Collaborative Research: Formation and Perpetuation of Rifts and Gradients in Optical and Microphysical Properties of Maritime Stratus and Stratocumulus

本研究的目的是确定大而明显的裂谷和梯度形成和持续的机制，这些裂谷和梯度在其他均匀的层积云甲板的卫星观测中经常可见。由跨学科遥控飞机研究中心（CIRPAS）操作的一架装备齐全的双水獭飞机将测量无云地区及其周围的云和气溶胶特性。这些数据将被分析，目的是产生一个海洋边界层的物理模型，以解释裂缝的形成和寿命。航班将从加利福尼亚州的蒙特雷起飞。这项研究的结果对于模拟气溶胶和暖云过程、了解海洋云的辐射特性以及解释卫星数据将是有价值的。该项目由Albrecht博士和dr。Haflidi Jonsson和Philip Durkee来自海军研究生院。

The objective of this study is to determine the mechanism responsible for the formation and perpetuation of large and conspicuous rifts and gradients often visible in satellite observations of otherwise uniform stratus and stratocumulus cloud decks. A fully instrumented Twin Otter aircraft operated by the Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS) will measure cloud and aerosol properties in and around the cloud-free regions. The data will be analyzed with the purpose of producing a physical model of the marine boundary layer that explains the formation and longevity of the rifts. Flights will be conducted from Monterey, California. Results of the study will be valuable for modeling aerosol and warm cloud processes, understanding the radiative properties of maritime clouds, and for interpretation of satellite data. The project is supported as a collaboration between Dr. Albrecht and Drs. Haflidi Jonsson and Philip Durkee at the Naval Postgraduate School.