{"id":3121,"date":"2007-10-11T11:26:47","date_gmt":"2007-10-11T16:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ssec.wisc.edu\/news\/?p=3121"},"modified":"2013-06-14T15:32:05","modified_gmt":"2013-06-14T20:32:05","slug":"monthly-news-summary-october-2007","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ssec.wisc.edu\/news\/articles\/3121","title":{"rendered":"Monthly News Summary – October 2007"},"content":{"rendered":"

Visualizing the future with McIDAS-V<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"oct2007_mug\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Image Courtesy of Maciek Smuga-Otto<\/em><\/p>\n

SSEC’s Tom Rink demonstrated HYDRA, a Java-based tool to visualize and analyze large local or remote datasets. As a part of McIDAS-V, HYRDA will allow users to work with hyperspectral and multispectral data.<\/div>\n

After 35 years, the legacy of SSEC\u2019s geophysical data processing software continues. From October 16-18, more than 60 programmers and scientists gathered to discuss and try out the next step in the evolution of\u00a0McIDAS<\/a>. Attendees included many members of the McIDAS Users\u2019 Group (MUG)\u2014some of whom traveled from around the world.<\/p>\n

The conference kicked off with an overview of the current state of satellite data options, including acquisition and processing. In addition to a summary of current weather satellite capabilities, participants heard about SSEC\u2019s current online data archive and data ingestion facilities.\u00a0Jay Heinzleman\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Dave Santek\u00a0<\/strong>also gave a presentation about recent updates to the current iteration of McIDAS\u2014McIDAS-X.<\/p>\n

After assessing the present, the conference switched to focus on the future of satellite data analysis and visualization tools.\u00a0Steve Ackerman<\/strong>\u00a0explained why users need the functions that McIDAS-V will offer in the hyperspectral age. \u00a0After lunch the group was given the first public viewing of McIDAS-V.Jessica Staude<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Becky Schaffer<\/strong>\u00a0gave a demonstration of the new software. \u00a0A lively group discussion followed.<\/p>\n

During the final day of the conference, attendees had the chance to try out the alpha version of McIDAS-V. McIDAS development coordinators hope to offer a free download of a beta version McIDAS-V some time this winter. Check out\u00a0the meeting summary page<\/a>\u00a0for links to presentations, the participant survey and\u00a0the McIDAS commercials.<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/a>Redecorating the roof<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"oct2007_radiometers\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Image Courtesy of Maciek Smuga-Otto<\/em><\/p>\n

With support from NSF, SSEC recently added two new instruments to the rooftop suite. Data from these instruments will enhance that obtained from the center’s existing collection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Perhaps you\u2019ve seen the two new \u201cmailboxes\u201d on the SSEC roof, and wondered, \u201cWhat are those?\u201d Well, they are two new microwave radiometers obtained through a Major Research Initiative grant from NSF.\u00a0 These radiometers compliment the suite of instruments that SSEC has deployed on the roof and in the \u2018Bago. SSEC uses the collection to support field experiments around the world.<\/p>\n

The two new instruments expand our wealth of information about the atmosphere.\u00a0 The blue radiometer provides observations that scientists can use to create profiles of the temperature and water vapor in the air above the radiometer.\u00a0 The instrument also assesses the total amount of water vapor and liquid water. The gray radiometer gathers observations that are about three times more sensitive to liquid water than the measurements from the other radiometer, so the gray instrument provides more accurate estimates of liquid water in the clouds above it.\u00a0 Both radiometers are hardened instruments and are designed to collect data 24\/7 in all weather conditions.<\/p>\n

Dave Turner<\/strong>,\u00a0Erik Olson<\/strong>, and others continue to work with the vendor to understand the operational nuances of the systems and to optimize these radiometers for our use at SSEC.<\/p>\n

–Dave Turner<\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/a>Joining forces as partners for our\u00a0weather, climate and environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"oct2007_amsterdam\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Many SSEC scientists attended the joint meeting in Amsterdam.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

With the word \u2018global\u2019 taking on increasing significance in conversations about our planet\u2019s weather, climate and environment, Europe and the U.S. joined together to organize a conference to promote developments in the use of environmental satellites in studies of the Earth. Following an initiative first proposed almost six years ago by SSEC scientist\u00a0Chris Velden<\/strong>, EUMETSAT and NOAA joined with AMS to host the joint conference in September 2007. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute graciously agreed to serve as the local host and the stage was set in Amsterdam, the Netherlands\u2014a beautiful city sometimes called \u201cthe Venice of the North.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps inspired by the interest of operational and research communities and the very attractive venue, over 600 participants attended the conference. Organizers believe that this meeting took the record as the largest gathering of environmental satellite scientists, researchers and operators. Due to the number of participants, the conference\u2019s Scientific Programme Committee, which included\u00a0Wayne Feltz<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Tim Schmit<\/strong>, elected to choose a limited number of oral presentations with a select few as keynote speeches. The vast majority of the abstracts were featured during poster sessions.<\/p>\n

\n

High quality presentations and posters covered ten topics:<\/p>\n