Operations Updates
ARM Climate Research Facility Operations Update - December 15, 2006
This bimonthly report provides a brief summary of significant accomplishments and activities in the operations area of the ARM Climate Research Facility (ACRF).
Diffuse Irradiance Study to Set Measurement Standard
A subset of pyranometers used in the diffuse irradiance study collect data from the roof of the SGP radiometer calibration facility.
Scientists use an assortment of sophisticated remote-sensing instruments to obtain measurements of cloud and other atmospheric properties for climate research. A pyranometer is an instrument that measures how much solar radiation is scattered by molecules and particles in the atmosphere. The pyranometer is mounted to "solar trackers" that follow the path of the sun, continuously blocking the direct sunlight so that only diffuse irradiance (skylight) is measured by the instrument. This measurement is critical for validating cloudy-sky, as well as clear-sky radiative transfer codes used in global climate models. However, diffuse irradiance does not currently have an absolute standard such as the absolute cavity radiometer used to measure direct solar radiation. For nearly 2 weeks in October, the ACRF Southern Great Plains (SGP) site hosted a collection of four pyranometers on two solar trackers to compare their measurements and ultimately define a diffuse irradiance working standard for ARM.
The goal of the diffuse irradiance study was to obtain simultaneous measurements with well-characterized, shaded pyranometers, pre-selected based on past performance in two previous diffuse irradiance studies held in September and October of 2001 and in October 2003. All pyranometers used in the current study were characterized in the laboratory for angular and spectral response prior to the start of the two-week study. Based on their performance, ARM scientists hope to select a set of these pyranometers that will establish a working standard of diffuse horizontal shortwave irradiance for the ARM science team. Though this measurement has vastly improved in recent years, biases remain that researchers expect to resolve with results from the diffuse irradiance study.
Educational Kiosk Installed at ACRF Site in Nauru
Nauruan students crowd around the new ARM educational kiosk to learn more about climate change.
Surround by the Pacific Ocean, the Republic of Nauru is one of three sites that make up the ACRF Tropical Western Pacific (TWP) locale. With a livelihood and economy driven largely by a dependence on environmental conditions, inhabitants of the small island of Nauru have a keen understanding of the importance of weather and climate. On November 8, 2006, ARM Education and Outreach staff installed the Climate Change: Science and Traditional Knowledge kiosk developed specifically for the community of Nauru. More than 30 students, along with their teachers, attended the official launch of the kiosk, located at the departure lounge of the Nauru Airport. The primary purpose of the kiosk is to encourage students to take an interest in learning about weather and climate, and to promote awareness of the research ARM is doing on the island.
Beginning in 2003, ARM Education and Outreach staff interviewed elders and community leaders about their observations of climate change on the island. Several scientists from the ARM Program and Australian Bureau of Meteorology were interviewed to provide scientific information about climate, including their research from data obtained at the ACRF site at Nauru. All this information was compiled into a touch-screen kiosk and translated into Nauruan, the native language of the people of Nauru.
Elders who attended the opening were presented with certificates of appreciation from the ACRF Education and Outreach Coordinator for their contributions to the kiosk, and the TWP Site Manager thanked the Nauruan government for its ongoing support of ARM's research on the island. In addition, ARM Education and Outreach staff presented Mr. Baron Waqa, Minister of Education in Nauru, with four computers for classroom use. Mr. Waqa attended the official launch in support of the kiosk. "ARM has had a presence in our schools for many years," Mr. Waqa said, "I hope the working relationship continues."
