![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ssec.wisc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2018\/10\/Jun_Li-300x200.jpg\")
CIMSS scientist and co-author Jun Li, led the study to investigate the utility of using IR sounders as a way to augment global weather observations. Credit: Jun Li<\/p><\/div>\n
The study, led by CIMSS scientist Jun Li, investigated the utility of using hyperspectral infrared (IR) sounders as a way to augment global coverage of weather data by conducting an experiment known as an Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE). Since developing a new observing system is expensive, the OSSE allows researchers to develop simulated atmospheric parameters and test them in existing models to see how they perform. Their paper was published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences in September 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cInfrared sounders serve an important role because of their strength in gathering precise, vertical temperature, pressure, and moisture profiles of the atmosphere,\u201d says Li. \u201cA hyperspectral IR sounder on a geostationary satellite also provides better temporal resolution and can be valuable for forecasting cases of rapidly changing weather.\u201d<\/p>\n
For decades, IR sounders have been carried on polar orbiting satellites<\/a> with a few exceptions. While the current array of polar orbiting satellites provides strong global coverage, there are inherent drawbacks to the system, namely temporal coverage. A geostationary IR sounder on the other hand, excels at observing rapidly developing weather systems from a fixed location.<\/p>\n \u201cBy having the capacity to continuously observe the atmosphere from a fixed location, you have a sentinel to see the genesis of weather systems,\u201d says Li.<\/p>\n As part of a global observation system, geostationary weather satellites offer the advantage of seeing the Earth’s weather from fixed location. Image captured by GOES-16 Advanced Baseline Imager. Credit: CIMSS, NOAA<\/p><\/div>\n Li says that based on their research, a hyperspectral IR sounder over the U.S. would provide valuable information for the field of Numerical Weather Prediction, in addition to expanding global coverage. Compared to imagers like the GOES-16 Advanced Baseline Imager which provides a breadth of channels, a hyperspectral IR sounder can provide the depth of information to better understand atmospheric variables like water vapor.<\/p>\n Li and his colleagues are not alone in recognizing the utility of placing hyperspectral IR sounders aboard geostationary satellites. The World Meteorological Organization\u2019s \u201cVision for the GOS [Global Observation System] in 2025<\/a>\u201d recommends a fleet of at least six geostationary satellites equipped with hyperspectral IR sounders (in addition to high-resolution multi-spectral Visible\/IR imagers and lightning imagers).<\/p>\n In December 2016, the China National Space Administration launched Feng Yun-4<\/a>, an experimental geostationary satellite equipped with the Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) and the European Space Agency (in partnership with European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) is planning to launch their Meteosat Third Generation<\/a> satellite with an infrared sounder (IRS) in the coming years.<\/p>\n \u201cThe OSSE is one perspective to demonstrate the utility of adding more hyperspectral IR sounders on geostationary satellites,\u201d says Li. \u201cWe are looking forward to working with the real-time data coming in from the GIIRS sounder and incorporating it into models to better understand ways to improve forecasts.\u201d<\/p>\n This work was supported by the Space Science and Engineering Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ssec.wisc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2018\/10\/Full_disk_October_2018-copy-300x114.jpg\")
<\/a>