News Archive
January - March 2007
3/22/2007 - GEWEX News Features Dust Data from ARM Mobile Facility Deployment
Data from the recent deployment of the ARM Mobile Facility are featured in the February issue of GEWEX News.
The February 2007 issue (Vol. 17, No. 1) of GEWEX News features early results from special observing periods of the African Monsoon Mutidisciplinary Analysis, including data obtained by the ARM Mobile Facility (AMF). The AMF was stationed in the central Sahel from January through December 2006, with the primary facility at the Niamey airport, and an ancillary site in Banizoumbou. The AMF recorded a major dust storm that passed through the area in March, and combined with simultaneous satellite observations, allowed scientists to study the effects of dust on the radiant energy budget of an atmospheric column.
2/26/2007 - Radiative Heating in Unexplored Bands Campaign Begins Today
This chart shows the spectral and height dependence of the infrared cooling rates for a mid-latitude summer profile. Note that the majority of the infrared cooling in the middle and upper tropsphere occurs in spectral regions that RHUBC will investigate. (Larger image.)
In conjunction with other scientific activities taking place during International Polar Year 2007-2008, today (February 26) an international research team begins a three-week field campaign in Barrow, Alaska. The Radiative Heating in Unexplored Bands Campaign (RHUBC), which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility, uses a new suite of sophisticated instruments to provide the first simultaneous high-resolution dataset of Arctic clear sky and cirrus cloud properties in the far-infrared. This information will provide more accurate measurements about atmospheric properties in the Arctic to improve computer models that simulate Arctic climate. See the full story.
1/11/2007 - ARM Mobile Facility Moves to China in 2008 for Study of Aerosol Impacts on Climate
Onshore winds and a mountain range to the west of Shanghai form a natural basin which traps particulates in the air above the Yangtze River delta region. (Illustration courtesy of Patricia Ebrey, University of Washington)
China generates exceptionally high amounts of aerosol particles whose influence on the atmosphere has been detected across the Pacific Rim. In the Yangtze River delta in southeast China, these high aerosol loadings result from both natural and manmade sources. With a subtropical climate characterized by marine monsoons, atmospheric conditions in this region change quickly but in a cyclic nature. Thus, the area is a good location to collect continuous data that will help scientists identify and quantify the climate effects of aerosols. Unfortunately, China is one of the least observed regions in the world, especially in terms of aerosol and cloud properties.
In 2008, the ARM Mobile Facility (AMF) will be deployed near Shanghai—the largest industrial city in China—to acquire essential cloud, aerosol, radiative, and meteorological measurements. An ancillary site will be established near Beijing, north of Shanghai, to obtain comparative measurements. The two sites are located in regions with different climate regimes—Shanghai being generally warm and humid, and Beijing experiencing hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters—and with high aerosol loadings of different optical, physical, chemical properties.
Preliminary analyses of multiple satellite datasets indicate more complex and unique aerosol indirect effects—such as cloud reflectivity and precipitation processes—in China than are found in relatively cleaner environments. Both in-situ measurements and independent ground-based remote sensing data are needed to verify the satellite findings and gain a deeper understanding of these effects. Measurements obtained by the AMF in China during the 1-year Aerosol Indirect Effects Study will help scientists to validate satellite-based findings, understand the mechanisms of the aerosol indirect effects in the region, and examine the roles of aerosols in affecting regional climate and atmospheric circulation, with a special focus on the impact of the East Asian monsoon system.
Events
3/9/2007 - Gordon Research Conference entitled "Radiation and Climate" will be held in New London, New Hampshire
This summer's Gordon Research Conference, "Radiation and Climate," will be held at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire and will take place July 29 - August 3. The chairs for this year's conference are Bill Collins and Phil Russell, and the vice-chairs are Qiang Fu and Christian Jakob. The theme of the fifth Gordon Research Conference on Radiation and Climate is "Integrating multiscale measurements and models for key climate questions." The meeting will feature lectures, posters, and discussion regarding these issues. The meeting will focus on insights from new types of satellite and in situ data and from new approaches to modeling processes in the climate system.
More information about this meeting is located under the main GRC website.
2/7/2007 - 2nd International AMMA Conference Announces Call for Abstracts
The African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) will hold its second international conference on the West African Monsoon in Karlsruhe-Leopoldshafen, Germany, November 26-30, 2007. Aiming to bring researchers together from around the world, conference themes will focus on the following:
- West African monsoon and global climate
- Water cycle
- Land surface-atmosphere feedbacks
- Prediction of climate impacts
- High impact weather predication and predictability.
- Climate modelling
- Long-term observations
The deadline for paper submission is July 15, 2007; more information on submissions will be included in the second announcement. For more information, see the first announcement on the AMMA website.
2/2/2007 - Call for Papers Issued for Polar Clouds and Aerosols Session
Papers are now being accepted for the "Polar Clouds and Aerosols: Properties, processes, and climatic significance" session at the joint meeting of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographical Society, Canadian Geophysical Union, and American Meteorological Society (CMOS-CGU-AMS) being held on May 28 - June 1, 2007, in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
Abstracts must be submitted by Thursday, February 15, 2007, at the CMOS-CGU-AMS website, which is available at http://www.cmos2007.ca.
1/15/2007 - 7th Asian Lidar Conference to be Held in Bangkok July 31
The 7th Asian Lidar Conference will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, July 31 - August 3, 2007. This year, the conference will be held as a special session during the 4th Annual Meeting of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS). The AOGS is an international society founded in 2003 to promote cooperation and discussion among scientists in Asia on the Earth, its environment and oceania, and planetary and space sciences. Traditionally, this conference provides a discussion forum for the lidar activities in Asia. Other discussion topics may include dust and aerosol observations, temperature and wind measurements, upper atmosphere and space Lidar, new technologies, and related research including sunphotometers, satellite observations, modeling, and ground-based measurements. Abstracts are due February 15 and can be submitted online at the AOGS2007 website.
Employment Opportunities
3/26/2007 - Brookhaven National Laboratory Seeks Postdoctoral Research Associate
Brookhaven National Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to work on a project that investigates (1) the role of entropy in shaping earth's climate and climate change, and (2) macroscopic principles such as the maximum entropy production principle that govern the weather/climate systems. This position requires a Ph.D. in atmospheric science or related field and experience in climate models, especially energy balance models. Familiarity with radiation transfer, satellite data, and cloud physics is highly desirable as well as the ability to run/analyze climate models of different levels of complexities and compare simulation results with observations (e.g., satellite data).
For more information on this position, please contact Dr. Yangang Liu at lyg@bnl.gov or 631-344-3266.
3/9/2007 - American Geophysical Union in Search of Public Affairs Manager
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) is in search of a public affairs manager to work with members and policy professionals in other societies to achieve AGU's long-term goals. The responsibilities of the AGU public affairs manager will include the following:
- establish relationships with individuals in the U.S. legislative and executive branches of government so that policy makers turn to AGU as a valuable and authoritative resource for scientific input to the decision process
- monitor legistlation, regulation, and federal budgets
- assist in providing appropriate expertise and testimony from the AGU community
- develop communication mechanisms and vehicles that help members understand how they can effectively participate in the development of public policy.
The successful candidate will have an advanced degree in discipline related to the earth and space studies, related work experience, excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to translate scientific material easily and effectively for an educated public. The position is located at AGU headquarters in Washington, D.C.
To apply, send a letter of interest, resume, and salary requirements to AGU's HR department via email to resumes@agu.org or fax +1.202.777.7390.
3/9/2007 - Scripps Institute of Oceanography Seeks Assistant, Associate, or Full Professors
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California in San Diego invites applications to fill one or more positions at the assistant, associate (tenured) or full professor (tenured) levels in fields related to the physical, chemical or biological basis of natural and anthropogenic climate change. We seek an interdisciplinary scientist and educator to establish a vigorous research program and to provide intellectual leadership in climate related issues to the broader Scripps community of scientists.
The successful candidate will be expected to teach graduate level courses, both in the general area of climate sciences as well as in specialized areas of research, and will be encouraged to participate in undergraduate teaching at UC San Diego. The position requires a PhD degree and a competitive record of publication consistent with opportunity, as well as evidence of the ability to conduct and fund an active research program and, for more senior candidates, of the ability to mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
Review of applications will begin December 21, 2006, and will continue until positions are filled. Applicants should send a letter including descriptions of their teaching experience, research interests, a list of publications, and the names of at least five potential referees to:
Chair, Climate Sciences Search Committee
Department of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography
University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla CA 92093-0208 USA
1/11/2007 - Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cloud Modeling Open at the University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne invites applications from suitably qualified persons to fill a new position in cloud modeling. This Postdoctoral Fellowship is funded by the Australian Research Council to conduct cloud-scale modeling of tropical convection that was observed during the recent Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE). TWP-ICE was a large international field experiment conducted over northern Australia in January and February 2006.
The successful applicant will conduct cloud-resolving model experiments with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Research topics may include cloud dynamics, cloud microphysics and aerosols, model validation, and forecasting.
Applications should be submitted online, (use keyword search for "cloud"). Include your CV, a document outlining your claims to the selection criteria, and the names of at least three academic referees. Applications close 22 January 2007.
