Cirrus Cloud Program for FIRE and Climate Studies

卷云的性质才刚刚开始被了解，但可以肯定的是，这些高空云代表了地球-大气系统气候的一个相对重要的组成部分。在这项基于成就的更新奖下，Sassen博士将继续他对卷云性质的研究，并通过卫星辐射测量来表征它们。这项工作将包括利用偏振激光雷达、辐射计、ka波段雷达和研究飞机进行实地观测；基础实验室微物理和后向散射研究；应用于大尺度卷云生长模型的微物理模型参数化以及激光雷达散射模拟，以改进数据检索。野外观测将按照“延长时间观测”计划进行，并将支持第一次ISCCP（国际卫星云气候学计划）区域实验（FIRE）的第二次“密集野外观测”实验。特别强调的是研究卷云中的过冷液态水，并确定各种卷云云类型的结构和产生机制。整个观测数据将被编译成一组适合ISCCP卷云算法验证的数据集

The properties of cirrus clouds are only beginning to be understood, yet it is certain that these high clouds represent a relatively significant component of the climate of the earth- atmospheric system. Under this Accomplishment-Based Renewal award, Dr. Sassen will continue his research on the nature of cirrus clouds and their characterization through satellite radiance measurements. The work will include field observations with polarization lidar, radiometers, Ka-band radar and research aircraft; basic laboratory microphysical and backscattering studies; microphysical model parameterizations for application to large-scale cirrus growth models; and lidar scattering simulations for improved data retrieval. The field observations will be conducted in accordance with the "Extended Time Observations" schedule and will support the second "Intensive Field Observations" experiment of the first ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project) Regional Experiment (FIRE). Special emphasis will be given to the study of supercooled liquid water in cirrus, and to determining the structure and generating mechanisms present in a variety of cirrus cloud types. The entire observations will be compiled into a set suitable for ISCCP cirrus cloud algorithm verification.//