Optimized ultraviolet grayscale process for high vertical resolution applied to spectral imagers

Abstract Static stability is a fundamental dynamical quantity that measures the vertical temperature stratification of the atmosphere. However, the magnitude and structure of finescale features in this field are difficult to discern in temperature data with low vertical resolution. In this study, the authors apply more than six years of high vertical resolution global positioning system radio occultation temperature profiles to document the long-term mean structure and variability of the global static stability field in the stratosphere and upper troposphere. The most pronounced feature in the long-term mean static stability field is the well-known transition from low values in the troposphere to high values in the stratosphere. Superposed on this general structure are a series of finer-scale features: a minimum in static stability in the tropical upper troposphere, a broad band of high static stability in the tropical stratosphere, increases in static stability within the core of the stratospheric polar vortices, and a shallow but pronounced maximum in static stability just above the tropopause at all latitudes [i.e., the “tropopause inversion layer” (TIL)]. The results shown here provide the first global survey of static stability using high vertical resolution data and also uncover two novel aspects of the static stability field. In the tropical lower stratosphere, the results reveal a unique vertically and horizontally varying static stability structure, with maxima located at ∼17 and ∼19 km. The upper feature peaks during the NH cold season and has its largest magnitude between 10° and 15° latitude in both hemispheres; the lower feature exhibits a weaker seasonal cycle and is centered at the equator. The results also demonstrate that the strength of the TIL is closely tied to stratospheric dynamic variability. The magnitude of the TIL is enhanced following sudden stratospheric warmings in the polar regions and the easterly phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation in the tropics.

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Evaluation of Regional Aircraft Observations Using TAMDAR

Weather and Forecasting ◽

10.1175/2009waf2222321.1 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 627-645 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

William R. Moninger ◽

Stanley G. Benjamin ◽

Brian D. Jamison ◽

Thomas W. Schlatter ◽

Tracy Lorraine Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Relative Humidity ◽

Data Assimilation ◽

Meteorological Data ◽

Time Range ◽

Observation System ◽

Vertical Resolution ◽

Commercial Aircraft ◽

Aircraft Observation ◽

Aircraft Observations ◽

High Vertical Resolution

Abstract A multiyear evaluation of a regional aircraft observation system [Tropospheric Aircraft Meteorological Data Reports (TAMDAR)] is presented. TAMDAR observation errors are compared with errors in traditional reports from commercial aircraft [aircraft meteorological data reports (AMDAR)], and the impacts of TAMDAR observations on forecasts from the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) over a 3-yr period are evaluated. Because of the high vertical resolution of TAMDAR observations near the surface, a novel verification system has been developed and employed that compares RUC forecasts against raobs every 10 hPa; this revealed TAMDAR-related positive impacts on RUC forecasts—particularly for relative humidity forecasts—that were not evident when only raob mandatory levels were considered. In addition, multiple retrospective experiments were performed over two 10-day periods, one in winter and one in summer; these allowed for the assessment of the impacts of various data assimilation strategies and varying data resolutions. TAMDAR’s impacts on 3-h RUC forecasts of temperature, relative humidity, and wind are found to be positive and, for temperature and relative humidity, substantial in the region, altitude, and time range over which TAMDAR-equipped aircraft operated during the studied period of analysis.

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Development of Microwave Limb Sounder

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.500.204 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 500 ◽

pp. 204-211

Author(s):

Yue Feng Zhao ◽

Jing Li

Keyword(s):

Stratospheric Ozone ◽

Vertical Resolution ◽

Jet Propulsion ◽

Upper Troposphere ◽

The Past ◽

High Vertical Resolution ◽

Temperature And Pressure ◽

Jet Propulsion Laboratory ◽

Lower Noise ◽

Higher Sensitivity

Microwave limb sounding is powerful to measure atmospheric compositions, temperature and pressure with high vertical resolution. During the past few decades many countries have developed several Microwave limb sounders to improve our understanding of stratospheric ozone chemistry and dynamics, the interaction of composition and climate and pollution in the upper troposphere. This issue will outline five existed MLS instrument and analyze their adopted techniques for lower noise and higher sensitivity as well as their capabilities comparisons. In American, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has already developed three MLS instruments: the UARS-MLS, EOS-MLS and CAMEO-SMLS which is ready for launch in 2011. In Japan, its JEM/SMILES is the first MLS instrument to use superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixers with a mechanical 4-K refrigerator in space. In Sweden, the millimeter and sub millimeter limb-emission sounder on Odin uses actively cooled Schottky receivers with auto-correlators and wide hand AOS.

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