GHRC News

Four GPM Satellite Simulated Orbit Datasets Published

GHRC has published 4 satellite simulated orbit datasets for GPM Ground Validation research as part of the Global Precipitation Measurement mission. The GPM Ground Validation Satellite Simulator Orbits Database datasets are available for several campaigns: Light Precipitation Evaluation Experiment (LPVEX), Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) , Canadian Cloudsat/Calipso Validation Project (C3VP), and Tropical Warm Pool - International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE). This orbital database takes account for the atmospheric profiles, the cloud/rain profiles, and the detailed surface/terrain information from the Cloud-Resolving Model (CRM) database. Unique geometry and antenna gain patters of each sensor (GMI imager, GMI sounder, DPR Ku, DPR Ka_MA, DPR Ka_HS) are considered. The Orbital database consists of satellite orbit parameters, geolocation of IFOV/EFOV and satellite location, and simulated L1B/L2-like parameters in satellite orbital grid. Orbital data covers a portion of sampling right over the Cloud-resolving model (CRM) domain. All orbital data format is NetCDF3, and contains dimensions, parameter descriptions, and parameter units. Each project's data is distributed as a separate dataset. MC3E occurred in Oklahoma, USA in 2011; LPVEX took place in Finland in 2010; C3VP experiment was held in Canada in 2007; and TWP-ICE took place in Australia in 2006.

GCPEX APR-2 Dataset Released

GCPEX logo GHRC has released GPM Ground Validation Airborne Second Generation Precipitation Radar (APR-2) GCPEx dataset. The Second Generation Airborne Precipitation Radar (APR-2) is a dual-frequency (13 GHz and 35 GHz), Doppler, dual-polarization radar system. It has a downward looking antenna that performs cross track scans, covering a swath that is +/- 25 to each side of the aircraft path. Additional features include: simultaneous dual-frequency, matched beam operation at 13.4 and 35.6 GHz (same as GPM Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar), simultaneous measurement of both like- and cross-polarized signals at both frequencies, Doppler operation, and real-time pulse compression (so that calibrated reflectivity data can be produced for large areas in the field during flight, if necessary). The APR-2 flew aboard the NASA DC-8 for the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) from 11 January to 25 February, 2012.

GHRC Represented at the Earth Cube Real-time Workshop

Dr. Sara Graves and Ken Keiser represented GHRC at the Earth Cube Real-time Workshop in Boulder, CO, June 17-18. The workshop was held at UCAR and sponsored by NSF. GHRC presentations covered data management, visualization and collaboration activities for GPM Ground Validation; data provenance tools developed for the AMSR-E SIPS at GHRC; and new data search and analysis technologies being developed in the GHRC Innovations Laboratory.

MC3E Chill and Pawnee Radar Dataset Documentation Complete

GHRC has completed documentation for the MC3E GPM Ground Validation Chill and Pawnee Radar datasets. These radar were located at the CSU-CHILL location were collected to support the NASA ER-2 instrumentation for the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E), a GPM Ground Validation field campaign.

IFloodS Field Campaign Begins Initial Phase

The initial phase of the Iowa Flood Studies field campaign has begun. IFloodS is the first of several hydrology-oriented field efforts that the GPM Ground Validation (GV) program is conducting. GHRC is providing a collaboration portal for the field campaign team to exchange data and information including instrument status, mission science reports, weather forecasts and preliminary science data. We have already begun collecting instrument data and model output for the region. More instruments will come online throughout April in preparation for the official start of the campaign on May 1. During the field campaign, access to the collaboration portal and quicklook data is restricted to team members. We expect to begin receiving and publishing quality controlled data products from the mission in approximately six months.

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