GIFTS EDU Validation UW-SSEC/CIMSS AERIbago Date: 12 Sept 2006 (Tuesday) Crew: DeSlover, Smith, Taylor (Larar) Author: DeSlover, Larar http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/gifts/edu/ Weather Conditions: Clear with some light cirrus waves visible in the AM and afternoon. Tomorrow should be the last of the clear days before a front rolls through sometime Thursday. Instrument Analysis All instruments operated nominally. Sonde (2) 1045 and 1240 UTC Vaisala Temperature Probe Readings: 1050 UTC AERI-05 47.7% RH, 17.6 C Midpoint to mirror 52.2% RH, 16.3 C Mirror 54.2% RH, 15.8 C AERIbago 56.0% RH, 15.6 C 1240 UTC AERI-05 43.2% RH, 17.8 C Midpoint to mirror 41.3% RH, 18.1 C Mirror 51.4% RH, 15.8 C AERIbago 57.5% RH, 14.4 C Science Discussion Activities began at 0930 UTC with preparation for moon view experiment. Numerous people walking in front of AERI-05 to adjust mirror during MVE. Activities began at 0930 UTC with preparations for lunar viewing tests. The Moon Viewing Experiment (MVE) test plan was altered slightly to ensure lunar imaging throughout the array; specifically, recording data for two events of the moon moving across the FPA in offset positions to increase pixel coverage. MVE begins at 1038 UTC with a calibration sequence, followed by radiosonde release and the start of moon viewing at 1044 UTC; all data for the MVE are recorded in short scan, 9.18 cm-1 resolution, mode. Run 1 of the MVE involved 61 scans and was finished at 1050 UTC. After some slight difficulty in reacquiring the moon, the second set of (58) scans was run between 1126 and 1131 UTC, concluding the MVE. Our ambitious plan was to also execute the Moon-tracking and Sky-viewing Event (MSE) this morning; this test tracks the moon and records zenith sky-view data, all with long scans (0.57 cm-1 resolution) in the variable time integration mode. The MSE was started at 1156 UTC with execution of a calibration sequence. [radiosonde #1 ended at 1205 UTC and was followed by a second radiosonde launch at 1240 UTC] Meanwhile, the MSE execution ran into some difficulty with anomalies in the gimbal control during the required moon tracking; the net effect was too much FPA motion while attempting to maintain lock on the lunar image. Troubleshooting was inconclusive by 1250 UTC, the time at which lunar viewing was obstructed by the SDL building. While this forced termination of the lunar viewing portion of the MSE, we continued MSE execution by gathering zenith sky-view data in the variable time integration mode specified by this test; 25 long scans were recorded between 1314 and 1322 UTC, followed by a calibration sequence. Consistent with earlier testing, we also recorded 25 additional zenith sky-view scans in the nominal fixed integration sampling mode (between 1411 and 1419 UTC); this was followed by a calibration sequence in the same nominal sampling mode, concluding the morning testing at 1440 UTC. Later in the day the SDL team was able to troubleshoot the tracking anomaly, make some modifications (e.g., replacing a gimbal cable), and demonstrate tracking capability (w/o undesired jitter movement) making use of the sun. The AERI-05 data is again questionable prior to the zenith view data as there were numerous instances of people walking through the scene view. Tomorrow, Wednesday, appears to be the last opportunity to view the moon in darkness and also an optimum opportunity to execute the Atmospheric Variation Event (AVE) before weather conditions rapidly degrade to unacceptable test conditions. We have devised a plan that will allow attempting both measurement objectives tomorrow; the priority, however, will be to achieve a successful AVE. Activities are scheduled to begin at 1015 UTC, allowing sufficient time for the lunar viewing portion of the MSE (if tracking performance is acceptable) and associated data spooling prior to starting the AVE (which is expected to run between 1200 and 2200 UTC).