学模拟系统，绘制极地地区的海冰和云图，改进区域尺度空气污染模式；-了解各种生态系统的植被特征；-探测和了解喷气尾迹对区域气候的影响。此外，这些卫星信息将被用作课程的组成部分，在这些课程中，研究生不仅接受如何利用这些信息的培训，而且还面临开发解决气象问题的新的和改进的方法的挑战。

Acquisition of operational weather satellite information at high spatial and temporal scales can be an expensive and time consuming process. While there are many sources of satellite data available over the Internet, most of these data have been converted into a format that is easily transferred and displayed as a picture and are, therefore, not suitable for detailed, quantitative scientific investigation. With support from the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI), the Principal Investigators will purchase satellite receiving ground stations and associated processing equipment that will allow them to acquire data from both the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). The Principal Investigators will employ this satellite data to study diverse research topics covering both mesoscale weather and climate investigations. Examples of specific topics include: - performing observational case studies as a means to classify and document cloud-top characteristics of mesoscale convective systems, including tornadic squall lines; - understanding the relationship between cloud-top temperature and lightning characteristics of clouds, and potential microphysical interactions (and effects on lightning) among adjacent storms; - incorporating GOES satellite IR and visible data into mesoscale prediction models to produce more accurate surface temperature and moisture fluxes and, hence, improve model skill; - improving regional-scale air pollution models by assimilating satellite information into photochemical modeling systems, mapping sea ice and clouds over polar regions; - understanding the vegetation characteristics of various ecosystems; - detecting and understanding the impact of jet contrails on regional climate. Additionally, this satellite information will be used as an integral part of courses in which graduate students are not only trained how to utilize this information, but are also challenged t o develop new and improved approaches to meteorological problems.