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NASA NTRS2002

Convection and Easterly Wave Structure Observed in the Eastern Pacific Warm-Pool during EPIC-2001

During September-October 2001, the East Pacific Investigation of Climate Processes in the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere System (EPIC-2001) ITCZ field campaign focused on studies of deep convection in the warm-pool region of the East Pacific. In addition to the TAO mooring array, observational platforms deployed during the field phase included the NOAA ship RN Ronald H. Brown, the NSF ship RN Horizon, and the NOAA P-3 and NCAR C-130 aircraft. This study combines C-band Doppler radar, rawinsonde, and surface heat flux data collected aboard the RN Brown to describe ITCZ convective structure and rainfall statistics in the eastern Pacific as a function of 3-5 day easterly wave phase. Three distinct easterly wave passages occurred during EPIC-2001. Wind and thermodynamic data reveal that the wave trough axes exhibited positively correlated U and V winds and a slight westward phase tilt with height. A relatively strong (weak) northeasterly deep tropospheric shear followed the trough (ridge) axis. Temperature and humidity perturbations exhibited mid-to upper level cooling (warming) and drying (moistening) in the northerly (trough and southerly) phase. At low levels warming (cooling) occurred in the northerly (southerly) phase with little change in the relative humidity, though mixed layer mixing ratios were larger during the northerly phase. When composited, radar, sounding, lightning and surface heat flux observations suggest the following systematic behavior as a function of wave phase: approximately zero to one quarter wavelength ahead of (behind) the wave trough in northerly (southerly) flow, larger (smaller) CAPE, lower (higher) CIN, weaker (stronger) tropospheric shear, higher (lower) conditional mean rain rates, higher (lower) lightning flash densities, and more (less) robust convective vertical structure occurred. Latent and sensible heat fluxes reached a minimum in the northerly phase and then increased through the trough, reaching a peak during the ridge phase (leading the peak in CAPE). From a radar echo coverage perspective, larger areas of light rain and slightly larger (10%) area averaged rain rates occurred in the vicinity of, and just behind, the trough axes in southerly flow. Importantly, the transition in convective structure observed across the trough axis when considered with the relatively small change in area mean rain rates suggests the presence of a transition in the vertical structure of diabatic heating across the easterly waves examined. The inferred transition in heating structure is supported by radar diagnosed divergence profiles that exhibit convective (stratiform) characteristics ahead of (behind) the trough.

Peterson, Walter A.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Comparative Planetary Mineralogy: Basaltic Plagioclase from Earth, Moon, Mars and 4 Vesta

Major, minor and trace element analysis of silicates has allowed for the study of planetary basalts in a comparative planetary mineralogy context. We continue this initiative by exploring the chemistry of plagioclase feldspar in basalts from the Earth, Moon, Mars and 4 Vesta. This paper presents new data on plagioclase from six terrestrial basalt suites including Keweenawan, Island Arc, Hawaiian, Columbia Plateau, Taos Plateau, and Ocean Floor; six lunar basalt suites including Apollo 11 Low K, Apollo 12 Ilmenite, Apollo 12 Olivine, Apollo 12 Pigeonite, Apollo 15 Olivine, and Apollo 15 Pigeonite; two basaltic martian meteorites, Shergotty and QUE 94201; and one unequilibrated eucrite, Pasamonte.

Karner, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS2003

The Moon Beyond 2002

Over a hundred lunar scientists met in the clear mountain air of the Taos Ski Valley, September 12-14, 2002, to share their discoveries and, most importantly, their questions about the composition, geological evolution, and future exploration of the Moon. The wealth of data from the Clementine and Lunar Prospector missions, coupled with continued study of lunar samples, has led lunar scientists to pose sophisticated questions about the Moon. Because of the Moon's central role in planetary science, answers to these questions will help us understand the other rocky bodies in the Solar System. A fascinating array of missions is planned, including orbiting spacecraft and sample-return missions. Human habitation of the Moon may not be far beyond.

Taylor, G. Jeffrey↗

NASA NTRS2004

The Misnomer of East Asia Summer Monsoon

The terminology East Asian summer monsoon is used to refer to the heavy rainfall in southeast China including the Yangtze River Valley starting in May and ending in August (e.g., Chen and Chang 1980, Tao and Chen 1987, Ding 1992, Chang et al. 2000a.) This rainfall region is associated with the Mei-Yu front, which extends to Japan and its neighborhood and is called Baiu there. The Mei-Yu front becomes prominent in May and has a slow northward movement. From May to July the elongated rain belt moves from the southeast coast of China to the Yangtze River Valley. The rain belt extends north-east-ward to south of Japan in May and later covers Korea also. The purpose of this note is to point out that the terminology of East Asian summer monsoon is a misnomer to refer to the portion of this rainbelt residing over East Asia, in the sense that it is not a monsoon.

Chao, Winston C.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Sensor Systems Collect Critical Aerodynamics Data

With the support of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts with Dryden Flight Research Center, Tao of Systems Integration Inc. developed sensors and other components that will ultimately form a first-of-its-kind, closed-loop system for detecting, measuring, and controlling aerodynamic forces and moments in flight. The Hampton, Virginia-based company commercialized three of the four planned components, which provide sensing solutions for customers such as Boeing, General Electric, and BMW and are used for applications such as improving wind turbine operation and optimizing air flow from air conditioning systems. The completed system may one day enable flexible-wing aircraft with flight capabilities like those of birds.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2016

On the Distance to the North Polar Spur and the Local CO-H2 Factor

Aims. Most models identify the X-ray bright North Polar Spur (NPS) with a hot interstellar (IS) bubble in the Sco-Cen star-forming region at approx. = to 130 pc. An opposite view considers the NPS as a distant structure associated with Galactic nuclear outflows. Constraints on the NPS distance can be obtained by comparing the foreground IS gas column inferred from X-ray absorption to the distribution of gas and dust along the line of sight. Absorbing columns towards shadowing molecular clouds simultaneously constrain the CO-H2 conversion factor. Methods. We derived the columns of X-ray absorbing matter N(sub Habs) from spectral fitting of dedicated XMM-Newton observations towards the NPS southern terminus (l(sup II) approx. = to 29 degrees, b(sup II) approx. = to +5 to +11 degrees). The distribution of the IS matter was obtained from absorption lines in stellar spectra, 3D dust maps and emission data, including high spatial resolution CO measurements recorded for this purpose. Results. N(sub Habs) varies from approx. = to 4.3 to approx. = to 1.3 x 10(exp 21) per sq cm along the 19 fields. Relationships between X-ray brightness, absorbing column and hardness ratio demonstrate a brightness decrease with latitude governed by increasing absorption. The comparison with absorption data, local and large-scale dust maps rules out a NPS near side closer than 300 pc. The correlation between N(sub Habs) and the reddening increases with the sightline length from 300 pc to 4 kpc and is the tightest with Planck tau(sub 353GHz) -based reddening, suggesting a much larger distance. N(H)/E(B-V)(sub tao) approx. = to 4.1 x 10(exp 21) per sq cm mag, close to Fermi-Planck determinations. N(sub Habs) absolute values are compatible with HI-CO clouds at -5 less than or equal to V(sub LSR) less than or equal to +25 to +45 km/s and a NPS potentially far beyond the Local Arm. A shadow cast by a b=+9 degree molecular cloud constrains X(sub CO) in that direction to less than or equal to 1.0 x 10(exp 20) sec/((sq cm)K km). The average X(sub CO) over the fields is less than or equal to 0.75 x 10(exp 20) sec/((sq cm)K km).

X-rays: ISM / radio lines: ISM / local insterstell↗

NASA NTRS2017

The 2015-2016 El Nino and the Response of the Carbon Cycle: Findings from NASA's OCO-2 Mission

The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the most important mode of tropical climate variability on interannual to decadal time scales. Correlations between atmospheric CO2 growth rate and ENSO activity are relatively well known but the magnitude of this correlation, the contribution from tropical marine vs. terrestrial flux components, and the causal mechanisms, are poorly constrained in space and time. The launch of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) mission in July 2014 was rather timely given the development of strong ENSO conditions over the tropical Pacific Ocean in 2015-2016. In this presentation, we will discuss how the high-density observations from OCO-2 provided us with a novel dataset to resolve the linkages between El Nino and atmospheric CO2. Along with information from in situ observations of ÎpCO2 from NOAA's Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) project and atmospheric CO2 from the Scripps CO2 Program, and other remote-sensing missions, we are able to piece together the time dependent response of atmospheric CO2 concentrations over the Tropics. Our findings confirm the hypothesis from studies following the 1997-1998 El Nino event that an early reduction in CO2 outgassing from the tropical Pacific Ocean is later reversed by enhanced net CO2 emissions from the terrestrial biosphere. This implies that a component of the interannual variability (IAV) in the growth rate of atmospheric CO2, which has typically been used to constrain the climate sensitivity of tropical land carbon fluxes, is strongly influenced and modified by ocean fluxes during the early phase of the ENSO event. Our analyses shed further light on the understanding of the marine vs. terrestrial partitioning of tropical carbon fluxes during El Nino events, their relative contributions to the global atmospheric CO2 growth rate, and provide clues about the sensitivity of the carbon cycle to climate forcing on interannual time scales.

CO2↗

NASA NTRS2018

The 2015-2016 El Nino and the Response of the Carbon Cycle: Findings from NASA's OCO-2 Mission

The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the most important mode of tropical climate variability on interannual to decadal time scales. Correlations between atmospheric CO2 growth rate and ENSO activity are relatively well known but the magnitude of this correlation, the contribution from tropical marine vs. terrestrial flux components, and the causal mechanisms, are poorly constrained in space and time. The launch of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) mission in July 2014 was rather timely given the development of strong ENSO conditions over the tropical Pacific Ocean in 2015-2016. In this presentation, we will discuss how the high-density observations from OCO-2 provided us with a novel dataset to resolve the linkages between El Nino and atmospheric CO2. Along with information from in situ observations of CO2 from NOAA's Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) project and atmospheric CO2 from the Scripps CO2 Program, and other remote-sensing missions, we are able to piece together the time dependent response of atmospheric CO2 concentrations over the Tropics. Our findings confirm the hypothesis from studies following the 1997-1998 El Nino event that an early reduction in CO2 outgassing from the tropical Pacific Ocean is later reversed by enhanced net CO2 emissions from the terrestrial biosphere. This implies that a component of the interannual variability (IAV) in the growth rate of atmospheric CO2, which has typically been used to constrain the climate sensitivity of tropical land carbon fluxes, is strongly influenced and modified by ocean fluxes during the early phase of the ENSO event. Our analyses shed further light on the understanding of the marine vs. terrestrial partitioning of tropical carbon fluxes during El Nino events, their relative contributions to the global atmospheric CO2 growth rate, and provide clues about the sensitivity of the carbon cycle to climate forcing on interannual time scales.

OCO-2↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

TPSAS-NF1676L-17940-DND

The NASA/GEWEX SRB (Global Energy and Water Exchanges, Surface Radiation Budget) project produces and archives shortwave and longwave radiation budget flux estimates at the top of the atmosphere and at the Earth's surface. The latest version in the archive, Release 3.0, is available as 3-hourly, 3-hourly-monthly, daily and monthly means continuously over the period from July 1983 to December 2007 on a quasi-equal-area grid system of 44016 grid boxes. SRB Release 4 with further improvements in data quality and higher spatial resolution is being developed. The SRB shortwave/longwave fluxes at the Earth's surface from the algorithm GSW(V3.0)/GLW(V3.1) have been extensively validated against high-quality ground-based observations, in particular observed data from the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). Comparisons with nearly 6000 site-months of both shortwave and longwave data from 52 BSRN sites show generally good agreement. In addition, the GEWEX SRB data have also been found to compare favorably with the World Radiation Data Centre (WRDC) data and the Global Energy Balance Archive (GEBA) data. In spite of the fact that the BSRN sites are scattered on all seven continents, the validation of the SRB data over the vast oceans had not been done until recently. In this paper, we present comparisons of the GEWEX-SRB data shortwave/longwave data with observations made on arrays moored in tropical oceans. Specifically, we have data from 21 buoys, or moorings, from Predictions and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic (PIRATA), 14 buoys from the Research Moored Array for African-Asian-Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction (RAMA) in the Indian Ocean, 20 buoys from the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) array in the Pacific, and 3 buoys from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) (2 in the Pacific and 1 in the Atlantic). The data from these buoys span 12 years from 2000 to 2011, though not necessarily continuously. It is found that except for occasional outliers, the majority of the comparable pairs of data points agree well. Further examination of the outliers is necessary to determine whether they can be attributed to wind-driven tilt and/or aerosol accumulation on the instruments. In order to see how the ocean-based validation compares with land-based validation, we made SRB-BSRN monthly mean shortwave/longwave radiation comparisons in the tropical region only, where all the buoys are moored. The results show that in the case of shortwave radiation, the bias error from the ocean-based validation is somewhat larger than its land-based counterpart, but their RMS errors are not significantly different. In the case of longwave radiation, the ocean-based and land-based validations show nearly identical comparison statistics.

Taiping Zhang↗

NASA NTRS2020

An Algorithm for Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Aerosols: 3. Application to the GEO-TASO Data in KORUS-AQ Field Campaign

This paper describes the third part of a series of investigations to develop algorithms for simultaneous retrieval of aerosol parameters and surface spectral reflectance from the data measured by GEOstationary Trace gas and Aerosol Sensor Optimization (GEO-TASO) instrument. Since the algorithm is designed for future hyperspectral and geostationary satellite sensors, such as Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO), it is applied to GEO-TASO data measured over the same area by different flights as part of the Korea-United Stated Air Quality Study (KORUS-AQ) field campaign in 2016. While GEO-TAOS has a spectral sampling interval of ~0.28 nm in the visible, its data is thinned through a band selection approach with consideration of atmospheric transmittance and different surface types, which yields 20 common spectral bands to be used by the algorithm. The algorithm starts with 4 common principal components (PCs) for surface spectral reflectance extracted from various spectral libraries, and the constraints of surface reflectance parameters and aerosol scattering models respectively from k- means clustering analysis of the Rayleigh-corrected GEO-TASO spectra and AERONET data. The algorithm then proceeds iteratively with an optimal estimation approach to update PCs and retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD) until the best match between simulated and GEOS-TASO measured spectra is achieved. The spectral AODs are compared between those retrieved from GEO-TASO (x) and 7 AERONETS (y) in 440, 550, 550, 675 nm, respectively. The comparison reveals that iterative updates of surface spectral PCs (and so surface reflectance) yield significant enhancement in AOD retrievals, improving the mean linear fitting equations from y = 0.735x + 0.088 (without update of PCs) to y = 1.055x+ 0.01, and the Pearson correlation coefficient (𝑅𝑅2) from 0.54 to 0.76, respectively. Move case studies are need to further evaluate the algorithm for its application to TEMPO that carries a enhanced version of GEO-TASO instrument.

Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (T↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Models, In situ, and Remote sensing of Aerosols (MIRA): Formation of an International Working Group

There is a natural partitioning of scientific interest amongst three specialties of aerosol research: modeling, in situ measurements, and remote sensing. The community sees enhanced measurement capabilities when these groups interact, and this strengthens the overall scientific impact on climate and air quality. The Models, In situ, and Remote sensing of Aerosols (MIRA) working group connects members of the different aerosol communities through collaborative projects. What is MIRA? MIRA is forum that fosters international collaborations amongst the aerosol specialties. MIRA is also a collection of interdisciplinary projects with clear goals that are pursued by small working groups. Finally, MIRA projects are generally characterized by requests for additional scientific data (both observational and modeled). Why? The purpose of MIRA is to contextualize both observations and model results through the encouragement of holistic projects and collaborations. How does MIRA differ from other projects? MIRA focuses on interdisciplinarity to improve measurements and their utility, so MIRA complements the activities of other groups. For example, ensemble model runs of AeroCom could be used in a MIRA project with greater robustness than a similar effort that uses single-model analyses. We first present a description of MIRA and how your project can become a part of the MIRA community. This is followed by brief descriptions of some of the current MIRA projects, which include the Mapping of Aerosol lidar ratios for CALIPSO (MAC), the Tables of Aerosol Optics (TAO), and the Harmonization of aerosol Assimilation Models and Retrievals (HAMR). Finally, we discuss the immediate science goals and organization of MIRA.

Gregory Schuster↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Preparing for Lunar Exploration: Geology and Field Training for Astronauts

NASA astronauts will soon return to the Moon, this time to the lunar south pole. Astronauts will perform traverses, make geologic observations, and collect samples to return to Earth. Lessons from Apollo show that science returns were optimized because crews were well-trained in both spacewalk operations and field geology. In that spirit, our team of geologists introduced a revised geologic training program for in-coming NASA astronauts that includes classroom activities and fieldwork and is split over 2 years. Year 1 focuses on an introduction to geologic concepts capped by a field exercise. Year two focuses on climate change, the Moon, other planets, and additional fieldwork. Our geology curriculum supports astronaut observations from the ISS and is the foundation for future Artemis geology training, which will include lunar science and increasingly complex field training in planetary-relevant locations. A final piece of our training program provides geology and field mapping experiences for NASA engineers, flight controllers, and managers, to help them understand the principles of fieldwork and relevance to lunar exploration. The Year 1 geology training must be an effective introduction for astronauts who have little or no background in geology. We focus the training around a narrowly defined field problem and use a week of classroom training to prepare the astronauts with the specific skills and background they need to carry out a field exercise on volcanic features, structures, and landforms of the Taos Plateau, New Mexico. Classroom modules are hands-on, using satellite imagery, maps, analog models, and samples, and provide the astronauts with specific and relevant experience in how to make observations and describe what they see, recognize, and interpret patterns, infer processes from products, and analyze relationships to build a story based on evidence from a variety of data sources. At the end of each classroom day, astronauts work in teams to build a preliminary geologic map of the field area, adding new observations and interpretations as they learn about topics in the classroom. Each team’s bucket list of target areas to visit helps shape their investigations during their week in the field. On the final day in the field, each astronaut team presents a geologic map, cross section, and geologic interpretation

Geology↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Models, In situ, and Remote sensing of Aerosols (MIRA)

The Models, In situ, and Remote sensing of Aerosols (MIRA) working group connects members of the different aerosol communities through collaborative projects. This abstract, additional details, and a list of current projects can be found at https://science.larc.nasa.gov/mira-wg/. Join our email distribution list of 200+ members at https://espo.nasa.gov/lists/listinfo/mira.In this talk, we will describe some current MIRA projects that are relevant to AeroCom (e.g., the Table of Aerosol Optics, or TAO) and the benefits of presenting your multi-disciplinary work at MIRA sessions and meetings. What is MIRA? MIRA is forum that fosters international collaborations amongst the aerosol Modeling, In situ, and Remote sensing specialties. MIRA advances scientific knowledge about aerosol properties and improves our understanding of air quality, weather, and climate through the pursuit of specific goals. MIRA emphasizes areas of study where the aerosol specialties overlap, and MIRA projects seek additional data and insight from others (observational and modeled). Why? The purpose of MIRA is to contextualize both observations and model results through the encouragement of holistic projects and collaborations. Linking aerosol disciplines removes gaps in understanding that hinder our interpretation of observations and model results. Such linkages improve our understanding of air quality, weather, and climate. How does MIRA differ from other working groups? MIRA focuses on interdisciplinarity to improve measurements and their utility, so MIRA complements the activities of other groups. Other interdisciplinary aerosol groups have different primary foci. For instance, AeroCom mainly focuses on improving global aerosol models, AeroSat focuses on strengthening collaboration amongst satellite aerosol retrieval groups, and ICAP focuses on aerosol forecasting. We hope that many MIRA projects engage these groups.

Gregory Schuster↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Gimbal Bearing Friction in the SLS Core Stage Thrust Vector Control System

The Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system is comprised of eight mechanical feedback Shuttle heritage Type III TVC actuators that vector the four Shuttle heritage RS-25 engines about a Shuttle heritage gimbal block/bearing. The MSFC Controls community has long regarded gimbal friction to be a negligible effect on the overall control of gimbaled RS-25 engines. This is corroborated by Space Shuttle test and flight data that does not appear to show degraded effects, nor limit cycling at the end of the shuttle flight. For this reason, friction was not expected to be a driving factor of performance and control of the reused RS-25 engines aboard the SLS. However, after test data showed a large shift in frequency behavior and a highly damped step-response in the time series, there was further investigation into what could have caused this behavior. Heritage friction models used in previous gimbal and ball bearings were evaluated such as Coulomb, Dahl and LuGre, but the single degree of freedom friction models alone were not enough to explain the behavior and shifts seen in the test data. This paper presents the additional findings and modeling efforts regarding friction on the RS-25 engines. Using the Two Actuator Operational Simulation (TAOS), the difference from modeling separate friction degrees of freedom to coupled degrees of freedom was investigated to deduce the effects of one axis’s movement on the other. Next, due to the vibration environment, a modified LuGre model has been proposed that adds an additional term to decrease the friction coefficient at low engine velocity amplitudes. Lastly, the addition of the stiffness in each half of the gimbal bearing has increased modeling fidelity by also adding the effect on the gimbal bearing bending in compliance to both the friction torque on the surface of the gimbal bearing and the actuator force that is forcing the engine in a specified direction. Through these effects, the time and frequency domain behavior seen in test can be characterized accurately.

Friction↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Gimbal Bearing Friction in the SLS Core Stage Thrust Vector Control System

Friction↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Complex Refractive Indices of Mineral Aerosols and Why They Matter

Aerosol refractive indices are fundamental parameters that are generally measured by spec-troscopists with specialized knowledge. We in the Earth science community frequently utilizethese refractive indices because they are essential for computing aerosol radiative effects andretrieving aerosol composition. Unfortunately, there are a wide variety of refractive indiceswith significant differences for some aerosol species (e.g., hematite) and a lack of refractiveindex choices for other aerosols (e.g., clay minerals, goethite), and this hinders our ability toaccurately compute the radiative effect of mineral dust. Additionally, the mineral refractiveindices used in atmospheric science are not necessarily linked to the mineral reflectancesused to identify surface mineralogy; this creates a disconnect between the atmosphere andthe surface that frustrates closure analyses.In this talk, we will present an overview of some refractive indices of radiative importancein aeolian dust (illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, hematite, goethite). We will discuss howmineral refractive indices are used in aerosol retrievals, and how we can use remote sensingretrievals to narrow the range of viable choices. We will also discuss how we can use pub-lished spectroscopic measurements to extrapolate the refractive indices that are inferred ata handful of visible and near-infrared wavelengths to the longwave regime. Finally, we willdiscuss how working groups like MIRA (Models, In situ, and Remote sensing of Aerosols;https://science.larc.nasa.gov/mira-wg/) and community repositories like TAO (Tables ofAerosol Optics) can improve radiative closure by enhancing interactions between the threedisciplines.1

aerosols↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Models, In situ, and Remote sensing of Aerosols (MIRA)

There is a natural partitioning of scientific interest amongst three specialties of aerosol research: modeling, in situ measurements, and remote sensing. The community sees enhanced measurement capabilities when these groups interact, and this strengthens the overall scientific impact on climate and air quality. The Models, In situ, and Remote sensing of Aerosols (MIRA) working group connects members of the different aerosol communities through collaborative projects. What is MIRA? MIRA is a forum that fosters international collaborations amongst the aerosol specialties. MIRA is also a collection of interdisciplinary projects with clear goals that are pursued by small working groups. Finally, MIRA projects are generally characterized by requests for additional scientific data (both observational and modeled). Why? The purpose of MIRA is to contextualize both observations and model results through the encouragement of holistic projects and collaborations. How does MIRA differ from other projects? MIRA focuses on interdisciplinarity to improve measurements and their utility, so MIRA complements the activities of other groups. For example, ensemble model runs of AeroCom could be used in a MIRA project with greater robustness than a similar effort that uses single-model analyses. We present a description of MIRA and brief descriptions of some of the current MIRA topics, which include Satellite-Assisted Particulate Matter (SAPM), Mapping of Aerosol lidar ratios for CALIPSO (MAC), Tables of Aerosol Optics (TAO), and the Harmonization of aerosol Assimilation Models and Retrievals (HAMR). Finally, we discuss the immediate science goals and organization of MIRA. See https://science.larc.nasa.gov/mira-wg/ for more information.

Travis Toth↗

NASA NTRS2012

Integrated Modeling of Aerosol, Cloud, Precipitation and Land Processes at Satellite-Resolved Scales

In this talk, I will present recent results from a project led at NASA/GSFC, in collaboration with NASA/MSFC and JHU, focused on the development and application of an observation-driven integrated modeling system that represents aerosol, cloud, precipitation and land processes at satellite-resolved scales. The project, known as the NASA Unified WRF (NU-WRF), is funded by NASA's Modeling and Analysis Program, and leverages prior investments from the Air Force Weather Agency and NASA's Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO). We define "satellite-resolved" scales as being within a typical mesoscale atmospheric modeling grid (roughly 1-25 km), although this work is designed to bridge the continuum between local (microscale), regional (mesoscale) and global (synoptic) processes. NU-WRF is a superset of the standard NCAR Advanced Research WRF model, achieved by fully integrating the GSFC Land Information System (LIS, already coupled to WRF), the WRF/Chem enabled version of the Goddard Chemistry Aerosols Radiation Transport (GOCART) model, the Goddard Satellite Data Simulation Unit (SDSU), and boundary/initial condition preprocessors for MERRA and GEOS-5 into a single software release (with source code available by agreement with NASA/GSFC). I will show examples where the full coupling between aerosol, cloud, precipitation and land processes is critical for predicting local, regional, and global water and energy cycles, including some high-impact phenomena such as floods, hurricanes, mesoscale convective systems, droughts, and monsoons.

Peters-Lidard, Christa↗