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Remote Sensing of Mesoscale Vortices in Hurricane Eyewalls

Discover the importance of observing mesoscale vortices in hurricane eyewalls using remote sensing technology, such as MODIS, AVHRR, and NEXRAD.

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Remote Sensing of Mesoscale Vortices in Hurricane Eyewalls

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  1. Remote Sensing of Mesoscale Vortices in Hurricane Eyewalls Presented by: Chris Castellano Brian Cerruti Stephen Garbarino

  2. Abstract • A phenomena observed only by remote sensing and new high resolution technology • Important to observe because they may play a significant role in the dynamics of the inner structures of hurricanes • Without remote sensing instruments like MODIS, AVHRR, and NEXRAD mesoscale vortices would remain undetected.

  3. Overview • Platforms • TERRA/AQUA • NOAA 15,16,17 • WSR-88D Units • Sensors • MODIS • AVHRR • NEXRAD • Products

  4. Platforms • TERRA/AQUA • NOAA 15, 16, 17 • WSR-88D

  5. TERRA Satellite (EOS-AM1) • Multinational, multidiscipline mission • Managed by NASA with partners in Canada and Japan • Planned 15 year data set to be collected; began in February 2000 • Sun Synchronous

  6. TERRA Continued • Descending time: 10:30am • Ascending time: 1:30pm • Dimensions: 5.99 x 1.7 x 2.0 meters • Weight: 5190kg • Power: 2530 W on average MODIS MOPITT CERES MISR ASTER

  7. AQUA Satellite (EOS-PM1) • Launched to collect data about the earths water cycle • Shares some of the same instruments in its payload as TERRA satellite • First of the “Afternoon” Satellites • Also uses a sun synchronous orbit

  8. AQUA Continued • Descending time: 1:30pm • Ascending time: 10:30am • Dimensions: 4.8 x 16.7 x 8 meters • Mission Life: 6 years • Weight: 2,934 kg • Power: 4,860 W on average

  9. NOAA 15 • Launched: May 1998 • Operational Status: AM secondary • Altitude: 807 km • Inclination: 98.5 degrees • Period: 100.1 minutes • Carries a variety of instruments including AVHRR

  10. NOAA 16 • Launched: September 2000 • Operational Status: PM secondary • Altitude: 849 km • Inclination: 99 degrees • Period: 102.1 minutes • All instruments on NOAA 15 plus one additional instrument

  11. NOAA 17 • Launched: June 2002 • Operational Status: AM backup • Altitude: 810 km • Inclination: 98.7 degrees • Period: 101.2 minutes • All instruments on NOAA 16

  12. NOAA 15 Before Launch

  13. WSR-88D • Weather Surveillance Radar 1988 Doppler • Detects precipitation and atmospheric movement (wind) • Three modes • Clear air mode (slow scanning) • Precipitation mode (faster scanning) • Severe weather mode (very fast scanning)

  14. Sensors • MODIS • TERRA and AQUA Satellites • AVHRR • NOAA 15, 16, 17 Satellites • NEXRAD • WSR-88D Units

  15. MODIS • Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer • On board both the Terra (am) and Aqua (pm) satellites • Provides high resolution radiometric sensitivity • Global coverage every 1-2 days

  16. MODIS continued • Range: 0.4um to 14.4um • 36 spectral bands • 2 have Nadir Resolution: 250 m • 5 have 500 m resolution • Rest have 1km resolution • +- 5 degrees scanning pattern • Altitude: 705 km • Achieves 2,330 km swath

  17. MODIS continued • Uses a whiskbroom scanning method to collect data • The optical system uses a two mirror off-axis a-focal telescope • Directs energy to 4 refractive objective assemblies • One for each • Vis • NIR • SW/MW IR • LW IR

  18. MODIS continued • Uses a photodiode-silicon technology for visible and NIR to reduce noise • Has 4 on board calibrators as well as a view to space to keep the measurements accurate

  19. MODIS Imagery • Hurricane Isabel • Visible band • 13 September 2003

  20. MODIS Imagery • Hurricane Katrina • Terra Satellite • 28 August 2005

  21. MODIS Imagery • Hurricane Wilma • 21 October 2005

  22. AVHRR • Advance very high resolution radiometer • Used to remotely determine cloud cover and “surface temperature” • Whiskbroom scanner • At 833km the IFOV 1.1 x 1.1km at nadir • 4 site revisitations per day • 6 different channels

  23. AVHRR continued

  24. AVHRR Imagery • Hurricane Katrina • NOAA-15 • 28 August 2005

  25. AVHRR Imagery • Hurricane Isabel • NOAA-15 • 15 September 2003

  26. AVHRR Imagery • Hurricane Dean • NOAA-16 • 20 August 2007

  27. NEXRAD • Determines location and intensity of precipitation, wind speed to/from the radar site, as well as several other products (VIL, storm tracks, etc.) • 16 tilts (data levels ) are available • .6 x .6 miles resolution out to 143 miles for base reflectivity at 0.5 degrees (tilt 1)

  28. NEXRAD continued • Clear air mode • 5 elevation angles • Precipitation mode • 9 elevation angles • Severe weather mode • 14 elevation angles • Sub-mode of precipitation mode, not regularly delineated from it

  29. NEXRAD continued • How does radar work? • Creates EM pulse focused by an antenna transmitted through the atmosphere • Objects within range scatter and reflect the energy • Energy returning to the radar is called an echo • Large target = stronger echo (hail) • Many targets = stronger echo (heavy precip)

  30. NEXRAD continued

  31. NEXRAD continued

  32. NEXRAD continued • What is important for our use? • Base Radial Velocity • Measurement of movement of particles to/from radar • Storm Relative Radial Velocity • 4 tilts, storm motion is subtracted from the base radial velocity

  33. NEXRAD Imagery

  34. NEXRAD Imagery

  35. Summary • Platforms • TERRA/AQUA • NOAA 15,16,17 • WSR-88D Units • Sensors • MODIS • AVHRR • NEXRAD • Products

  36. Questions?…sometimes you don't need a satellite… International Space Station Sept 13, 2003

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