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 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 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. Without remote sensing instruments like MODIS, AVHRR, and NEXRAD mesoscale vortices would remain undetected.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. NOAA 15 Before Launch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21. MODIS Imagery Hurricane Wilma Hurricane Wilma 21 October 2005 21 October 2005

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

23. AVHRR continued AVHRR Channel Characteristics Channel Number Resolution at Nadir Wavelengt h (um)Typical Use 11.09 km0.58 - 0.68 Daytime cloud and surface mapping 21.09 km 0.725 - 1.00Land-water boundaries 3A1.09 km1.58 - 1.64Snow and ice detection 3B1.09 km3.55 - 3.93 Night cloud mapping, sea surface temperature 41.09 km 10.30 - 11.30 Night cloud mapping, sea surface temperature 51.09 km 11.50 - 12.50Sea surface temperature

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

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

26. AVHRR Imagery Hurricane Dean Hurricane Dean NOAA-16 NOAA-16 20 August 2007 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.) 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 16 tilts (data levels ) are available.6 x.6 miles resolution out to 143 miles for base reflectivity at 0.5 degrees (tilt 1).6 x.6 miles resolution out to 143 miles for base reflectivity at 0.5 degrees (tilt 1)

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

29. NEXRAD continued How does radar work? 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

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

33. NEXRAD Imagery

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

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