THE ATMOSPHERIC INFRARED SOUNDER AIRS SCIENCE TEAM MEETING CALTECH - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

, THE ATMOSPHERIC INFRARED SOUNDER AIRS SCIENCE TEAM MEETING CALTECH – PASADENA, CA March 7-10, 2006

National Aeronautics and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California Pasadena, California http://airs.jpl.nasa.gov AIRS-AMSU-HSB on the NASA Aqua mission both improve operational weather prediction and provide Global high quality research data for climate studies . 2 2

National Aeronautics and National Aeronautics and National Aeronautics and AIRS AIRS Space Administration Space Administration Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology California Institute of Technology California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California Pasadena, California Atmospheric Infrared Sounder Launched May 2002 into polar orbit on Aqua, the AIRS instrument has AIRS/AMSU/HSB maintained flawless operations with superb calibration accuracy and stability. Global data have been distributed to Numerical Weather Prediction Centers Accomplishments since September 2002. AIRS expected lifetime runs through 2009. Improving Weather Tropospheric Hydrology Cycle Prediction Greenhouse Gases Mapping the tropospheric AIRS achieved an • CO 2 , CO, CH 4 , O 3 , SO 2 water vapor (Earth’s improvement of 6 hours in 6 • Global CO map published primary greenhouse gas) days within NOAA • First global CO 2 map in 3 operational forecasts preparation 3

National Aeronautics and National Aeronautics and Infrared Radiance Spectra Can be Infrared Radiance Spectra Can be Space Administration Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jet Propulsion Laboratory Assimilated to Improve Weather Forecasts California Institute of Technology California Institute of Technology Assimilated to Improve Weather Forecasts Pasadena, California Pasadena, California AIRS on Aqua Improved Forecast Prediction (6 hours in 6 Days) Northern Hemisphere* N. Hemisphere 500 mb AC Z 20N - 80N Waves 1-20 1 Jan - 27 Jan '04 1 0.95 Anomaly Correlation 0.9 0.85 Ops 0.8 Ops+AIRS 0.75 AIRS Produces Accurate and 0.7 Improved Forecast of 0.65 Stable Radiances which are 0.6 Hurricane Intensity and 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Assimilated by NWP Models Forecast [days] Tracks “The forecast improvement accomplishment alone makes the AIRS project well worth the American taxpayers’ investment” Said Dr. Mary Cleave, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate 4 4

National Aeronautics and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California Pasadena, California From From JSCDA JSCDA Quarterly Quarterly December December 15, 2005 15, 2005 “The Gold Medal is the Department of Commerce “ The Gold Medal is the Department of Commerce’ ’s highest award and recognizes s highest award and recognizes distinguished performance by extraordinary, notable or prestigious contributions us contributions distinguished performance by extraordinary, notable or prestigio that impact the Department’ ’s mission s mission” ” that impact the Department 5 5

National Aeronautics and National Aeronautics and Atmospheric Composition Research Atmospheric Composition Research Space Administration Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jet Propulsion Laboratory Products Look Encouraging California Institute of Technology California Institute of Technology Products Look Encouraging Pasadena, California Pasadena, California � Ozone Ozone � • • Match TOMS to better than 5% Match TOMS to better than 5% except over ice. except over ice. • Achieved Day or Night, Globally • Achieved Day or Night, Globally � SO2 SO2 � • • AIRS distinguishes ash AIRS distinguishes ash cloud from SO2 gas cloud from SO2 gas � CO CO � • • Accurate to 15% in NH Accurate to 15% in NH • • Good Sensitivity Good Sensitivity � CH4 CH4 � • First retrievals show • First retrievals show expected behavior expected behavior � CO2 CO2 � • Accurate to 1.2 ppm • Accurate to 1.2 ppm • Mid Troposphere (500 mb) • Mid Troposphere (500 mb) � Aerosols Aerosols � 6 • Silicate signatures allow dust 6 • Silicate signatures allow dust identification identification

National Aeronautics and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Administration AIRS Water Vapor AIRS Water Vapor Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California Pasadena, California The small fraction of The small fraction of ~5% of water molecules ~5% of water molecules above 500hpa altitude above 500hpa altitude produce about 50% the produce about 50% the total greenhouse effect total greenhouse effect of the atmosphere. of the atmosphere. Water vapor is the most active greenhouse gas in our atmosphere Water vapor is the most active greenhouse gas in our atmosphere and its effect increases with altitudes where the air is significantly cantly and its effect increases with altitudes where the air is signifi colder than the ground. colder than the ground. 7 7

National Aeronautics and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California Pasadena, California Journal Publications Journal Publications 120 scientific publications to date 120 scientific publications to date 8 8

National Aeronautics and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Administration Publish using AIRS Data Please! Publish using AIRS Data Please! Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California Pasadena, California � The Scientific Literature is the best way to The Scientific Literature is the best way to � communicate the results of your science, build communicate the results of your science, build confidence in your work and record your findings confidence in your work and record your findings for future generations for future generations � NASA Headquarters uses publications to gauge NASA Headquarters uses publications to gauge � the benefit of the missions to the science the benefit of the missions to the science community community � AIRS has over 120 scientific publications to date AIRS has over 120 scientific publications to date � (not counting instrument development or (not counting instrument development or calibration) calibration) � AIRS publications address a wide variety of AIRS publications address a wide variety of � science questions science questions � Significant science findings can become press Significant science findings can become press- - � releases when papers are published. Good for releases when papers are published. Good for scientists, and good for NASA scientists, and good for NASA 9 9