ANNUAL 2011-2012 REPORT

Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research Studies and Investigations GESTAR STAFF Abuhassan, Nader Jethva, Hiren Radcliff, Matthew Achuthavarier, Deepthi Jin, Jianjun Randles, Cynthia Anyamba, Assaf Jones, Randall Reale, Oreste Baird, Steve Jusem, Juan Carlos Retscher, Christian Barahona, Donifan Kekesi, Alex Reyes, Malissa Beck, Jefferson Kim, Dongchul Rousseaux, Cecile Bell, Benita Kim, Hyokyung Sayer, Andrew Belvedere, Debbie Kim, Kyu-Myong Schiffer, Robert Bindschadler, Robert Kniffen, Don Schindler, Trent Bridgman, Tom Korkin, Sergey Selkirk, Henry Brucker, Ludovic Kostis, Helen-Nicole Sharghi, Kayvon Brunt, Kelly Kowalewski, Matthew Shi, Jainn Jong (Roger) Buchard-Marchant, Virginie Kreutzinger, Rachel Sippel, Jason Burger, Matthew Kucsera, Tom Smith, Sarah Celarier, Edward Kurtz, Nathan Soebiyanto, Radina Chang, Yehui Kurylo, Michael Sokolowsky, Eric Chase, Tyler Lait, Leslie Southard, Adrian Chern, Jiun-Dar Lamsal, Lok Starr, Cynthia Chettri, Samir Laughlin, Daniel Steenrod, Stephen

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Colombo, Oscar Lawford, Richard Stoyanova, Silvia Corso, William Lee, Dong Min Strahan, Susan Cote, Charles Lentz, Michael Strode, Sarah Dalnekoff, Julie Lewis, Katherine Sun, Zhibin Damoah, Richard Li, Feng Swanson, Andrew De Lannoy, Gabrielle J. Li, Xiaowen Taha, Ghassan de Matthaeis, Paolo Liang, Qing Tan, Qian Diehl, Thomas Liao, Liang Tao, Zhining Draper, Clara Lim, Young-Kwon Tian, Lin Duberstein, Genna Lin, Xin Ungar, Stephen Eck, Thomas Lyu, Chen-Hsuan (Joseph) Unninayar, Sushel Errico, Ronald Majedi, Amir Utku, Cuneyt Farhadi, Leila Malespin, Charles Vikhliaev, Yury Fitzgibbons, Ryan Mao, Jianping Wang, James Follette-Cook, Melanie Marchant, Benjamin Weaver, Clark Gallagher, Dan Margolis, Hank Wen, Guoyong Garner, Robert Meyer, Kerry Wiessinger, Scott Gassó, Santiago Mohammed, Priscilla Willard, Sean Gatebe, Charles Molnar, Gyula Williams, James Gautam, Ritesh Morgan, Dagmar Wright, Ernest Gong, Jie Mounirou Toure, Ally Yang, Weidong Grecu, Mircea Norris, Peter Yang, Yuekui Gupta, Pawan Olsen, Mark Yasunari, Teppei Ham, Yoo-Geun Pan, Xiaohua Zeng, Xiping Han, Mei Patadia, Falguni Zhang, Qingyuan Holdaway, Daniel Peng, Jinzheng Zhang, Yan Houghton, Amy Plummer, Joel Zhou, Yaping Huang, Jingfeng Potter, Gerald Ziemke, Jerald Hurwitz, Margaret Prive, Nikki Zuber, Ryan

Technical Editor Amy Houghton

Editorial Assistants Sean Willard Stacy Bowles

Graphic Design Erin Carver TABLE of CONTENTS Letter from GESTAR Director...... 4 from GESTAR Letter Team...... 5 The GESTAR Research...... 6 Technical the Message...... 46 Delivering Products...... 52 Engagements/EPO...... 54Student Awards...... 55 Acronyms...... 56 Missions Overview...... 60 LETTER from GESTAR DIRECTOR

June 8, 2012

We are pleased to offer this first NASA Goddard Earth Sciences, Technology, and Research (GESTAR) Cooperative Agreement Annual Report for the period: 11 May 2011 – 10 May 2012. NASA awarded GESTAR to the team of Univer- sities Space Research Association (USRA), Morgan State University (MSU), Johns Hopkins University (JHU), I.M. Systems Group (IMSG), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), and Ball Aerospace. During this initial year, USRA, Morgan State, and IMSG focused on transitioning approximately 120 ongoing, scientific and technical projects with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) sponsors and collaborators. Additionally, nearly40 new projects were added to GESTAR’s portfolio.

This report summarizes multidisciplinary efforts of GESTAR-affiliated research- ers, technologists, students, visitors, and staff. We describe accomplishments for the past year and technical progress in all research areas identified in the GESTAR Annual Research Program Plan, submitted to NASA on 10 June 2011. Within the report and its appendices are: a) abstracts and papers published by GESTAR-affiliated staff; b) GESTAR-affiliated presentations at conferences, seminars, and workshops; c) education and public outreach engagements by GESTAR-affiliated staff; d) awards received by GESTAR-affiliated staff; and e) engagement of GESTAR-affiliated staff in reviewing/advising/committee participation activities.

In hindsight, this past year has been extraordinary. Everyone at GESTAR has worked diligently with our NASA sponsors/collaborators to ensure continuity of critically important projects that support NASA’s mission in Earth Sciences and beyond. Their efforts have resulted in many substantive accomplishments, highlighted in this report. Our sincerest thanks go out to all for their commit- ment and professionalism. With this year’s experiences, we are wiser. We look forward to applying our knowledge to the upcoming year to ensure GESTAR exceeds expectations.

William Corso

Joseph Wittaker Darryn Waugh Le Jiang

4 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 The GESTAR TEAM

GESTAR MANAGMENT TEAM

GESTAR Director: Dr. William Corso Associate Director: Dr. Darryn Waugh, JHU Associate Director: Dr. Joseph Whittaker, MSU Associate Director: Dr. Le Jiang, ISMG Business Administrator: Ms. Dagmar Morgan

Founded in 1969, Universities Space Research Association Morgan State University (MSU), founded in 1867, is one of the (USRA) is an independent nonprofit research corporation that nation’s premier Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HB- conducts basic and applied research and operates programs and CUs). The University offers a comprehensive program of studies national facilities for government and industry, many of which are at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Morgan State has in support of NASA. USRA currently manages 20 programs and continuously served the community with distinction while meeting facilities that employ more than 400 scientific, technical, and the educational needs of an increasingly diverse society. Desig- professional staff. With 105 university members, USRA provides nated as Maryland’s Public Urban University, MSU will continue a unique and special value that other research organizations do its prominence in Maryland’s educational future. In many fields, not. Only PhD-granting universities in Earth and space sciences particularly in engineering and the sciences, MSU accounts for with demonstrated outstanding research abilities are eligible for large percentages of degrees received by African-Americans from membership in USRA. USRA’s mission is to advance Earth and Maryland institutions. At the graduate level, it awards doctoral space sciences and exploration through innovative research, and master’s degrees in several selected fields. The University technology, and educational programs, and to develop and oper- has made a major commitment to academic excellence, investing ate premier facilities and programs by involving universities, the substantial resources to enhance its research infrastructure, and private sector, and governments. stimulate research development in a broad range of disciplines, especially STEM. In addition to the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Founded in 1876 as the first research university in the United School of Engineering complex, MSU has the Estuarine Research States, The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is one of the lead- Center, the Richard N. Dixon Science Research Center, a state- ing research institutions in the nation. JHU is composed of of-the-art research facility that provides space for specialized nine academic divisions, including Arts & Sciences, Education, research laboratories in physics, chemistry, and biology, and the Engineering, the School of Public Health, plus JHU Applied Physics modern Murphy Fine Arts Center. Laboratory. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences is the home of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. A major I.M. Systems Group (IMSG) has over 15 years of providing envi- focus within this department is global change science, with active ronmental, scientific, technical, and I support to the US govern- research groups in atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrospheric sci- ment as well as environmental services to government agencies ences as well as planetary geodynamics. The department main- in Africa and Asia. Over 60% of its workforce has advanced tains state-of-the-art design and engineering facilities, as well as degrees with over 100 PhD researchers. IMSG is NOAA’s largest laboratories for high performance computing and large-scale data support service, with its largest concentration of researchers and analysis that are also being used for Earth system science. JHU’s support scientists in the Satellite Applications Research Center Whiting School of Engineering consists of faculty who possess and the NWS Environmental Modeling Center. experimental, computational, robotic and modeling capabilities. Additionally, faculty at the School of Public Health are involved Rounding out the GESTAR Team are Ball Aerospace and Tech- with the application of Earth system science and remote sensing nologies and The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies to the study and teaching of public/environmental health. (IGES). GESTAR Management continues to work to identify ap- propriate, GESTAR-affiliated activities in which they may become meaningfully engaged.

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 5 TECHNICAL RESEARCH

CODE 555: Microwave Instrument Technology Branch and radiometric calibration to obtain antenna temperature (TA) referenced to the feedhorn. Since RFI may contaminate the Dr. Priscilla Mohammed (code 555, sponsor J. Piepmeier) is radiometer measurements and thus compromise science per- specifically responsible for collaborating with the algorithm team formance, Dr. Mohammed wrote the prototype code into the L1B at GSFC to put together the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Docu- science ground processing algorithm to include RFI detection and ment (ATBD) as well as reviewing, updating and completing sec- mitigation techniques, resulting in RFI-free calibrated brightness tions which cover the L1A processing and the sections on radio temperatures. The objective of the Level 1B TB algorithm is to frequency (RFI) detection and mitigation. In the past year, the convert radiometer digital counts to time-ordered, geo-located algorithm team completed the L1B TB ATBD and submitted it for brightness temperatures (TB). The raw counts are converted to various reviews in previous quarters, including an internal review TB with two output products: Level 1A and Level 1B. Product at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in August 2011 and an external definition spreadsheets were generated for Level 1A and Level 1B review at NASA Headquarters in September 2011. Comments detailing the science products to be generated by the algorithm were assessed and used to evaluate the necessary updates to and made available to users during and after the mission. the document. The research Dr. Jinzheng Peng results are to (code 555, sponsor J. be presented at Piepmeier) works in SMAP project a collaborative team, meetings as well along with Dr. Mo- as relevant sci- hammed, developing entific meetings NASA’s Soil Moisture and published in Active/Passive (SMAP) refereed journals. radiometer. He is spe- cifically responsible for The completed developing the SMAP Matlab prototype Level 1 brightness codes for L1A temperature forward and L1B were op- simulator and part of timized for speed the SMAP L1B algo- and efficiency in rithm (Antenna Pattern order to process Correction, Faraday large volumes of Rotation Correction, data. The proto- and Atmospheric type codes will be Correction). A major used to process risk-reduction asset, data the radiom- Figure: Steps in the L1B processing (P. Mohammed). the forward simulator eter engineering will be used to assist test unit will with radiometer L1B produce during tests to verify instrument and algorithm require- algorithm development. Scheduled for launch in 2014, the SMAP ments. The Level 1A software unwraps the CCSDS packets, which mission is the first of a series of Earth Science Decadal Survey are raw radiometer telemetry outputs with repeats removed, missions. Dr. Peng’s efforts include research and development unpacked and parsed. Header information is separated from the of pre-launch and post-launch calibration theoretical bases, plans science data and engineering data. The science data is sorted and activities, and data reductions. During the 2011-2012 con- into various radiometric states, and calibration coefficients are tract year, he worked on the SMAP brightness temperature (TB) computed using inputs from an instrument data file. The engi- forward simulator and the L1B Antenna Pattern Correction (APC) neering data, which contains the instrument’s information about algorithm development and validation, as well as external error temperatures, currents and voltages, are converted from digital sources (galaxy, moon, sun) modeling and validation. He also numbers to engineering units. Time correlation is performed to supported the SMAP L1B radiometer Algorithm Theoretical Basis correlate the radiometer clock to the spacecraft clock. All data Document (ATBD) review. are then stored in various groups. The Level 1A product provides inputs for the Level 1B software, which performs geolocation

6 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 MERRA reanalysis, and conducted two ensembles of Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) chemistry-climate model simula- tions, each consisting of 40 extended winter seasons, to quantify the North Pacific influence on the Arctic. She evaluated differ- ences in Arctic temperature (see figure), ozone, and UV index between the two simulations. The model results were showcased in a poster presentation.

Figure: Sources and effects considered in the SMAP TB forward simulator (J. Peng).

CODE 610: Earth Sciences Division Dr. Charles Cote (code 610, sponsor W.K. Lau) is involved in all facets of administration support, including preparing and review- ing multi-level reports, preparing award nominations, coordinating and evaluating proposal submissions, planning and allocating (Image Credit: M. Hurwitz) office usage, managing personnel hiring packages, and represent- ing various Laboratory Heads/Chiefs at meetings and reviews. She completed two pairs of 50-year atmosphere-only GEOS CCM This past year, Dr. Cote served on the Division review board for simulations of the future response to Warm Pool El Niño (WPEN). IRAD-12 (Internal Research and Development) proposal submis- Then, she completed two additional pairs of 50-year sensitivity sions related to Earth Sciences. Twelve proposals were assigned simulations, to isolate the causes of simulated changes in the for in-depth review and oral discussion before the panel. He was WPEN responses. Her research on the Southern Hemisphere involved in several nominations and reviews for select awards, response to WPEN events resulted in a manuscript as well as two including AMS fellowship, group award, GSFC Leadership Honor submitted proposals. Award, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, annual Contractor Awards, as well as the AMS Jule Charney award, which is a very Dr. Hurwitz also compared two 50-year GEOS CCM simulations: prestigious award for atmospheric scientists and is the second one with and one without an internal quasi-biennial oscillation highest award presented annually to a single individual by the (QBO). After discussions with colleagues, she repeated the simu- AMS. Dr. Cote compiled, wrote, and/or edited the 2010 annual lations for a more precise evaluation of the impact of the QBO on Laboratory Technical Highlights Report, the 2011 Atmospheric Re- the model’s overall stratospheric performance. Her analysis of the search Report, and the 2010 Instrument Systems Report for the impact of the QBO on chemistry-climate model performance will Laboratory. He also provided a status update of the 23 aircraft be presented at the SPARC CCMVal workshop in May 2012. instruments used for atmospheric research. Dr. Juan Carlos Jusem (code 610, sponsor J. Susskind) applies The TOMS ozone instrument developed by GSFC was launched on his research to obtain accurate observations of surface winds a Russian Meteor-3 satellite in 1991, and was the first NASA in- over the world’s oceans with a resolution of 25 km, at time inter- strument ever launched on a Russian spacecraft. In recognition of vals of 6 hours, from the period July 1987-December 2011, in the the 20th anniversary of the launch from the Plesetsk Comosdrone framework of the CCMP (Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform) project, in the former Soviet Union, a congratulatory letter was written to under a MEASURE program. His Citation Metric Activity consisted the Russian organization members who worked with a GSFC team of finding in scientific literature papers the mention of and usage for 3 years in preparation for the launch. A similar letter was sent of the datasets created by the Goddard team in charge of the to the United States team. CCMP project. The surface winds data created by the Goddard CCMP team are the result of observations taken from a variety Dr. Margaret Hurwitz (code 610, sponsor P. Newman) studies of instruments and platforms, each one with its own observa- the North Pacific and the Arctic. This past year she examined the tion mean error. This mix was integrated into a coherent whole role of North Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) on winter by a Variational Analysis Method (VAM) in order to determine the conditions in the Arctic troposphere and stratosphere, using the GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 7 resulting mean observation error of the VAM-created surface wind may be associated with wetter soil surface due to more rainfall in data. Dr. Jusem was a collaborator in this endeavor. spring. Results were presented at the WCRP Workshop on CMIP5 Model Analysis, 5-9 March 2012, Honolulu, Hawaii. He will con- During the course of his collaborative research, Dr. Jusem consult- tinue to study the effect of absorbing aerosols on the monsoon ed several textbooks and papers, in which he discovered that the water cycle over India based on the model output produced by current utilization of the concept of “deformation” in fluids is lead- Nu-WRF model coupled with interactive GOCART, in collaboration ing to the confusion and misinterpretation of results in several with other GESTAR scientists in Codes 612 and 614. papers, partially due to the lack of a rationale in the presentation of the kinematics in the textbooks. Dr. Jusem proposes a rationale Dr. Leslie Lait’s (code 610, sponsor P. Newman) research and a correction in the way that “deformation” is classified. As activities are centered on the dynamical context of atmospheric an invited speaker, he shared his ideas in a presentation given measurements. He analyzes data from a wide variety of sources at the University of Chile in October 2011. The same ideas will be - satellite, balloon-borne, aircraft, and ground-based instruments presented at a GESTAR Maniac Talk in May 2012. - to yield a unified picture of the whole. Specifically, investigations examine the use of quasi-conserved quantities (such as potential Dr. Kyu-Myong Kim (code 610, sponsor W.K. Lau) carries out vorticity and potential temperature) as coordinates to construct numerical experiments using high-resolution Nu-WRF coupled composite fields of atmospheric constituents that can be mapped with GOCART model to study the impact of radiative heating by back into real-space. In addition, he provides support to aircraft biomass burning aerosols and dust on predictability of monsoon field experiments such as the Airborne Tropical TRopopause rainfall over northern India and the Himalayas foothills. Numeri- Experiment, the Southeast Asia Composition, Cloud, Climate Cou- cal experiments are also performed with GEOS-5 and analyses pling Regional Study, and the Hurricane and Severe Storm Sen- conducted of climate impacts of absorbing aerosol on regional tinel. This support includes the use of meteorological forecasts and continental scale water cycles, with a focus on climate and modeling results to aid in planning aircraft flights to maximize change in Asia and West Africa. Dr. Kim also coordinates and en- the scientific return and to test the feasibility of various flight path ables numerical experiments with the GEOS-5 GCM to study the scenarios. Dr. Lait’s activities also include software development, possible connection between the Russian heat wave and Pakistan data processing, oversight of local data systems, and analyses of flood, and the impact of heating by biomass burning aerosols fuel temperature and consumption. from Russian fires on the predictability of Pakistan’s heavy rain. Further, Dr. Kim coordinates research activities for Dr. Lau’s Dr. Leslie Lait also performs work under his grant: “Quasi-conser- group, including data management, computation requirements, vative coordinate analysis of ozone in the lower stratosphere and and interfacing with various related groups in the ESD divisions. upper troposphere using trajectories and advanced meteorologi- cal assimilation products”. A data analysis technique applied Dr. Kim has studied the interaction between the Saharan air to ozone measurements from a variety of satellite, aircraft, and layer and ITCZ over West Africa and the eastern Atlantic Ocean sonde instruments investigates what trends may be seen in ozone based on satellite observations (MODIS, MISR, TRMM, Calipso) as in the (PT, PV) coordinate space, and how they relate to trends in well as GEOS-5 GCM. Results indicate that dust radiative forc- real space; to determine the seasonal and interannual variability ing increase the north-south temperature gradient, leading to of ozone in (PT, PV) space, and compare this variability, mapped increased atmospheric instability to the south of the dust layer, into real space, with more traditional analysis methods; and to and thereby increased rainfall on the northern part of the Atlantic examine the seasonal and interannual variability in the domain ITCZ. He also has studied long-term variations of the number of and extent of the PT and PV coordinate space, and how such vari- atmospheric blocking events and geographical locations, and ability affects the analysis technique. associated heat waves during the northern summer over Eurasia in a warmer climate based on fourteen CMIP5 model simula- Using two collections of global gridded meteorological data tions. Future scenario simulations, both RCP45 and RCP85 run, products, for days in January, April, July, and October over 31 show that the number of blocking events over Europe will likely years, Dr. Lait generated 20,000 points randomly generated in decrease in a warmer climate. On the other hand, all 14 models real space, using the PV, PT values at those locations to map used in this study predicted more blocking events in western Rus- them into (PV, PT) space. He used the resulting distributions in sia and central Asia. Near-surface temperatures increase globally, (PV, PT) space to determine an optimal cell subdivision within but warming in the middle and high latitudes tends to be located that coordinate space, minimizing the unevenness of the point to the western areas with more blocking events, indicating rela- distribution while maximizing the number of points within each tions with the warm advection induced by high pressure system cell. The coordinate space was divided into cells, and the points associated with blocking. Decreased blocking events in Europe were used to examine interannual variability of the distribution

8 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 of PV/PT values. Ozone measurements from the Microwave In other research, Dr. Li explains that “as the greenhouse gas Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument onboard the NASA Aura satellite increases, the stratospheric circulation speeds up and the mass were collected from the time period as the randomly-sampled exchange between troposphere and stratosphere accelerates”. procedure above, but for 2005-2010. Using meteorological fields As a result, the young and old air masses in the stratosphere from two data product collections, the PV and PT values of each are redistributed: air younger than two years increases and air data point were determined, plus whether the point was above or older than two years decreases. Thus, the mean age decreases. below the tropopause. For each January day of MLS stratospheric These results have important implications in understanding the measurements from the above collection, the air parcels at each changes of photochemically important tracer species such as the three-dimensional measurement location were traced with both chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). In response to these findings, Dr. Li the Goddard quasi-isentropic trajectory model (“ftraj”) and the has submitted a lead-author paper entitled “Long-term changes kinematic trajectory model (“ktraj”). in stratospheric age spectra in the 21st century in the Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry Climate Model (GOSCCM)” to Dr. Lait will finish comparing how well the various data sets JGR. and trajectory models conserve PV and PT (using MLS ozone to conduct the inter-comparisons). He will analyze MLS data from Dr. Xin Lin (code 610, sponsor A. Hou) examined the impact of the other months once the January analysis is completed. After radiance assimilation on cloud and rain. Precipitation-affected adapting software that was written for previous analyses, he will radiance data have been successfully assimilated into a cloud-re- generate a series of time-varying fields for MLS ozone in (PV, PT) solving WRF model. The analysis is being evaluated using ground space. Other ozone measurements (e.g., from sondes) will be radar and gauge data, and a manuscript is being prepared. Dr. incorporated into a new set of time-varying fields. Lin also investigated the uncertain characterization of satellite rain retrievals. Ground radar and gauge rainfall data were used The major emphasis of Dr. Feng Li’s (code 610, sponsor P. to evaluate satellite rainfall retrievals from PR, TMI, and AMSRE at Newman) research is on the interaction of stratospheric and the pixel level. The work is intended to efficiently use the error in- tropospheric dynamics, particularly as it relates to the interac- formation to optimally merge different rainfall estimations. Note: tion of the ocean and atmosphere. Through various analysis and Dr. Lin has left Goddard for another opportunity. modeling techniques, Dr. Li strives to understand how an interac- tive ocean-atmosphere model affects the stratosphere, and how Dr. Benjamin Marchant (code 610, sponsor S. Platnick) develops the stratosphere affects the ocean circulations. In addition, global and improves the cloud optical product of the Moderate-Resolu- three-dimensional meteorological fields are used in conjunction tion Imaging-Spectroradiometer (MODIS). He mainly works on the with diagnostic tools such as age spectra and models to further cloud phase retrievals with MODIS, a critical first step in the cloud the understanding of stratospheric processes, particularly the optical retrieval algorithm. This past year, he developed and seasonal, interannual, and long-term variations of the Brewer- improved a research-level cloud thermodynamic phase retrieval Dobson circulation and stratospheric mixing, and how they are algorithm for MODIS. His research is an important scientific contri- impacted by greenhouse gas increase and stratospheric ozone bution to the MODIS Cloud Optical Products, and his work will be depletion/recovery. fully integrated into the upcoming MODIS Collection 6 (MOD06).

This past year, Dr. Li published a first-author paper inJGR that detailed how simulations show that stratospheric age spectra in GEOSCCM have strong seasonal cycles and the seasonal cycles change with latitude and height. In the lower stratosphere extratropics, the average transit times and the most probable transit times in the winter/early spring spectra are more than twice as old as those in the summer/early fall spectra. But the seasonal cycle in the subtropical lower stratosphere is nearly out of phase with that in the extratropics. In the middle and upper stratosphere, significant seasonal variations occur in the subtrop- ics. The spectral shapes also show dramatic seasonal change, especially at high latitudes. These seasonal variations reflect the seasonal evolution of the slow Brewer-Dobson circulation (with timescale of years) and the fast isentropic mixing (with timescale Figure: an example of “skill tables” developed by Dr. Marchant. of days to months).

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 9 AIRS improves He performed validation studies of MODIS Cloud Phase Retrievals cross-correlations of various important climatic parameters, down using Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) to the forecast1-Degree grid-scale. of He floodwill continue toin develop ways to in- and Polarization and Directionality of the Earth’s Reflectances terpret AIRS Level 3 data for climate change assessments, and to (POLDER) retrievals. For this purpose, he developed various geo- furtherPakistan explore how General Climate Models could/should use the located algorithms and visualization tools in order to compare the high quality AIRS retrieval results. Work will continue on optimal cloud phase retrievals from these instruments. He also created a merging of AIRS and TOVS level-3 climatologies, and climate vari- Dr. Oreste Reale (code 610) was lead author website to share findings and facilitate discussions with his work- ability assessments using the merged dataset will be performed. of an article published on April 17, 2012 in ing group, which allowed him to show a significant improvement of Dr. Oreste Reale (code 610, sponsor W.K. Lau) is involved in a the Journal of Geophysical Research. The the cloud phase retrieval with the MODIS instrument. Dr. March- task in which he conducts numerical model experiments using article describes the impact of different ant’s work was presented as oral and poster presentations at the GEOS-5 GCM with interactive aerosols, to study the impact of AIRS data assimilation strategies on the several science meetings over the past year. Various visualization dry air intrusion and radiative effects of Saharan dust on struc- GEOS-5 Data Assimilation and forecast sys- tools were also developed to illustrate and optimize his results. ture of tropical easterly waves and tropical cyclogenesis. Model tem, with the focus on one extreme precipi- results are validated against Cloudsat-Calipso tation event which affected the Indus River Dr. Gyula Molnar (code 610, sponsor J. Susskind) works on devel- observations, making use of the Goddard Satellite Data Assimila- Valley in Pakistan (July 2010), causing cata- oping and analyzing multi-year climate datasets derived from sat- tion System, and are evaluated for a possible change in predict- strophic floods. The article demonstrates ellite-based multi-spectral infrared and microwave observations, ability of tropical easterlies waves, and simulation studies are how AIRS data obtained under cloudy con- especially identifying and accounting for any biases between data performed of high-impact extreme current events. ditions improves the representation of the derived from each set of instruments, so as not to introduce cli- large-scale, low-level, moist flow which was mate signals in the data. He recently completed climate variability Dr. Reale has been investigating the forecast skill of the GEOS-5 a pre-requisite for the flood. As a conse- assessments for a submitted paper. A new, improved indepen- model, with respect to the extreme precipitation event of 2010 quence, assimilation of AIRS data obtained dent dataset of Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) observations over Pakistan, finding that it is affected by changes in the large- under partial cloud cover substantially im- was available near the end of 2011; thus, he began and com- scale extratropical synoptic situation. Two different predictability proved the forecast of the event. Citation: pleted work on AIRS-Version5 vs. CERES-EBAF OLR evaluations regimes were detected. He also designed a new experiment with Reale, O., K. M. Lau, J. Susskind, and R. for September 2002 - June 2011. OLR variability was shown to be the latest version of the GEOS-5, currently running at the time of Rosenberg (2012), AIRS Impact on Analysis related to El Niño/La Niña oscillations at various spatial scales this report, to investigate the impact of aerosol assimilation on and Forecast of an Extreme Rainfall event over this time period, and was an important part of the submitted Atlantic tropical cyclogenesis. The experiment is set to re-run the (Indus River Valley, Pakistan, 2010) with a paper. His work was also presented at the SPIE Optics & Photon- period of the NASA observational campaign performed during the global data assimilation and forecast sys- ics 2011 Meeting in August 2011 as well as published in Proc. August-September 2006 time period. Calipso and Cloudsat data tem, Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, SPIE regarding his comparison of recent spatial anomaly time will be used for validation. doi:10.1029/2011JD017093. series of OLR and OLRCLR (Clear Sky OLR) as determined using CERES and AIRS observations from September 2002 - June 2011. An article on the African Easterly Jet in the GEOS-5 system was Excellent agreement was found in OLR publishedThis illustration in Weather com and- anomaly time series of both data sets Forecastingpares two, 7-dayand another fore- in almost every detail, down to the 1° x articlecasts was of accumulated published in 1° spatial grid point level, implying that JGR,precipitation: which discussed one ini the- both sets of results are highly stable, impacttialized of differentfrom analyses strate - and validates the anomaly time series giesin ofwhich AIRS AIRS data clear- assimila- of the AIRS-derived products used in the tionsky in radiances the forecast (RAD) of an computation of the AIRS OLR product. extremewere assimilated, precipitation the event: theother Pakistan from floodsanalyses of Dr. Molnar’s research this past year summerin which 2010. AIRS This cloudy article involved examining observations from describesretrievals the (RET) impact were of AIRS products and applying them to the differentassimilated. AIRS data These as - study of OLR and OLRCLR as well as CE- similationresults show strategies the on RES OLR and El Niño/La Niña variabili- theassimilation GEOS-5 Data of AssimilaAIRS - ties. His discoveries were presented at tionretrievals and forecast produces system. a numerous conferences and also resulted AIRSsubstantially data obtained better under in publications. Other work involved cloudyprecipitation conditions forecast, improves interpretation of AIRS Level 3 data for thevalidated representation against of the climate change assessments, including large-scale,TRMM data. low-level, moist

10 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 flow which was a pre-requisite for the floods. As a consequence, is to study the Earth from space to advance understanding and assimilation of AIRS data obtained under partial cloud cover sub- meet societal needs, and is centered on the research objective of stantially improves the forecast of the event. “enabling improved predictive capability for weather and extreme weather events”. Dr. Oreste Reale (code 610, sponsor W.K. Lau) is involved in a task in which he conducts numerical model experiments using the Several experiments were produced in the Summer 2011 with GEOS-5 GCM with interactive aerosols, to study the impact of dry the GEOS-5 v2 (very close to the MERRA version) to investigate air intrusion and radiative effects of Saharan dust on structure of the impact of AIRS v5 products on tropical cyclone forecast and tropical easterly waves and tropical cyclogenesis. Model results more generally forecasts in the deep tropics. Simulations were are validated against Cloudsat-Calipso observations, making use extensively analyzed and Dr. Reale concluded that the GEOS-5 of the Goddard Satellite Data Assimilation System, and are evalu- v.2 was not optimal to unveil tropical cyclone structure, since it ated for a possible change in predictability of tropical easterlies produced weaker than observed systems. However, properties waves, and simulation studies are performed of high-impact of the large-scale environmental flow are affected by the AIRS extreme current events. assimilation strategy. Additionally, despite the limitations found by the PI in the GEOS-5 v2 ability to represent intense cyclones, a Dr. Reale has been investigating the forecast skill of the GEOS-5 strong impact of AIRS data was found on the large-scale environ- model, with respect to the extreme precipitation event of 2010 ment surrounding tropical cyclones. In particular, AIRS data can over Pakistan, finding that it is affected by changes in the large- significantly alter the thermal contrast between the inner and scale extratropical synoptic situation. Two different predictability outer circulation. In the coming year, new experiments will be regimes were detected. He also designed a new experiment with initiated with AIRS version 6. the latest version of the GEOS-5, currently running at the time of this report, to investigate the impact of aerosol assimilation on Due to the improvements in the operational GEOS-5 with respect Atlantic tropical cyclogenesis. The experiment is set to re-run the to tropical cyclone representation, Dr. Reale chose the latest period of the NASA observational campaign performed during the GEOS-5 version to carry out experiments. Therefore, in late 2011 August-September 2006 time period. Calipso and Cloudsat data and early 2012, the migration to the newer GEOS-5 was complet- will be used for validation. ed, a number of successful tests were performed, and the GEOS- 5.7.2 was adopted as the new frozen version for this project. New An article on the African Easterly Jet in the GEOS-5 system was sets of experiments started in February 2012 are currently being published in Weather and Forecasting, and another article was completed, to cover the last two northern hemisphere tropical published in JGR, which discussed the impact of different strate- cyclone seasons. Furthermore, Dr. Reale was invited to present gies of AIRS data assimilation in the forecast of an extreme pre- talks on his research results. cipitation event: the Pakistan floods of summer 2010. This article describes the impact of different AIRS data assimilation strategies Dr. Teppei Yasunari (code 610, sponsor W. K. Lau) conducts data on the GEOS-5 Data Assimilation and forecast system. AIRS data analysis and modeling studies of the impact of solar absorbing obtained under cloudy conditions improves the representation of aerosols such as dust, black carbon (BC) and organic carbon (OC), the large-scale, low-level, moist flow which was a pre-requisite for on the changes of snow-related variables (called snow darken- the floods. As a consequence, assimilation of AIRS data obtained ing effect) and its climate feedback between the atmosphere under partial cloud cover substantially improves the forecast of and the land surface on the South Asian monsoon. His work has the event. focused on the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, and he expects in future studies to expand his focus to the cryospheric locations. He Dr. Oreste Reale (code 610) also conducts research related to developed a new snow albedo model to incorporate the influence his NASA ROSES grant (6/20/11-6/19/14) in which he is the PI. of the snow darkening effect into the NASA GEOS-5 land surface The proposal title is “Using AIRS data to understand processes model. He examines the estimation of how the snow darkening affecting Tropical Cyclone structure in a global data assimilation effect, including the changes of snow albedo, can impact Hima- and forecasting framework’’. Dr. Reale investigates the impact layan glacier meltings by using the snow-albedo feedback model, on the representation of tropical cyclones within a global data as- satellite data, and the data from field observation. The version similation and forecasting framework, consequential to the use of of the GEOS-5 model will soon be updated from Fortuna 2.5 to AIRS-derived products, as a tool to better understand processes Ganymed 1.0. affecting intensity forecast, and is done in close collaboration with the data production teams; as such, through interaction and feed- Dr. Yasunari has improved the NASA Catchment Land Surface back it benefits the overall validation of AIRS products. A sub-goal Model (LSM), which is coupled to GEOS-5. The new mass concen-

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 11 tration scheme in the GEOS-5 uses the direct deposits of solar performance and evaluate different data assimilation and mois- absorbing aerosols from the GEOS-5 GOCART: dust, BC, and OC. ture physics parameterizations. Her ongoing research involves This scheme was used along with the new snow albedo scheme studying individual extreme rainfall events through NU-WRF model developed by Yasunari, et al. (JGR, 2011) and can now consider simulations and attribution analysis. Over the past year, she has the snow darkening effect of dust, BC, and OC. The GEOS-5 replay presented and published her findings on climatology and extreme run simulations were conducted with and without the snow dark- participation events from TRMM observations, as well as recent ening effect for 2007-2009. Preliminary results with the snow trends of tropical cyclone rainfall. darkening effect showed a decrease of snow cover fraction, snow water equivalent, and snow albedo globally and over the Himala- yas and Tibetan Plateau, suggesting that the snow darkening ef- CODE 610.1: Global Modeling and Assimilation Office fect over glacier regions would significantly influence the surface Dr. Donifan Barahona (code 610.1, sponsor M. Rienecker) energy budgets at the snow surface and accelerate the snowmelt focuses on developments for aerosol-cloud-climate interactions, at the glacier surface. Future “free run” simulations are planned particularly parameterizations relevant for ice cloud formation for the future. to be implemented within the Morrison-Gettelman cloud micro- physics component within GEOS-5. These developments support Dr. Yasunari and colleagues at NASA, foreign institutes and applications at global high resolution (cloud permitting) and also universities estimated the possible range of BC dry depositions at coarser climate resolution, i.e., applications from weather and its related snow albedo reductions over the southern foothill prediction, weather-climate interactions, chemistry-climate of the Himalayas interactions, to during March-May in subseasonal-to- 2006. Using obser- decadal climate vations, deposition prediction. Work theories and global also includes model outputs, they collaboration estimated the range with the aerosol of BC dry deposition science commu- as 270-4700 µg m-2 nity at Goddard over the southern Hi- to use in situ and malayas. This range satellite observa- was mostly due to tions to guide the the differences on development and surface roughness Figure: GEOS-5/GOCART SO simulations (revised run) along the flight track on 11/08/2010. validation of the and surface wind 2 On the left, modeled SO vertical profiles, the white line is the aircraft altitude, on the right, the model. speed used in each 2 red line is the observed SO2 concentration, the black line is the modeled SO2 concentration, estimate. Results in- Dr. Barahona and the blue shading shows the range of simulated SO2 for the surrounded grid-boxes dicated that surface (V. Buchard-Marchant). implemented components are a two-moment key to reducing the cloud microphysics scheme in GEOS-5. This new scheme includes uncertain estimates of dry deposition amounts over snow-covered prognostic equations for mass and number of ice and liquid. regions, including Himalayan glaciers. An international collabora- Evaluation of the new scheme has shown a great improvement in tion among US, Italy, France, and Japan, this study resulted in a the prediction of the cloud fraction, cloud particle size, and cloud paper that is now in press in Atmospheric Environment. radiative forcing, as well as improvement in the prediction of pre- cipitation. Also, prediction of the number of ice crystals formed in Dr. Yaping Zhou’s (code 610, sponsor W. K. Lau) research focus- a cloud, accounting for the aerosol source and the cloud forma- es on identifying and understanding trends and long-term varia- tion conditions, remains a challenge, introducing uncertainty tions in the tropical rainfall distributions and characteristics in in the modeling of cloud processes. A new theory, termed “ice relation to large-scale circulation, climate variability and change, nucleation dispersion”, was introduced to better represent ice as well as extreme rainfall events such as those from tropical cy- nucleation in the accounting for the large variability in aerosol clones. Dr. Zhou applies high-resolution satellite rainfall measure- composition and size present in the atmosphere. Implementation ments to evaluate and improve global climate and weather model

12 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 and further development of the new theory within is ongoing. to isolate the role of the North Atlantic SST indicate that the anomalies over the United States are to a large extent driven by Dr. Virginie Buchard-Marchant (code 610.1, sponsor A. da Silva) El Niño, while the impact of the North Atlantic SST is primarily to works on the development of a VLIDORT (Vector LInearized Dis- contribute to the cooler temperatures along the U.S. east coast. crete Ordinate Radiative Transfer) interface to simulate top-of-the- atmosphere (TOA) radiances using GEOS-5/GOCART aerosol con- Dr. Chang also participated in the effort to assess climate factors centrations, and to calculate the Aerosol Index (AI) at the Ozone contributing to the extreme 2011 flooding and tornadoes. A large Monitoring Instrument (OMI) footprint. The model-simulated AI ensemble of high resolution prediction experiments have being estimates are used to assess the quality of the model-absorbing carried out to assess the ability of the GEOS-5 model to repro- aerosols by direct comparisons to the OMI AI measurements. duce the unusual extreme weather activity such as the flooding and tornadoes of the 2011 spring in the central U.S. The study Over the past year, she has conducted simulations and analyses examines the SST boundary forcing, initial conditions of the global to compare results and improve interfaces. Dr. Buchard-Marchant atmosphere and North American land and assesses the climate continued to develop the VLIDORT/GEOS-5 to calculate TOA radi- factors contributing to the extreme weather of 2011. He also con- ances and the AI at OMI observation locations. This interface was tributed to the study of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation improved to be more user-friendly and was optimized in order to (AMOC) variability and its impacts on the global climate. The team reduce the calculation time of the radiances. Also, in collabora- carried out long-coupled MERRA replay experiments to contribute tion with the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) team, she to the GMAO decadal prediction effort. They specifically simulated performed different types of simulations: one used an adaptation the impact of the AMOC on the low-frequency variability of SST, of the GEOS-5/VLIDORT interface described above to simulate the sea surface height (SSH), and sea ice extent with 300-year-long full Stokes vector parameters at the TOA in the solar plane at na- of replay runs of the GEOS-5 coupled model. The simulated AMOC dir along the CALIPSO track at 355, 532 and 1064 nm using the variations in the replay runs are found to be significantly anti-cor- GEOS-5 aerosol concentrations; the others used VLIDORT to test related with the Arctic sea ice extent anomalies and significantly the sensitivity of the TOA radiances for different types of scenes. correlated with the SST on decadal time scales in the northern Atlantic sector. The experiments quantitatively assess the possibil- The Frostburg Field Campaign (held in the Maryland region) ity of the stronger role of AMOC variability in the recent Arctic sea provided an opportunity for her to evaluate the GEOS-5/GOCART ice decline in addition to anthropogenic greenhouse-gas-induced model simulations of SO2 against in-situ and satellite measure- warming. ments and guide model improvements. The GEOS-5 vertical dis- tribution of SO2 was evaluated as well as the surface concentra- Dr. Clara Draper (code 610.1, sponsor R. Reichle) contributes to tions. GEOS-5 captures most of the major features of the aircraft NASA efforts to develop and implement land data assimilation observations; based on the comparisons at the surface-level, the components, in particular by using satellite observations of soil

GEOS-5 overestimated the observed SO2 surface concentrations. moisture, snow, and land surface temperature. Dr. Draper ran These discrepancies were mainly due to the emission injection several experiments comparing the impact on model soil moisture height considered in the model. Results from the Frostburg Field skill of assimilating near-surface soil moisture retrieved from the Campaign were presented at the 2011 Fall AGU Meeting and will passive microwave AMSR-E and active microwave ASCAT instru- be shared at the CALIPSO Science Team meeting in June 2012. ments into GMAO’s Catchment land surface model. The ASCAT data set had not been previously assimilated at GMAO, and this Dr. Yehui Chang (code 610.1, sponsor S. Schubert) contributes work included developing quality control procedures for the ASCAT to the overall evaluation of climate variability and predictability data and some refinements to the land data assimilation code in at sub-seasonal-to-decadal timescales and to the role of initial- order to ingest the new observation type. In these experiments, ization in improving prediction skill. He also works on climate assimilating either data set yielded similar improvements in simulations and attribution studies and conducts climate diag- model soil moisture skill, indicating that the GMAO can switch to nostic studies using the GEOS-5 model suite in GMAO. Dr. Chang assimilating ASCAT without significant loss of accuracy. Her letter participated in the effort to examine the extreme U.S. east coast summarizing this work was published in Geophysical Research 2010 snowstorm activity, with a particular focus on the role of sea Letters, selected as a Research Spotlight by the editor, and it was surface temperature (SST) anomalies associated with a mature El highlighted on the GRL website, in the AGU weekly newspaper, Niño and a persistent negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NA). The Eos, and on the GMAO website as a Research Highlight. She pre- signal-to-noise ratios of the precipitation fields indicate a potential sented this work at the AMS meeting in January 2012 and at the for predicting the unusual storm activity along the United States EGU meeting in April 2012 (an invited presentation). east coast several months in advance. Experiments that attempt

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 13 Dr. Draper has coupled the offline Land Data Assimilation System Applications in Dynamic Meteorology, held in Cefalu, Sicily, Italy in (LDAS) to the GEOS-5 AGCM/ADAS system. This work could mid-October 2011. significantly improve the GEOS-5 output, as there is currently no land surface analysis used in this system, and errors in the Moving forward, the GMAO OSSE will be extended to include (unconstrained) land surface are likely contributing to errors in additional observation types, such as wind estimated from GPS the atmospheric states. In the coupled GEOS-5/LDAS system, the signals, and it will be used to expedite new development of the cost of running the ensemble-based LDAS is reduced by perform- GMAO data assimilation system by exploiting the OSSE property ing the land data assimilation offline (de-coupled from the AGCM). that the “true” atmospheric state is known precisely in its frame- The offline LDAS is forced by atmospheric forecasts generated work. Additionally, the new very-high-resolution GEOS-6 NR will be during the most recent atmospheric assimilation cycle of GEOS- validated and its data sets adapted for the GMAO OSSE. 5, and the resulting land surface analysis increments are then passed back to the land surface model used in the AGCM. Signifi- Dr. Yoo-Geun Ham (code 610.1, sponsor M. Rienecker) helps cant work was required to implement this system and to establish to develop an initialization technique for the GEOS-5 coupled the best methods for passing information between the offline atmosphere ocean model, an important component for construct- land data assimilation system and the AGCM, and to ensure that ing decadal forecasts for the Coupled Model Intercomparison the offline land surface integrations do not diverge from the land Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) experiment suite. Dr. Ham specifically surface states within the AGCM. helped to set-up the breeding method to GEOS-5 seasonal and decadal prediction, which is now being used in semi-operational Dr. Ronald Errico (code 610.1, sponsor R. Gelaro) specializes in seasonal forecasts and in the decadal forecast. He formulates the development and validation of a GMAO framework to conduct and analyzes the possible positive impact of bred vector on en- observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) and develop- semble climate predictions. Dr. Ham also works to identify optimal ing an adjoint of the GMAO GEOS-5 numerical weather prediction perturbations for Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) time scales, model for 4-D variational data assimilation (4DVAR). Dr. Errico de- but the work has been slow, partially due to the expense of run- velops algorithms and software that are then tested to compare ning CGCMs with a large number of different initial conditions. the values they produce to values of real atmospheric data. Finally, Dr. Ham also develops new data assimilation strategies to improve the quality of reanalysis and forecasts based on this This past year, his work has involved validating, simulating, and reanalysis output. One of many important missions in the GMAO evaluating various aspects of a GMAO OSSE. Simulated observa- group is to develop this data assimilation system. tions and corresponding errors were produced for a baseline set of radiance and conventional observations, and subsequently Dr. Daniel Holdaway’s (code 610.1, sponsor M. Rienecker) work were provided to the GMAO GSI data assimilation system for two at GESTAR involves building and developing a method to incorpo- months. After statistics were examined, they found that most rate moist physics (convection and large scale cloud) into the 4D- compare very favorably with corresponding statistics produced Var data assimilation in the NASA GEOS-5 GCM. The 4D-Var, and when assimilating real observations, thereby validating the GMAO the perturbation model in general, works on the assumption that OSSE framework. This work renders the GMAO OSSE the best the model’s trajectory is linear or close to linear. Useful results such validated and performing framework in existence. Rawin- are sensitive to the stability of the model components. In order to sonde reports are now produced by simulating balloon ascents incorporate moist physics into the perturbation model, the linear- in the environment of the simulated atmosphere, including their ity and stability need to be considered. If the schemes are linear drift by the winds; thus, in another application, Dr. Errico con- and stable, then developing a linearized version should prove ducted simulations and estimations to examine the GMAO OSSE straightforward. If strong non-linearity and instabilities are identi- for the planned ESA ADM-Aeolus wind lidar. Careful validation of fied, then some simplifications of the schemes will be required the distribution of cloud in the current NR was required since this before linearized versions can be implemented. Dr. Holdaway affects the viewing range of the lidar. Improvements are incre- presented his GESTAR work at the 9th Adjoint Workshop in Sicily, mentally small but noticeable. Further work by Dr. Errico involved Italy; he was an invited speaker at the Navy Research Laboratory algorithms developed and evaluated as required by the adjoint of in Monterey, CA; and, he presented his work at the 2011 AGU Fall the GEOS-5 model, particularly its consideration of precipitation- Meeting in San Francisco, CA. related physics and the supervision of support staff assigned to this project; the testing of two schemes is now underway. Dr. Dr. Young-Kwon Lim (code 610.1, sponsor S. Schubert) supports Errico and Dr. Nikki Prive (GESTAR), as chief organizer and assis- scientific research on climate variability and weather extremes tant, respectively, presented the 9th Workshop on Adjoint Model using GMAO modeling and assimilation tools. NASA GSFC GMAO

14 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 scientists are working on improving the GEOS-5 model. Dr. Lim low clouds in that region. Previously, the algorithm used MODIS has been investigating the weather/climate extreme variability cloud optical thickness (COT) and CO2-sliced cloud top pressures produced by the high-resolution GEOS-5 model, and sharing his (CTP) as the observables. Based on the new analysis, the algo- results with NASA colleagues and external colleagues. rithm now uses CTP above 550 hPa (where it is most accurate) During the past year, Dr. Lim produced the extreme precipita- and brightness temperature (Tb) for cloud tops below this level. tion/temperature data (indices) for the North and South America The new algorithm has now fixed the problem with the Californian regions using the observation and reanalysis data. He also pro- Stratocumulus regime; furthermore, the algorithm is able to cre- duced the indices data using the AMIP-type GEOS-5 model data to ate cloud cover closer to the coast, as the observations show, but identify the model performance in reproducing the past weather/ where the model background state had none. This is a significant climate extreme histories for the North and South America success of the Bayesian Monte-Carlo approach, since it is able regions. Using this weather/climate extreme information, Dr. to jump out of regions of parameter space in which there is no Lim developed and updates an atlas website (http://gmao.gsfc. tangent sensitivity to the observables, unlike traditional tangent nasa.gov/research/subseasonal/atlas/Extremes.html) to provide linear approaches. weather and climate extremes information for the last 30-50 years for the Americas. This information includes the frequency Additionally, the GMAO asked Dr. Norris to examine output from its of heavy rain days, the maximum rainfall amount, the standard- implementation of the COSP satellite simulator suite in prepara- ized precipitation index, and the return value distribution based tion for GMAO’s expected release of simulator output of the 2008 on the generalized extreme value theory. For temperature, the period for the CFMIP project. Working closely with GMAO col- frequency of warm and cold days and nights, and several other leagues (Andrew Eichmann, Andrea Molod, and Max Suarez), Dr. extreme indices (e.g., warm (cold) spell durations) are provided on Norris identified numerous implementation bugs and issues that the atlas web. were causing spurious output (e.g., swapping of cloud condensate phases, an emissivity calculation error, unit conversion errors, Dr. Lim also conducted high-resolution simulations for both the undefined values issues). Subsequently, Dr. Norris produced AMIP-type and the climate change conditions for 30 years. These GEOS-5 model versions of all the figures from a COSP reference simulations and other investigations ultimately show that the article (BAMS, Aug 2011, pp.1023-1043) so that the GMAO’s GEOS-5 simulation with higher-spatial resolution successfully pro- GEOS-5 output for the article test period could be compared with duces both the large-scale and small-scale atmospheric features the observations and with other center’s models shown in the associated with extremes and seasonal climates better than the article. This involved extensive analysis and graphical presenta- coarsely-resolved model simulations. Finally, Dr. Lim’s several tion of output from all the COSP satellite simulators in GEOS-5. other projects have included investigating temporal variation of Upon presentation of this analysis to the GMAO COSP Team, and the arctic oscillation (AO) and the ENSO phase during late 2011, correction of a few final issues, the go-ahead was given by Dr. Max as well as producing seasonal hindcasts for the last ~30 years Suarez for running the full 2008 CFMIP run. and a real-time seasonal forecast up to a nine-month lead for the entire globe using the coupled GEOS5 model. Dr. Nikki Prive (code 610.1, sponsor R. Gelaro) supports projects in atmospheric data assimilation, especially regarding the use of Dr. Peter Norris (code 610.1, sponsor A. da Silva) contributes current and future space-based observations. Diagnostic studies to GMAO Cloud Data Assimilation and Model Cloud Validation are conducted to evaluate and improve the use of observational efforts. He uses retrieved cloud data to validate cloud properties data as well as running and interpreting observing system simula- within the GEOS model, to measure the capability of trial cloud tion experiments (OSSEs). The testing and interpretation phases representations, and to assimilate cloud measurements directly require applying theory and experience to explain sometimes into the GEOS data assimilation system. unintuitive responses to often complex algorithms.

Dr. Norris implemented an initialization routine for a skewed trian- Over the past year, Dr. Prive was involved in the calibration and gle probability density function (PDF) based on inputs of gridbox validation of the GMAO OSSE framework. Based on test cases total water, condensate, and cloud fraction. This involved some with real data and synthetic OSSE setup, results were compared, detailed mathematical analysis and development of an iterative and synthetic OSSE data and observation errors were modified numerical solution of the implicit solution equations. The method using iterative methods to improve the performance of the OSSE. is now implemented in the MODIS cloud data assimilation (CDA) Also, code for generating synthetic observations for recent observ- code. The Bayesian CDA algorithm was failing in the Californian ing systems was developed. These data include IASI, MHS, and Stratocumulus regime; after extensive analysis, the problem was NOAA-18 radiance observations. The synthetic satellite winds found to be due to inaccurate MODIS cloud top pressures for the were modified to correctly represent clouds and water vapor

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 15 features in the OSSE. The rawinsonde observations (raobs) were improved by including advection of the sondes in the Nature Run fields. These new obser- vations were integrated into the OSSE system, and the OSSE dataset was shifted from the 2005-2006 data network to the 2011-2012 network. Going forward, a new Nature Run is planned using the GEOS-5 model at high resolution. This Nature Run will be evaluated in comparison to reanalyses and observations to determine if the behavior is suf- ficiently realistic for use in OSSEs. GMAO OSSE ob- servation error experiments as well as GMAO OSSE Figure: A comparison of a leading mode of SST, associated with the El Niño rawinsonde experiments were also conducted, Southern Oscillation, simulated by the model (left) and from observations which explored the behavior of observation error in (right) (Y.Vikhliaev). data assimilation and numerical weather forecasts. Results showed that, while the observation errors cal Model (NOBM), specifically in the representation of alkalinity have a significant impact on the data assimilation statistics of within the model. Additionally, Dr. Rousseaux, in collaboration observation minus forecast and analysis increment, the forward with Dr. Gregg, started a literature review of the current carbon model integration tends to reduce the impact of observation variables that can be derived from satellite data. This exercise errors. When the GMAO OSSE was used to perform an experi- highlighted the increasing effort of the scientific community to in- ment to test the impact of the addition of raobs at off-hours (06Z novate in methods to convert the raw radiances directly observed and 18Z), the additional raobs were found to yield only a slight into scientifically useful geophysical products and led to the idea improvement in the analysis quality and forecast skill in the North- of starting a project on assimilating data into NOBM. ern hemisphere. Degradations of the analysis quality were seen in areas of the tropics and Southern hemisphere, due to the sparse This reporting year, Dr. Rousseaux had the opportunity to interact raob network and the behavior of the data assimilation system. with her peers and present her research at various conferences this year. Those included the World Climate Research Programme Dr. Oreste Reale (code 610.1, sponsor S. Schubert) works on a in October 2011. Dr. Rousseaux was awarded an “outstanding task that supports scientific research on climate variability and presentation award” for her efforts. She also presented a talk tropical storms using high-resolution versions of the GEOS-5 entitled “The Effect of ENSO on Phytoplankton Composition in the atmospheric model developed by the GMAO. The sensitivity of the Pacific Ocean” at the NASA Ocean Color Research Team Meeting representation of tropical storms in GEOS-5 to model resolution is in Seattle in April 2012. Another talk will be given at the Asso- evaluated and he uses metrics specific to different categories of ciation for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography in July tropical storms. Dr. Reale assisted in the validation of a long-term 2012. simulation of the Earth’s atmosphere designed for possible use in OSSEs. This simulation was produced with an experimental Dr. Yury Vikhliaev (code 610.1, sponsor M. Rienecker) works on version (cubed sphere) of the GEOS-5 by Dr. Putman (GMAO) and coupled climate modeling and the development of the GEOS-5 is being considered as the next-generation Nature Run for OS- Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Model (GEOS-5 AOGCM) SEs, possibly to replace the current Nature Run produced by the to conduct research in climate variability and predictability on European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast. Dr. Reale interannual-to-decadal time scales. Developed at the NASA has also collaborated with several GMAO scientists to assess the GMAO, the GEOS-5 AOGCM is designed to simulate climate vari- current capabilities of the GEOS-5 system with respect to tropical ability on a wide range of time scales, from synoptic time scales cyclones and more generally tropical atmospheric dynamics. He to multi-century climate change, and is used by the GMAO to as- has co-authored two articles, both related to the African Easterly similate climate data, for climate predictions and for basic climate Jet and Waves. research. While the model produces a realistic, stable mean climate and interannual climate variability, notable deficiencies Dr. Cecile Rousseaux (code 610.1, sponsor W. Gregg) utilizes must be addressed for climate forecasts. To that end, Dr. Vikhli- GMAO data assimilation of ocean color to assess decadal aev conducts and analyzes multi-decadal high-resolution climate changes and interannual variability in the tropical and sub-tropical simulations. Pacific. Her research focuses on ocean phytoplankton popula- tions and their relationship to Earth’s carbon cycle. Her current Over the past year, the model was prepared for a suite of sea- efforts include improvements to the NASA Ocean Biogeochemi- sonal and decadal climate prediction tests under Coupled Model

16 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP-5) framework. Thirty multi- Dr. Sushel Unninayar (code 610.2, sponsor S. Wharton), under decadal numerical climate simulations were conducted, including the guidance of Dr. Jared Entin (NASA HQ), continued interagency tests of a new scheme for river discharge into the ocean and tests coordination and science integration of the Global Water Cycle of the atmospheric aerosol and chemistry model in a fully coupled (GWC) program of the US-Global Change Research Program mode. Analyses evaluated the model’s ability to simulate climate (US-GCRP) together with its interfaces with the other theme ele- on seasonal and decadal time scales. The GEOS-5 exhibits a ments of the GCRP, such as Climate Variability and Chance (CVC), realistic mean climate and climate variability (see figure). Dr. Carbon Cycle (CC), Ecosystems (E), Land Use and Land-surface Vikhliaev presented his analysis of short-term climate variability Change (LULC), and Decision Support and Information Systems in the GEOS-5 AOGCM at the World Climate Research Programme (DSIS). The GCRP recently created a new strategic implementa- (WCRP) conference in October 2011. tion plan, which has been submitted to the White House Office of Science Technology and Policy (OSTP). He collaborated with the GMAO ocean biology modeling group to incorporate an ocean biogeochemistry component into the GEOS- Dr. Unninayar developed the planning specifications for TRACE, 5 AOGCM, and with the GMAO data assimilation group to improve under the rubric of the WCRP/GEWEX and associated with other the representation of the model’s ocean diurnal skin layer. GMAO national/international programs such as CLIVAR and IGBP. TRACE, also participated in the CMIP-5 and in NOAA’s National Multi- a 10-year NASA-sponsored and community-driven initiative, refers Model Ensembles of Seasonal Forecasts (NMME). He contrib- to “Terrestrial North American Hydro-Climate Experiment,” which uted to forecasts by initializing ensembles using the bred vector encompasses the continental USA (CONUS) and Canada and technique. Results from CMIP-5 experimental forecasts were Mexico. TRACE is being reformulated as a North American Water distributed through the Earth System Grid. Dr. Vikhliaev also has Project (NAWP) in order to attract a broader range of agency (na- contributed to the diagnostic analysis of predictions of AMOC. His tional) and international (global) participation and interest. analysis of the decadal forecasts showed potential predictability of the North Atlantic climate for up to several years, and it was Interaction and coordination continued with the international “In- determined that the model’s ability to predict climate on decadal tegrated Global Water Cycle Observations” (IGWCO) theme of the time scales is limited by its biases. Group on Earth Observations (GEO) that coordinates the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS). Dr. Unninayar submitted a “White Paper” to the IGWCO group on the critical CODE 610.2: Global Change Data Center issue of methodology/protocol to extract meaningful signal from Dr. Radina Soebiyanto (code 610.2, sponsor R. Kiang) uses re- global climate change projections for hydro-climatic applications mote sensing technology to monitor, predict and facilitate the con- at the regional to sub-regional to local space scales. This White trol of infectious disease transmission. The objective of her task is Paper also serves as a reference document for discussions on to develop empirical and theoretical models and techniques that the next 10-year plan of the GEO/GEOSS. International coordi- can be used by public health organizations for disease surveil- nation efforts continued to develop a framework for the IGWCO lance and control. Dr. Soebiyanto is a co-I on a NASA-funded contributions and interaction with the Intergovernmental Panel project that aims to identify influenza’s environmental and cli- on Climate Change (IPCC). At a recent IGWCO conference, it was matic risk factors in major population centers worldwide. For this recommended that the IGWCO-IPCC interaction focus on “Climate project, her team collaborates with the CDC Influenza Division, Change and Extremes.” Dr. Unninayar initiated conceptual think- CDC Central American Region (CDC-CAR), CDC Kenya and WHO ing and planning on these important aspects of global climate Regional Office for Europe. As part of capacity building, her team change and impacts on global/regional/local terrestrial water cy- with CDC-CAR conducted a workshop, “Climate and Influenza Cir- cle processes, as also human dimensions. Collaborators include culation”, held in Antigua (Guatemala) in September 2011. As the international and national organizations and agencies; NASA instructor for this workshop, Dr. Soebiyanto provided instruction plays a major role along with national and international partners. on assessing the role of climatic and meteorological parameters The IPCC invited Dr. Unninayar to review the 5th Science Assess- in influenza using mathematical/statistical models. The work- ment Report (AR-5) of the WG-I of the IPCC, which was submitted shop participants included epidemiologists, public health staffs, in January 2012 to the IPCC Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. researchers and meteorologists from the governments, research institutes and universities across Central America region. She Under the auspices of the IGWCO, Dr. Unninayar continued ana- is preparing manuscripts for her influenza study in the Central lytical work, such as examining precipitation observing systems America region - Guatemala, Panama and El Salvador. Going for- and user needs, and provided detailed input to the GEO-UIC ward, she will continue to study analyses of influenza in European project on precipitation requirements. He recently initiated a new countries and Africa as well as continue her research on vector- IGWCO project titled “Global Water Cycle Variability/Change & Ex- borne diseases including malaria and dengue. tremes: A GEO-IGWCO Cross-Cutting Activity/Task to Improve and

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 17 this new system. Additionally, he has coupled the Goddard MMF with Goddard Land Information System (LIS), coupled the MMF and satellite simulator as a new approach for using NASA satellite data, and has improved the scalability and performance of Goddard Multi-scale modeling system.

Dr. Santiago Gassó (code 612, sponsor D. Starr) conducted a radiative transfer study using the existing proposed detec- tor requirements for ACE (Aerosol, Clouds and Ecosystem) satellite and determined the optical features that will permit the identification of marine biogenic aerosols from space (see figure). He initially reviewed existing literature on clean marine aerosol models and their optical properties relevant to remote sensing, and selected an aerosol size distribution Figure: Comparison of seasonal mean surface latent heat fluxes from and index of refractions to be used in the radiative transfer FLUXNET observation, MERRA reanalysis and the MMF-LIS results with simulations. Dr. Gassó then worked on setting up a Mie two different versions of land model in summer 2007. (J.-D. Chern) and a radiative transfer code customized to ACE-viewing conditions and scenarios. He conducted radiative transfer Facilitate Global Water Cycle Observations, Data, Analyses, and simulations of satellite radiances, completed and debugged Modeling Strategies for Monitoring, Early Warning Systems and RT code, carried out RT simulations of satellite TOA reflectances Prediction/Projection of Global Water Cycle Variability/Change for typical marine aerosol models and typical viewing conditions, and Extremes.” The goal of this task is to deliver substantial societal benefits over the next decade through critical advances in water cycle observations and science, facilitate the delivery of accurate/timely applications products to a broad range of user sectors, improve early warning systems, and improve assess- ments of the impact of global change (anthropogenic and natural) on the water cycle at the regional/local scales, all of which will lead to robust policy guidance for the management of natural and economic resources.

CODE 612: Mesoscale Atmospheric Processes Laboratory The representation of convective clouds and cloud systems in a global climate model is one of the most challenging problems in climate modeling. Dr. Jiun-Dar Chern’s (code 612, sponsor W.-K. Tao) research goal is to develop a Multiscale Modeling Framework (MMF) based on NASA’s state-of-the-art global models (GEOS4 and GEOS5), cloud-resolving model (GCE, Goddard Cloud Ensem- ble Model), and global land model (LIS, Land Information System). The idea is to use the cloud-resolving model in each column of a general circulation model to explicitly represent small-scale cloud processes and replace the convectional cumulus parameteriza- tion. Figure: Illustration of an output of those simulations where A new MMF has been successfully developed based on the cou- the full Stokes parameters are shown for two viewing geom- pling of GEOS-5 and GCE models. This new MMF takes advantage etries as a function of optical depth for one selected aerosol of ESMF framework for parallel computing and GEOS-5 for cou- model with moderate absorption and a dark background sur- pling with ocean model, aerosol model, and data assimilation sys- face. (S. Gassó) tem at high vertical resolution. Dr. Chern has successfully carried out two years of simulation and is evaluating the performance of

18 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 and then analyzed model simulations to assess the retrievability dicating that the combined algorithm is able to correctly quantify of marine aerosols. Dr. Gassó attended and presented his results the precipitation portion of the brightness temperature signal. at the 2011 Fall AGU meeting and at a working group meeting at NASA Langley (October), where he met fellow ACE-funded re- In the atmospheric remote sensing community, especially for pas- searchers to discuss future plans on aerosol-ocean interactions sive microwave applications, Monte Carlo (MC) radiative transfer within the ACE project. Project results were also presented in models (RTMs) based on unforced propagation and scattering March to fellow ACE science team members during a teleconfer- are more intuitive and more popular. Therefore, the perturbation- ence. This task has concluded. based methodologies emerged in the biomedical optics field need to be adapted and extended to be useful in atmospheric remote Dr. Mircea Grecu (code 612, sponsor R. Meneghini): Because sensing applications. Testing will continue on applying MC RTM combined precipitation retrievals will be used in both the calibra- and the perturbation methodology to 3-D problems. tion and evaluation of radiometer-only precipitation algorithms, GPM-combined radar-radiometer precipitation retrievals are of Utilizing satellite-based observations from TRMM and Aqua, Dr. paramount importance for the GPM mission. It has previously Mei Han (code 612, sponsor S. Braun) studies winter precipita- been shown that including radiometer observations improve the tion over ocean and land and evaluates the performances of accuracy of radar precipitation estimates over oceans. However, cloud and precipitation models and retrieval algorithms in the over land, the impact of radiometer observations is more difficult middle latitudes. During the reporting year, Dr. Han finished a to quantify because the surface emissivity variability makes the study of the impact of cloud microphysics schemes in the Weath- brightness temperatures more difficult to interpret. To circumvent er Research and Forecasting (WRF) model on the simulations of this challenge, a stochastic parameterization has been developed a wintertime frontal precipitation event. She applied observations to relate the properties of particle size distributions above the from a passive microwave sensor, Advanced Microwave Scan- freezing level to drop size distributions below the freezing level. To ning Radiometer for EOS (AMSR-E) onboard Aqua satellite, and quantify the impact of this parameterization, Dr. Grecu developed an active microwave sensor, a ground-based S-band precipitation the combined radar algorithm under the NASA Precipitation Mea- profiling radar (S-PROF) to investigate the structure of the precipi- surement Missions (PMM) auspices, which has been applied to tation system and to evaluate the impact of different microphysics synthetic data derived from observations collected by the TRMM schemes in the WRF model. This work is the first of its kind to satellite. The combined algorithm’s performance was statistically evaluate four widely used cloud microphysics schemes, including evaluated and results indicated a 15% reduction in the relative GSFC, WSM6, THOM, and MORR, in the WRF model through direct root mean squared errors, when the brightness temperature ob- measurement of remote sensors. It provides suggestions and servations were considered. When incorporating the brightness guidance to improve model representation of precipitation pro- temperature information, the retrieved precipitation improves, in- cesses. The methodology developed in this study has the poten- tial to be utilized to retrieve and assimilate satellite and ground- based remote sensing data. She also conducted a number of simulations with the state-of-art microphysics scheme, the HUCM spectral bin scheme, newly implemented to the WRF model. This scheme provides cloud and precipitation hydrometeor properties according to the size bins of each hydrometeor species. Spectral bin of vertical water paths and total mass profiles of 7 hydrome- teor species were evaluated in her analysis. She plans to perform further analyses of the winter frontal precipitation simulations with the HUCM SBM scheme to gain understanding on the issue of over-predicted precipitation ice mass and scattering in bulk schemes from both physics and dynamics perspectives.

Dr. Hyokyung Kim’s (code 612, sponsor R. Meneghini) research in developing the space-borne radar simulator has contributed to Figure: 2-D histograms of the joint distribution of mean bright- NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement Mission and helped the ness temperatures and associated ensemble variability. The radar algorithm developers to test and evaluate their algorithms ambiguity in interpreting the brightness temperature signal is using synthetic data. Dr. Kim also provided to algorithm develop- apparent in this figure. (M. Grecu) ers the truth precipitation parameters, which were used for gener-

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 19 ating simulated radar data. Evaluation of radar algorithm perfor- TWP-ICE and ARM-SGP simulations suggests that the IE factor (or mance will be undertaken by comparing retrieved parameters by ICC) in tropical clouds (e.g., TWP-ICE) is about 10^3 times larger algorithm to these truth data. He has presented his research re- than that in mid-latitudinal ones (e.g., ARM-SGP). That the IE fac- sults at the 35th Conference on Radar Meteorology in Pittsburgh, tor significantly decreases with increasing latitude makes physical PA, and at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, CA. sense. As a result, the frequent downdrafts or strong vertical mixing in the tropics bring about the large IE factor there. Overall, Dr. Xiaowen Li and Dr. Xiping Zeng (code 612, sponsor W.-K. this study suggests that climate models should represent not only Tao) both use the Goddard cloud-resolving model and satellite/ IN but also the IE factor in modeling the effect of IN variability on field observations to study clouds, precipitation processes and global warming. their roles in radiation and climate. They also develop, test, and improve cloud-resolving model. Dr. Liang Liao (code 612, sponsor R. Meneghini) utilizes the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) and GPM Dual-Wavelength Pre- During this reporting period, Dr. Li saw a major improvement to cipitation Radar to research airborne and spaceborne weather ra- the cloud-resolving model. A state-of-the-science bin spectral dar analyses of hydrometeor profiles, simulations of polarimetric microphysical scheme has been migrated to a unified 3D God- radar signatures in rain and snow, retrievals of the microphysical dard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE) model. This enables more realistic properties and characteristic parameters of drop size distribution, simulations of aerosol-cloud- precipitation interactions. The and the validation of the TRMM standard products using ground- modeled results are also used for algorithm tests for the Global based measurements. Snow, rain and mixed-phase hydrometeors Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM). can potentially be distinguished using Ku-and Ka-band dual- wavelength radar based on theoretical model computations and Using International Cloud Experiment tropical convection cases, analysis of airborne radar measurements for stratiform storm. Dr. she validated the 3D spectral bin microphysical scheme. Using a Liao studied the approach to the NASA JPL Ku- and Ka-band radar cloud simulator (SDSU), the simulated radar reflectivity was com- data for convective storms, and results showed encouragement pared to the C-band surface radar observations, and simulated in this regard if some of the precipitation features are combined vertical velocities were compared with the dual-Doppler radar re- in these procedures. Additionally, computations made at the trievals. Aerosol indirects to the cloud structure and vertical veloc- GPM radar and radiometer frequencies for melting particles are ity are being investigated. In support of the GPM, Dr. Li simulated modeled as stratified spheres to describe a more realistic melting one squall line and one hail storm using large scale forcing. The process. The scattering tables are useful for retrieval of some of results will be compared with both surface and airborne radars, microphysical properties within precipitation melting layers and as well as in-situ measurements. She will work to improve the simulations of the radar bright-band profiles. GCE model and its microphysical schemes as well as realistically simulate large trailing stratiform rain in support of algorithm test- TRMM version-7 algorithms, which were recently released, show ing in GPM. GPM is scheduled to launch in 2014. the TRMM PR version-7 is in slightly better agreement with the ground-based radar than version-6. Further, existence and valid- Dr. Zeng‘s research examined the effect of ice nuclei (IN), a class ity of effective dielectric constants of non-spherical mixed-phase of aerosol particles, on clouds via ice crystal concentration (ICC), hydrometeors were examined. The use of effective dielectric con- which in turn impacts radiation and further global warming. To stants will significantly reduce complexity and computational time quantify the effect of IN variability on global warming, it is impera- in deriving scattering properties of mixed-phase particles. tive to know other dominant factors of ICC besides IN. Dr. Zeng studied the IE factor, which was inferred in his study by compar- Dr. Jainn Jong (Roger) Shi (code 612, sponsor W.-K. Tao) stud- ing long-term cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulations with field ies physical and dynamical processes related to convective-to- campaign remote sensing observations in the tropics and middle regional-scale precipitation systems. He investigates precipitation latitudes. processes associated with various mesoscale convective systems, tropical cyclones, and hurricanes; evaluates and improves the Using various simulations, his approach was applied to estimate representation of cloud processes for regional, climate and global the IE factor over various geographic regions, using observations circulation models; and, uses satellite remote sensing for initial- from field campaigns such as the Tropical Warm Pool – Interna- ization, assimilation and calibrations of numerical models. tional Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) and observations gathered at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Climate Research Facil- In a test that coupled GOCART and the Goddard Cloud Micro- ity Southern Great Plains site (ARM-SGP). The comparison of the physics and Radiation Schemes in the WRF Model, the Goddard

20 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 microphysics and longwave/shortwave schemes in the NASA model run without the aerosol coupling. This result is consistent Unified WRF (NU-WRF) are coupled in real-time with the GOCART with the earlier hypothesis for this research. in WRF-Chem to account for the aerosol direct (radiation) and indirect (microphysics) impact. Two test runs were conducted: Dr. Jason Sippel (code 612, sponsor S. Braun) strives to under- one for an easterly wave convective system in the AMMA region stand hurricane formation and evolution through ensemble fore- over Northern Africa and one for Hurricane Earl (2010) over the casts and data assimilation. Over this past year, he was involved Atlantic Ocean. In the test run for the AMMA region, four different with two field campaigns, including deployment and science team 48hr WRF runs were conducted for the Aug. 6 2006 AMMA case. meetings. In early September 2011, he participated in the Hur- Model results revealed that aerosol (mainly dust) has a positive ricane and Severe Storm Sentinel (HS3) dry run at NASA’s Dryden impact on the overall production of the cloud, while the direct Flight Research Center. Much of his research effort has been aerosol impact on the radiation (through the aerosol radiation ab- geared towards utilizing ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) observa- sorption in the atmosphere) seems to increase the cloud produc- tion system simulation experiments (OSSEs) to analyze the impact tion throughout the whole column, except near the ground. When of assimilating radial velocity observations with the high-altitude only with indirect microphysics impact, the cloud snow production imaging wind and rain airborne profiler (HIWRAP). HIWRAP, a new was reduced and the cloud ice production was increased above Doppler radar mounted upon the NASA Global Hawk unmanned 400 mb, resulting in an increase of anvil cloud area. An analysis airborne system, flies above hurricanes and has the benefit of of the radiation heating profiles shows that aerosol absorption of a 25-30-h flight time. With a much longer range and more on- shortwave created a heating effect around the dust maximum, station capabilities than conventional aircraft, the Global Hawk with the maximum heating increased slightly above the dust is a desirable addition to other observation platforms. Research maximum. In the test run of Hurricane Earl (2010), as Earl was results show that HIWRAP data appear to be incredibly useful for a relatively fast moving hurricane, the inner domain of the test improving hurricane analyses and forecasts, and with improved run was moved automatically during the run every 15 minutes analyses, subsequent forecasts initialized with the EnKF analyses using a vortex center tracking algorithm in the WRF. The test run are also improved. Analyses and forecasts clearly benefit from extended from 12Z Aug. 27, 2010 to 00Z Sep. 1, 2010. For a the 12-h assimilation window more than for shorter periods. In total 108 hours of integration, the model-predicted track of Earl some cases, the full benefit of EnKF analyses might not be real- was almost identical to the best track estimated by the National ized with the typical on-station time of current Doppler-bearing Hurricane Center (NHC) during the first 72 hours of integration, operational aircraft. Results suggest that unmanned systems which actually slightly over-intensified Earl; however, during the could offer valuable observations of tropical cyclone analysis and last 36 hours of integration, the modeled storm had slowed down prediction. and ended up almost 300 km behind the best track. Overall, the model adequately predicted Earl’s intensification and track for Dr. Sippel has presented his findings at AMS Conferences, the the first 72 hours. Results from the test run shows that the AOD EnKF workshop, and the Interdepartmental Hurricane Confer- produced by the coupling is comparable to the AOD observed by ence. In early May, he attended and presented at HS3 and GRIP MODIS-Terra Deep Blue. Strong evidence from the model shows science team meetings at NASA Wallops. Further simulated data that the dust from SAL invaded the hurricane core through the and real data experiments will be conducted involving assimila- hurricane circulation. tion of data obtained from the Global Hawk. He plans to examine the impact of multiple aircraft simultaneously observing a tropical In further high-resolution (WRF) modeling experiments, Dr. Shi cyclone in addition to having multiple observation systems on a conducted a set of 7-day simulations for each day between 11 single aircraft. Looking ahead, he will be heavily involved in the June and 15 July 2008 with aerosol radiative forcing to examine HS3 field campaign with extensive planning during the summer the predictability of convective systems and influences by absorb- of 2012, and the first deployment of the campaign itself from late ing aerosols over northern India and the Himalayas foothills dur- August through early October 2012. As co-investigator for HS3, ing boreal summer. An analysis of the first seven 7-day simula- he will be actively involved in decision-making for which systems/ tions shows that the model with aerosol coupling and surface cyclones to observe and how to observe them. emission data has produced the aerosol and rainfall forecasts comparable to the MODIS and TRMM observations, except that Dr. Lin Tian (code 612, sponsor G. Heymsfield) conducts research the model seems to have over-predicted the rainfall along the to understand the multi-wavelength ground-based and airborne western coast of Indian Peninsula. The predicted precipitation radar measurements of severe storms over land. This past year along the Ganges River from the model run with the aerosol she acquired and analyzed data from the MC3E and HIWRAP. coupling was shifted northeastward toward the hill of the Hima- One of the goals of the Middle Latitude Continental Convective laya Mountain as compared to the forecasted precipitation in the Clouds Experiment (MC3E) is to provide the most complete char-

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 21 acterization of convective cloud and precipitation, which is im- portant for remote sensing of precipitation. During MC3E, a wide range of ground-based radar network provided a great opportunity for her to examine the attenuation in Ku- and Ka- band observa- tions from HIWRAP. A journal paper is underway on comparing HIWRAP and two ground-based S-band radar observations. Both radars are polarimetric Doppler radars operating at S-band; since attenuation at S-band is negligible, once the data is collocated, she can explore the differences of reflectivity among S-, Ku- and Ka-bands. From her analysis of HIWRAP data collected during the MC3E, she identified and corrected several problems associated with radar calibrations. Dr. Tian will be attending upcoming NASA HS3 and GRIP meetings, as well as the HS3 campaign in Sept/ Oct 2012.

Another challenge of rain retrieval over land is the uncertainty of path-integrated attenuation (PIA) from radar measurements. By combining microwave brightness temperature with radar observa- Figure: (a). Cargo ship moving through the scene during air- tions, she and other researchers could improve the PIA estimate borne measurements. (b). The cargo ship can be seen in a and ultimately improve rain estimates over land. Dr. Tian has quick-look image from NASA’s Cloud Absorption Radiometer. (c). collocated MC3E radar and radiometer measurements and is Ocean bidirectional reflectance distribution function at 0.870 working with Dr. Bill Olson and Dr. Mircea Grecu (GESTAR) using μm without and with ship wake. (d). Relative change in reflec- these datasets to test the GPM algorithm. tance in the solar principal plane (Rglint) and off-principal plane (Rnon-glint) due to the presence of ship wake. (C. Gatebe) CODE 613: Climate and Radiation Laboratory In his research, Dr. Charles Gatebe (code 613, sponsor R. Kahn) Dr. Santiago Gassó (code 613, sponsor O. Torres) began work in advances the knowledge of clouds, aerosols, ecosystem structure January 2012 on deriving the spectral slope of aerosol absorp- and function, albedo, and feedbacks to climate. In collabora- tion characteristics of different aerosols using a combination tion with his NASA colleagues, Dr. Gatebe is working on a well- of space-based and ground-based remote sensing. To improve calibrated, atmospherically corrected and feature-rich airborne aerosol characterization from space, he finished an algorithm that dataset for calibration and validation of satellite sensors. He combines MODIS and OMI level 2 aerosol retrievals. This algo- also conducts experiments and develops new methods to define rithm was evaluated by comparing retrievals over AERONET sites important surface and atmosphere radiative transfer functions, spanning 8 years of measurements, as well as evaluating it over and improves remote sensing retrievals of aerosols and clouds specific major pollution events such as the Canadian forest fires using laboratory, ground-based, airborne and satellite remote in July 2006 and August 2007. He also compared the retrieved sensing. He develops instruments and technologies for new height parameter with same height derived by Calipso. Work will measurements in support of future missions, including those continue as he evaluates the MODIS - OMI overlap algorithm, and defined in the U.S. National Research Council Decadal Survey. a related manuscript will soon be in progress. His work over the past year involved the ECO3D Field Campaign, August-September 2011, which acquired data from seven well- Dr. Santiago Gassó (code 613) also performs work under a grant: characterized ecology study sites from Quebec, Canada to Florida “Melting ice, habitat change, nutrient flux, and salmon: Hydrologi- with three different sensors developed at Goddard: the optical, cal, biogeochemical and biological linkages between the Copper multi-wavelength Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR); the Digital River and the coastal Gulf of Alaska”. Daily satellite imagery Beam-forming SAR (DBSAR); and the dual-wavelength, polari- surveillance of dust activity is performed in the Gulf of Alaska. He metric, photon-counting lidar (SIMPL). This instrument suite will has also developed coding for reading and displaying GOES im- provide novel, complimentary information on forest canopy struc- ages in the GOA area. Upcoming plans include visiting his project ture properties. See details on the flight campaign on the Earth partner John Crusius at the SOLAS conference in Cle Elum, WA in Observatory blog, Eco3D: exploring the third dimension of Forest May 2012. Carbon (http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/). He and his colleagues also studied the effects of ship wakes on

22 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 ocean brightness and radiative forcing over the Pacific Ocean (see figure). Based on airborne radiation measurements, they conclud- ed that ship wakes can increase reflected sunlight by more than 100%. This increase is important to climate forcing; further, they Himalayan dust discussed that, although the global radiative forcing effect of ship wake is small, the forcing of wakes is expected to be increasingly important, especially in harbors and coastal regions. transport may lead to

Dr. Ritesh Gautam (code 613, sponsor N. C. Hsu) investigates warmer climate direct and indirect effects of tropospheric aerosols on climate by employing long-term multi-platform satellite and in-situ measure- The following research was featured as a March ments of aerosols, clouds, radiative fluxes, and precipitation. 2012 Highlight on the NASA GSFC Atmospheric He is also involved in quantifying the impacts of aerosols on the Science Research Portal. “Satellite observa- Asian monsoon and tropical cyclones by utilizing both observa- tions of darkening of Himalayan snowpack by tions and modeling tools. Dr. Gautam’s research over the past desert dust deposition” by Ritesh Gautam (code year resulted in several publications and featured highlights (see 613) and co-authors N. C. Hsu, W. K. Lau, and feature). His work on satellite observations of desert dust deposi- Teppei Yasunari (also of GESTAR) discusses tion over the Himalayan snowpack was featured as a Highlight of dust outbreaks in Asia, dust transport to the the Climate and Radiation Laboratory and as a related feature. Himalayas, and the effect this dust has on ac- Related papers on aerosols (accumulation and characterization) celerated snowmelt as a result of lower snow as well as AOD, aerosol emissions, and aerosol properties were albedo and higher solar absorption (see image). published in several peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Gautam also In turn, snow albedo reduction may lead to a gave presentations, some invited, at seminars, science team warmer regional climate with potential implica- meetings, and conferences, including the WCRP OSSC; at the tions to the overall hydrological cycle of south- 2011 Fall AGU meeting, four presentations were given where Dr. ern and eastern Asia. Gautam was a co-author.

Dr. Jingfeng Huang (code 613, sponsor N. C. Hsu) investigates direct and indirect effects of tropospheric aerosols on climate by employing long-term multi-platform satellite and in-situ measure- ments of aerosols, clouds, radiative fluxes, and precipitation. By conducting intensive calibration/validation research, he inves- tigates data uncertainty issues from satellite aerosol retrievals and addresses the issues in aerosol climatic effect studies. He is constructing long-term aerosol climate data records from Sea- WiFS, MODIS, and VIIRS. Dr. Huang and his colleagues conducted intensive cal/val activities for VIIRS aerosol EDR performance evaluation. Their work was to run and monitor VIIRS RGB genera- tion from VIIRS SDR for aerosol interest; run and diagnose VIIRS operational algorithms under algorithm development library (ADL); evaluate the impact from VIIRS band degradation issues to VIIRS aerosol EDR performances; select golden granules and golden Satellite image of major dust outbreak over days for aerosol cal/val purposes; develop and maintain com- South Asia, on 9 June 2003, leading to dust- putational-efficient global regridding tools for VIIRS and heritage capped snow surface in the western Himalayas. aerosol products; develop and maintain VIIRS-AERONET com- parison software; establish daily routine for VIIRS aerosol EDR monitoring; and, work closely with the NPP and JPSS program of- fices for calibration/validation efforts. Results were summarized in several talks presented at various conferences and workshops. Dr. Huang also researches large-scale co-variability of aerosol and precipitation over the 7-SEAS region, as well as on the develop-

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 23 ment and evaluation of the MODIS Deep Blue Collection 6 Aerosol 6 cloud retrievals. A new methodology for estimating baseline Retrievals. pixel-level retrieval uncertainties for the 1.38 µm thin cirrus opti- cal thickness retrieval was developed and implemented within the Dr. Sergey Korkin (code 613, sponsor A. Lyapustin) is involved in framework of the new Collection 6. the development of the numerical radiative transfer algorithm for retrieval of aerosol properties, considering polarization effects, Optical property retrievals from 2006-2011 of MODIS-observed including bottom surface reflection and vertical inhomogeneity marine stratocumulus clouds were completed and “corrected” for of the atmosphere. Particular attention is paid to light scattering an overlying smoke layer off the southern coast of Africa. These by large particles. Over the past year, Dr. Korkin has translated retrievals are collocated with concurrent CALIOP smoke layer opti- his code for numerical simulation of polarized radiative transfer cal thickness retrievals, which are used to estimate the overlying from Matlab into Fortran 90/95. Included in the Fortran code smoke attenuation. Corrected MOD06 retrievals are performed for were bidirectional surface reflectance, scattering by non-spherical pixels with CALIOP smoke-only and smoke/polluted dust retriev- particles, and arbitrary viewing geometry. A separate subroutine als, as well as for CALIOP retrievals scaled by 1.5 (to better match was developed to simulate reflection by a rough (sea) surface in- nighttime CALIOP aerosol statistics). Also, new 1.38 µm look-up cluding the effect of polarization. He plans to use his code, APC, tables (LUTs) using the Cox-Munk approach were constructed for applications where polarization effects are important; he will and implemented for estimated ocean surface reflectance. After perform further validation of the code. significant modification of the existing 1.38 µm cirrus retrieval al- gorithm, the 1.38 µm retrieval is now consistent with assumptions Dr. Dong Min Lee (code 613, sponsor L. Oreopoulos) aims to and methodology with the new MOD06 cloud retrievals. Dr. Meyer enhance the capabilities of the GEOS-5 Atmospheric GCM through will be evaluating the effects of surface-roughened ice crystals on implication and evaluation of new radiation and cloud microphysi- the 1.38 µm cirrus retrieval using various particle shapes and de- cal schemes. His efforts were recognized at an awards ceremony grees of surface roughening in forward look-up table calculations, this past year. which will include incorporating the new ice cloud bulk optical property models for the MODIS Collection 6 reprocessing effort. He has successfully implemented new aerosol cloud microphys- ics into the GEOS-5 GCM. A related paper has been submitted to In her research, Dr. Falguni Patadia (code 613, sponsor R. Kahn) Geoscientific Model Development and he has presented at two uses MISR aerosol data to map the aerosol optical thickness conferences on this topic. He also implemented a new radiation (AOT) gradients and the aerosol air mass types over urban areas. scheme (RRTMG) into the GEOS-5 GCM, and a paper related to She also evaluates the accuracy of aerosol retrievals from MISR in this has been accepted by ACP. Two conference presentations detail and provides recommendations to improve the current stan- were also given on this topic. Dr. Lee integrated the precipita- dard aerosol retrieval algorithm. The assessment is done using a tion characteristics of ISCCP and GCM, and was lead author on a host of in-situ observations from the INTEX-B field campaign over related paper submitted for publication. He also gave a presenta- the Mexico City region. For her INTEX-B Project, a host of ground- tion at WCRP OSC titled “Precipitation Characteristics of ISCCP based and aircraft measurements of aerosol microphysical and Cloud Regimes for Improving GCM Water Cycles”. optical properties were analyzed and used to validate both MISR standard aerosol and research retrieval algorithms. One year of Dr. Kerry Meyer (code 613, sponsor S. Platnick) works on improv- MISR standard aerosol product was analyzed and high-resolution ing current MODIS cloud retrieval (MOD06) capabilities for thin research retrievals of aerosol properties were performed over the cirrus optical property retrievals. Specifically, the MODIS 1.38 INTEX-B field campaign area (the study region). Over urban areas, µm channel is to be used to retrieve thin cirrus optical thickness the sensitivity of the MISR research retrieval algorithm to par- for cases where MOD06 retrievals fail. Dr. Meyer evaluated his ticle properties was tested. Also, Dr. Patadia analyzed data from group’s correlated-k (CKD) routines using a line-by-line (LBL) both the MISR L2 standard aerosol product and from the MISR code, focusing on the applicability of the CKD routines to MODIS research retrievals for the days when MISR made observations spectral channels, which is important to research because an over the DISCOVER-AQ campaign area (D.C to Baltimore). The accurate estimation of atmospheric column transmittance, with objective is to map AOT gradients and aerosol air mass types over respect to the MODIS 1.38 µm channel, a highly absorptive chan- urban areas and to evaluate the accuracy of aerosol retrievals nel, is critical. The CKD routines did compare reasonably, though from the MISR standard algorithm. some large differences exist. He also successfully integrated the 1.38 µm thin cirrus optical thickness retrieval algorithm into the Dr. Patadia provided the MISR L2 data analysis in a collaborative new MOD06 algorithm; this will allow for a thorough evaluation paper written along with Dr. Pawan Gupta and Dr. Maudood Khan of the 1.38 µm algorithm with the upcoming MODIS Collection that addresses the use of satellite data for air quality and aerosol 24 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 trends over urban locations in Pakistan. Additionally, as a part Dr. Guoyong Wen (code 613, sponsor R. Cahalan) studies the of Dr. Patadia’s collaboration with Dibrugarh University, India, an radiative transfer of solar radiation in the atmosphere. Two abstract related to MISR and MODIS data comparisons against specific areas are research on Sun-Climate relations focused on ground observations over Dibrugarh was submitted for the upcom- understanding climate responses to solar variability on decadal, ing COSPAR 2012 meeting. centennial and longer time scales using observations from NASA’s SORCE satellite, Dr. Andrew Sayer (code and studying the 613, sponsor N. C. Hsu) 3D cloud radiative investigates the effects of effects on aerosol re- atmospheric aerosols on the trieval in the vicinity Earth’s radiation budget. of clouds for MODIS Small particles suspended aerosol retriev- in the atmosphere, aerosols als. Over the past are of interest for a variety year, Dr. Wen was of reasons including effects first-author on sev- on climate, air quality, and eral presentations. ocean ecology among others. Investigations will Dr. Sayer’s efforts have been continue regarding directed towards creating correcting 3D cloud and improving algorithms to radiative effects, and determine the atmospheric improving techniques aerosol loading from space- for correcting the based imaging radiometers effects on aerosol through his work with two retrievals. main satellite instruments: MODIS and the Sea-viewing Dr. Yuekui Yang Wide Field-of-view Sensor (code 613, sponsor (SeaWiFS). Over the past A. Marshak) applies year, Dr. Sayer took the lead his expertise in on designing an over-ocean (Image Credit: A. Sayer) radiative transfer in aerosol retrieval algorithm understanding the for SeaWiFS, which has been impact of clouds on included in a major new 13- the surface altim- year dataset from that sensor, along with a modified version of his etry from the future Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 sponsor’s ‘Deep Blue’ aerosol algorithm over land. These efforts (ICESat-2) mission. He also uses a synergistic method to study have resulted in several peer-reviewed journal articles and presen- blowing snow events over the polar ice sheets. This past year, Dr. tations at national and international conferences in the last year. Yang was co-author of a milestone paper on a blowing snow study, which was published in JGR-Atmosphere. This paper presented a A second focus of Dr. Sayer has been on the optical properties new technique for the detection of blowing snow events using sat- of aerosol in maritime environments. This is of great interest be- ellite lidar data. Spatially and temporally collocated multi-channel cause approximately two-thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered MODIS data were used with the lidar data to detect blowing snow by water, but in situ measurements are sparse outside of coastal events in sunlight. The technique was applied to 2 years of lidar regions, and some past satellite observations have suffered from data to obtain the spatial and temporal frequency, layer height biases in certain open-ocean regions. Through collaboration with and optical depth of blowing snow events over Antarctica for 2007 Dr. Smirnov of NASA GSFC, Dr. Sayer has researched the optical and 2009. Blowing snow frequencies as high as 50% were found properties of maritime aerosol and their dependence on meteo- to occur in some regions of Antarctica during the winter. A very rological conditions, which has resulted in several further peer- large, organized blowing snow “storm” was tracked for 3 days and reviewed journal articles and presentations. These studies open estimated to transport a mass of 6.3 x 103 kg m-1 per day, com- up new possibilities to improve satellite algorithms and evaluate parable to surface-based measurements of mass transport during satellite and chemistry transport model data. blowing snow events. Results from the application of the retrieval technique to ICESat data were also presented with a demonstra- GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 25 New technique to detect blowing snow events tion of the large multiple-scattering-induced elevation error that Yuekui Yang (code 613) was a co-author on a milestone pa- blowing snow layers can cause. per titled “Satellite remote sensing of blowing snow properties over Antarctica” and published in JGR. This paper presented a Dr. Yang participates in ICESat-2 Science Definition Team meet- new technique for the detection of blowing snow events using ings and provides suggestions and opinions on the development satellite lidar data. In this technique, spatially and temporally of the project. Another paper by Dr. Yang focused on studying the collocated multi-channel MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging impact of cloud on ICESat-2 measurements and was published Spectroradiometer) data are used with the lidar data for the in IEEE TGRS, which establishes a framework that simulates the detection of blowing snow events in sunlight. The technique behavior of a spaceborne 532-nm micro-pulse photon counting was applied to two years of lidar data to obtain the spatial and lidar in cloudy and clear atmospheres in support of the ICESat-2 temporal frequency, layer height and optical depth of blowing mission. The results show that clouds affect surface altimetry snow events over Antarctica for 2007 and 2009. Blowing snow in two ways: cloud attenuation lowers the average number of ar- with a frequency as high as 50% was found to occur in some riving photons, hence reducing the first photon bias; and, cloud- regions of Antarctica during the winter. A very large, organized forward-scattering increases the photon path length and makes blowing snow “storm” was tracked over three days and was es- the surface appear further away from the satellite. timated to transport a mass of 6.3 x 103 kg m-1 per day, which is comparable to surface-based measurements of mass trans- On another task, Dr. Yuekui Yang (code 613, sponsor A. Marshak) port during blowing snow events. Results from the application is developing a cloud top height retrieval algorithm suited for oper- of the retrieval technique to ICESat data were also presented ational use with the Oxygen A and B band data to be provided by with a demonstration of the large multiple scattering induced the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) onboard the fu- elevation error that blowing snow layers can cause. ture Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR). As the first step, the Fast Retrieval Scheme for Clouds from the Oxygen A band Citation: Palm, S. P., Y. Yang, J. D. Spinhirne, and A. Marshak (2011), algorithm (FRESCO) developed for the Global Ozone Monitoring Satellite remote sensing of blowing snow properties over Antarcti- Experiment (GOME) mission will be used as a starting point; sec- ca, J. Geophys. Res., 116, D16123, doi:10.1029/2011JD015828. ond, an analysis will be conducted on how Oxygen A and B band can complement each other; third, a new algorithm that combines Oxygen A and B band will be developed. The model itself is based on the Lambertian cloud reflectance concept. Tests of the model have been conducted with the EPIC simulator data with promising results. The model is well-structured and can be easily adapted to future operational use. With this model, the DSCOVR cloud top pressure product can be generated. Going forward, Dr. Yang will test the retrieval model with SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption SpectroMeter for Atmospheric CartograpHY) data; SCIAMACHY is onboard the ENVIronmental SATellite (ENVISAT).

Dr. Weidong Yang (code 613, sponsor A. Marshak) conducts research to support the understanding and retrieval of the aerosol property variations near cloud by using optical imaging and laser lidar instrumental measurements onboard MODIS, CALIPSO and other satellites. He studies aerosol-cloud interaction, a source of uncertainty in accurately estimating the radiative budget. This year, he investigated property changes of trans-atlantic dust Blowing snow detected by CALIPSO on 13 October 2009, by using CALIPSO measurements, and analyzed variations of 08:46 UTC over Antartica. The top panel shows the CALIPSO properties near cloud in and below the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). track and a false color MODIS image (see text) for the area Methods were explored to mitigate 3-D effects from nearby cloud within the rectangular box on the map. The blowing snow in ADO retrievals using MODIS data. Dr. Yang was co-author on detected by the algorithm is shown in the middle and bottom several articles this past year. panels. The color bar in the bottom shows the range of back- scattter magnitude (km-1 sr-1) within the blowing snow layer.

26 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 CODE 614: Atmospheric Chemistry and OMNO2 is a production application that performs the last step

Dynamics Laboratory in the production of the OMI Level 2 NO2 standard data product. In particular, it analyzes the data from multiple orbits to effect a Dr. Nader Abuhassan (code 614, sponsor J. Rodriguez) is in separation of the stratospheric and tropospheric columns, and charge of assembling, testing and deploying the Pandora systems. writes to the Level 2 files these two, plus a total column. Dr. Ce- An innovative concept and a cost-effective approach to address larier completed two updated cycles (2.0 and 2.1), and, along with the currently missing component of a continuous and real-time the NO2 group, has replaced the algorithm for the straosphere-tro- local monitoring of trace gases was realized by the develop- posphere separation (STS) from the previous forward-processing ment of the PANDORA and CLEO sensors. These Goddard-built version. The code is now stable, and will be used in reprocess- instruments are based on hyper-spectral measurements of trace ing the entire mission dataset. In the near future, he will rewrite gas (NO , O , HCHO, H O, and SO ) column amounts and ozone 2 3 2 2 the software to produce a level-3 OMNO2 data product, taking profiles. Tropospheric NO high diurnal variability is influenced by 2 advantage of all the improvements that have gone into the OM- both natural and anthropogenic emissions. Fossil fuel combus- NO2B and OMNO2 level-2 data products. Dr. Celarier along with tion is a major source of NO , and high NO concentrations are 2 2 members of the OMI NO2 group rewrote and edited the Readme usually confined to areas with high industrial activities. Further, file that is published with the OMNO2 data as a general guide to near-surface pollution is one of the most challenging problems for data usage for the end users. Also, he rewrote and edited the file Earth observations from space. Dr. Abuhassan has remotely moni- specification document for OMNO2 version 2.0, and has almost tored the instruments in the field on a daily basis and provided completed the revision for OMNO2 version 2.1. technical support to the scientists for the data processing and interpretation. He also provided pre- and post-field calibrations for Dr. Richard Damoah (code 614, sponsor A. Douglass) supports all the Pandora systems, and successfully assembled and tested the ACMAP research project by analyzing ozone and water vapor 16 Pandora spectrometer systems during the past year. All the from 3D models and observations. He will also support the ACCRI instruments were actively used in support of NASA’s Aura valida- (Aviation Climate Change Research Initiative) research program tion program and 12 Pandora systems were deployed in support (Dr. Henry Selkirk, GESTAR, PI) by providing his expertise in the of the 2011 DISCOVER-AQ program in Maryland. Dr. Abuhassan studies of modeling aviation climate impact. Dr. Damoah will be deployed Pandora systems in Alaska, Finland and South Korea. involved in NASA’s field flight measurement, Airborne Tropical TRo- popause EXperiment (ATTREX), in which he will apply his knowl- Going forward, Dr. Abuhassan will complete the integration of a edge in meteorological and tracer transport forecasts in the flight new generation of spectrometers with higher sensitivity and lower planning, especially in constructing a forecast system to help in noise into the Pandora systems. Eight new Pandora systems will the day-to-day flight planning for the mission. Also, Dr. Damoah be built, and support will be provided to the deployment of differ- (Co-I) and Dr. Selkirk (PI) have received support from ROSES to ent national and international instruments and inter-comparison launch balloonsondes to profile water vapor and ozone as well as campaigns. In preparation for the next DISCOVER-AQ campaign, winds and temperature as part of the SEAC4RS (Southeast Asia he will test new direct Sun and Sky measurements routines to Composition, Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study) mission support NASA’s efforts in measuring column amounts and profil- to be held in Thailand in August-September 2012. He will assist ing of trace gases such as NO , O , HCHO, BrO and SO . 2 3 2 the flight planning team through the provision of tracer forecast system. Dr. Edward Celarier (code 614, sponsor N. Krotkov) updates and modifies algorithm codes for enhancements to the algorithm For ATTREX, Dr. Damoah constructed meteorological and tracer along with members of the OMI NO2 team. The algorithm is re- forecast systems using Lagrangian modeling, which helped in the viewed and tested, and communication is ongoing with members daily planning of the flight campaign. He will participate in the AT- of the team. He completed two updated cycles for the OMNO2B TREX science meeting schedule for June 2012. As part of ACCRI, application (2.0 and 2.1). OMNO2B is a production applica- he successfully installed a radiative transfer model for aviation tion that calculates various air mass factors for use in the later radiative forcing (RF) calculations to analyze climate effects due processing to calculate stratospheric and tropospheric nitrogen to aviation. He contributed to some of the science objectives for dioxide columns from data measured by the Ozone Monitoring the SEAC4RS mission at the team meeting this past February, Instrument (OMI). Numerous improvements have been made, and participated in SEAC4RS balloon sounding training held at including better and faster numerical integration, improved lookup Pennsylvania State University in April. tables, and the inclusion of additional data fields that have been requested by the user community. Also included were additional Dr. Thomas Diehl (code 614, sponsor M. Chin) investigates the geolocation information (field-of-view geometry) and improved role of aerosols in climate change and air quality through global/ metadata. GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 27 Learn remote sensing of air quality with ARSET Dr. Pawan Gupta (code 614, task 129, sponsor J. Joiner) helmed the NASA Applied Remote Sensing Education and Training (ARSET) this past year. Training was provided in such forms as online courses, workshops, tutorials, and in-person seminars. Each online course lasted five weeks. For the first online course, Dr. Gupta provided materials and presented lectures to 60+ participants worldwide. ARSET hosted its second online course on the fundamentals of remote sens- ing of air quality during February and March 2012. About 70 attendees participated. Dr. Gupta planned the development and delivered lectures. He also created and maintained an online survey to obtain feedback on the presentations.

Dr. Gupta prepared and presented a talk on ‘Overview of Sat- ellite Remote Sensing of Air Quality – History and Literature’ as well as several talks on various satellite data products and their applications for air quality trainings. He developed IDL- and Excel-based exercises to convert satellite observa- tions into air quality index; these exercises were presented during the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO) in-person training in Madison, WI. Along with other scientists, Dr. Gupta conducted an in-person 4-day-long training work- shop on the use of NASA satellite data sets for air quality monitoring. Hosted by LADCO at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, this workshop consisted of 20 participants from the LADCO region. Dr. Gupta gave several lectures on differ- ent NASA satellite data sets and their application for local air (Image Credit: T. Diehl) quality monitoring. This training had both tutorials and hands- on activities. regional modeling studies and data analysis. He improved and debugged the GEOS-5 based version of the GOCART aerosol At GSFC, Dr. Gupta prepared and presented an overview talk model with respect to the emission of DMS, the dry deposition on satellite remote sensing of air quality to program manag- scheme, and I/O related issues. Model runs were performed and ers from NASA HQ during a one-day workshop. He also partici- results were evaluated with GEOS-4-based GOCART data. Various pated in the discussion and planning of the future air quality modifications and implementations to diagnostic schemes and trainings within US and internationally. models were made to account for differences in the MERRA re- analysis as compared to the GEOS-4 fields, as well as to provide Further, Dr. Gupta has developed an IDL-based module for detailed information on precipitation type and cloud type. In his dust detection from MODIS high resolution measurements. collaboration with Drs. Peter Colarco (code 614) and Arlindo da This module was successfully used during several trainings, Silva (GMAO) on the convection parameterization in the offline including one in Australia. He has contributed to the develop- and online GOCART versions, Dr. Diehl investigated the differ- ment of an air quality training proposal submitted to NASA ences in the budget between the two versions, specifically with re- Applied Science program for year 2012-2013. spect to the sulfate cycle. Several short-term runs were conducted with individual processes turned off, to identify possible causes of Materials and additional information regarding ARSET can be the differences. found at http://airquality.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

In a previous hindcast experiment for the major aerosol types (black carbon, organic carbon, dust, sea salt, sulfate) for 1980-

2007, the SO2 emissions over Europe used for this run were un- realistically large for the period after 1990. Dr. Diehl performed a new hindcast with SO2 emissions from the EDGAR v4.1 database, which reflected the decrease of European emissions after 1990. Two GOCART runs were conducted for the AeroCom direct forcing project, in which the goal was to estimate the aerosol direct effect by multi-model inter-comparison studies (see figure at left). Both runs are based on 2006 meteorology: one uses anthropogenic emissions from 2000, the other uses emissions representative for 1850, as provided by AeroCom/CMIP5. Results were uploaded

28 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 to AeroCom and discussed at the 10th AeroCom workshop in Aerosol observations from multiple satellites over global mega- October 2011 at Kyushu University. A problem with biomass burn- cities were analyzed for long-term trends and spatial distribution ing emissions was detected, and the data was reprocessed and to assess the surface air quality in these urban regions. Results resubmitted. Subsequent comparisons with other model results were presented as an oral presentation and submitted as an showed that the GOCART zonal mean TOA radiative forcing is article. Dr. Gupta led an effort to develop a statistical method close to the model mean. Additionally, several GOCART hindcast based on artificial neural network to estimate TOA shortwave flux runs for 1980-2010 or subsets of this period were performed. using UV observations from the OMI sensor onboard NASA Aura The model was adapted to process a new set of oxidant fields satellite. OMI retrievals of cloud/aerosol parameters and O3 were from CCM timeslice experiments, daily biomass burning data from collocated with CERES TOA SW flux retrieval; these collocated GFEDv3, and new optical tables for non-spherical dust particles data sets were used to train neural networks to estimate TOA for these runs. Several run scripts were created, model bugs were shortwave flux globally over ocean. The sensitivity of the neural fixed, and performance and stability issues were resolved. De- network SW flux estimation to the choice of input parameters has tailed instructions were provided to other scientists on conducting been analyzed. Application of such neural networks to OMI heri- and monitoring some of these hindcasts. tage measurements from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) series can potentially provide a unique long-term global In summer 2011, NASA began a multi-year airborne field cam- record starting in late 1978. paign (DISCOVER-AQ) to tackle the challenge of distinguishing between pollution in the atmosphere and pollution near ground- level. In support of this mission, Dr. Melanie Follette-Cook (code 614, sponsor K. Pickering) performed regional air quality model- ing and analysis of mission data. She participated in DISCOVER- AQ field deployments as part of the forecasting and flight planning team. Other DISCOVER-AQ activities include analysis of data from the ACAM instrument, and she has begun a 1.5 month simulation of the DISCOVER-AQ period using the Weather Research and Fore- casting model with online chemistry (WRF/Chem). Dr. Follette- Cook also participates in activities under NASA’s Air Quality Applied Science Team. In support of planning activities for NASA’s GEO-CAPE satellite, she contributed to spatial and temporal vari- ability analyses. She used a WRF/Chem simulation previously performed in order to quantify trace gas and aerosol variability.

The trace gases O3, NO2, CO, SO2, and HCHO, as well as PM2.5, were analyzed over the Eastern US for a high ozone episode that occurred on July 9, 2007.

Dr. Pawan Gupta (code 614, sponsor J. Joiner) uses data from various satellites to estimate cloud and aerosol properties, specifi- cally conducting data analyses from the NASA Aura OMI. OMI, an ultraviolet and visible wavelength spectrometer, is used primarily to retrieve information about absorbing aerosol and trace-gases Figure: Maps of gridded effective cloud fraction from the such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide; it also provides information OMI cloud RRS algorithm (a) and cloud OCP from CloudSat about cloud vertical structure, for accurate retrievals of trace-gas (b) for July 2007. (P. Gupta) concentrations and aerosol properties, and is of scientific interest itself. He also evaluates and refines techniques for current and future satellite missions, and evaluates estimates of surface par- ticulate matter from the NASA GEOS-5 DAS. During this contract Dr. Hiren Jethva’s (code 614, sponsor O. Torres) current research year, Dr. Gupta performed a detailed evaluation of OMI-retrieved provides a comparative analysis of aerosol (smoke, dust, and cloud optical centroid pressure using Cloudsat and MODIS re- sulfates) absorption retrievals from the ground-based, optical trievals. The analysis was published as a peer-reviewed paper in network (Aerosol Robotic Network) and the space-based OMI. This Atmos. Meas. Tech. (see figure). analysis is aimed at comparing the consistency between the two

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 29 independent retrieval techniques and investigating the sources model results are significantly sensitive to given meteorological of discrepancies between them. Dr. Jethva is also carrying out a inputs. Future studies may be necessary to investigate a more time-series analysis of the re-processed OMI aerosol retrieval over quantitative analysis. monthly, seasonal, and annual scales. Specifically, Dr. Jethva has carried out a comparative analysis of Mr. Matthew Kowalewski (code 614, sponsor S. Janz) provides the single-scattering albedo retrieved by OMI and AERONET over scientific and engineering support to the following: Radiometric more than 40 AERONET sites distributed across the globe. The Calibration and Development Laboratory (RCDL) at GSFC; the results showed that both retrievals are in reasonable to good Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE); agreement within their respective uncertainties at many AERONET the Ozone Mapping Profiler Suite (OMPS) onboard the NPOESS stations. However, over certain locations over the desert, where Preparatory mission (NPP) and Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS); the dust aerosols are the major component of the atmospheric Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from Column and Ver- load, the two retrievals showed some discrepancies. To address tically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER- this issue, a sensitivity analysis was invoked in which the impact AQ); and, the Pandora instrument network. of algorithmic assumptions (i.e., the surface albedo) on the satel- lite retrievals was analyzed. Dr. Jethva presented a poster at the AGU Fall Meeting held in San Francisco in December 2011 that highlighted the results briefly described above.

Additionally, Dr. Jethva has explored the possibilities of detecting and quantitatively retrieving absorbing aerosols situated above cloud from the reflectance measurements made by MODIS. Simi- larly, he has pursued research to estimate errors in MODIS cloud optical depth retrieval due to aerosol absorption.

Dr. Dongchul Kim (code 614, sponsor M. Chin) investigates global and regional aerosol composition and distribution of dust. He also researches aerosol optical properties, long range transport, and aerosol impact on climate using global and regional scale models and observation data. He completed a dust optical property study over North Africa using AERONET, which resulted in a published paper in ACP. He also developed the dynamic dust source func- tion using AVHRR-NDVI data for global and modeling studies. These results were presented at a meeting as well as in a submit- Figure: a map of ACAM slant column NO2 during DISCOV- ted paper. ER-AQ on July 21, 2011 along the I-95 corridor. (M. Kowalewski) One of the most important aerosols in North Africa and one of the most abundant aerosols in the Atlantic Ocean, dust affects regional air quality and global climate. Even though understand- During 2011’s NASA DISCOVER-AQ field campaign over Baltimore- ing dust sources and its distribution in the region over the past Washington DC, the Airborne Compact Atmospheric Mapper decades has increased, it is necessary to reduce existing uncer- (ACAM) instrument was used to measure NO2, Ozone, and other tainties. To study how dust behaves in long-term simulations that pollutants. Mr. Kowalewski coordinated the instrument’s prepara- cross decadal time spans, Dr. Kim investigates the dust aerosol tions prior to and operations during much of the campaign. ACAM cycle in North Africa and the Atlantic Ocean using the long-term operated flawlessly and was used for extended measurements to multi-model simulations between 1980 and 2007. Another study support flights targeting specific sources for the EPA. He assessed examines dust emission sensitivity based on meteorological input. radiometric stability, linearity, and stray light performance, and Dr. Kim tested how dust emissions were affected by different coordinated the software development and processing for the meteorological fields using the NASA GOCART model for aerosol initial data delivery of ACAM trace gas products, and developed simulations and several versions of the NASA GEOS model for software to geolocate and map the derived science products. meteorological calculations (GEOS4-offine, GEOS5-offline, GEOS5- Between Pandora’s measurements and ACAM’s nadir-viewing re- replay, and GEOS5-freerun). Results showed that the GOCART trievals a good correlation exists in structure of the NO2. Different

30 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 retrieval algorithm results using only the ACAM data were largely of the results (also available on the website he maintains for the consistent in structure, but different in absolute slant column project), Mr. Kucsera reproduced a complete workable version values. for the AERONET group, and the products were once again made available to the global scientific community through the AERONET In October 2011, the NPOESS Preparatory Project’s (NPP) Ozone website. His System Administration support and support to Deep Mapping Profiler Suite (OMPS) launched into space. In the mis- Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) (East Coast) and DIS- sion’s early orbit checkout (EOC) phase, Mr. Kowalewski identified COVER-AQ field campaigns included work on group workstations, and prioritized analysis tasks, data access issues, and software laptop computers, and clustered disk storage arrays; for the mis- coding, and was part of the instrument science team’s evaluation sions, he generated satellite products on a near real-time basis, of the operational impacts from the contamination issues aboard which were used for mission planning and for direct inter-com- the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). In the Ra- parisons to aircraft and field instrument collected data. He will diometric Calibration and Development Laboratory (RCDL), where be supporting DC3 (mid-west) and SouthEast Asia Composition, prototype instrumentation and components are developed and Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study (SEAC4RS) field mission maintained for use in solar backscatter research, Mr. Kowalewski campaigns in the future. He is also preparing for the relocation of oversees technical activities and supervises two lab personnel in central workstations and data disk storage arrays to Building 32’s tasks related to lab instrumentation enhancements, ACAM data computer facility room (planned for October 2012). analysis, lab testing, and instrumentation development. He also leads the instrument development effort of the GEOCAPE Airborne Dr. Michael Kurylo (code 614, sponsor J. Rodriguez) provides Simulator (GCAS). His work with instrument systems includes, support for several national and international activities important among other items, defining mechanical, electrical and optical to NASA’s Atmospheric Composition Focus Area in Earth Science. design requirements. His support covers participation in the programmatic leader- ship of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composi- Mr. Tom Kucsera (code 614, sponsor M. Chin) supports global tion Change (NDACC) and consultancies to the SPARC Project of and regional modeling and analysis of atmospheric aerosols and World Climate Research Programme, to the International Ozone trace gases and supports NASA-sponsored observational pro- Commission, to UNEP and WMO on activities associated with the grams. He compiles observations from satellite, ground-based, Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the and in-situ measurements for model input, evaluation, and Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, improvement; execution and evaluation of atmospheric modeling and to the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Reference codes; development of diagnostic software for analysis of model Upper Air Network (GRUAN). He also collaborates with scientists output and satellite data; and development and maintenance of at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in websites for user access to large central databases of model out- the evaluation of photochemical and kinetic data by the NASA/ put. Mr. Kucsera performs software and hardware management, JPL Panel for Data Evaluation and in the study of the atmospheric and computer administration duties. degradation of ozone- and climate-related trace gases.

This past year, he developed GOCART software analysis pack- As a co-author for Chapter 3 (“Atmospheric Loss Processes”) ages designed with the capability of generating a large number in this reevaluation being conducted under the Stratospheric of diagnostic images from GOCART modeling simulations. These Processes and their Role in Climate (SPARC) project of WCRP, Dr. software packages take monthly averaged GOCART modeling Kurylo has a key role in updating reaction rate parameters and results to generate global and regional images. Global yearly photolysis cross sections covered by this assessment. In working averaged, zonal averages, and trace species concentrations at with the lead and co-authors, they have finalized recommenda- specified levels were incorporated. He also participated in the tions for the kinetic parameters of the OH radical, O (1D) atom, Aerocom project, and processed GMI model results and scientific and Cl atom reactions and for the UV photolysis cross-sections, data products. Mr. Kucsera generated extensive benchmark prod- and on drafting and editing the supplemental material to accom- ucts for both of the GEOS-4 30-year standardized GOCART model pany the recommendations. The SPARC Lifetime Reevaluation As- simulations. sessment is expected to be finalized and published by early 2013. Dr. Kurylo is an Ex-Officio member of the Scientific Steering Group He is processing 372 sites of AERONET sites, generating analyses for the SPARC project of WCRP. His key area of input has been in on a twice daily basis. Due to hardware and disk problems, long- areas pertinent to ground-based measurements such as those term records of the back trajectory analyses were lost that he had conducted under the NDACC. In addition, as the Chair of the past been generating, over the past decade. From his detailed archive few Meetings of Ozone Research Managers (ORM) of the Parties

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 31 to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, he tions including estimating NOx emissions, deriving ground-level has discussed the (ORM) recommendations in the area of system- NO2 concentrations, and evaluating chemistry-transport and air atic measurements as they pertain to the critical measurement quality models. Broader user communities will benefit from this needs among the various SPARC projects. improvement. Also, in this contract year, Dr. Lamsal compared

NO2 retrievals from the OMI mission with the ground-based PAN-

Dr. Kurylo is working with NDACC Instrument Working Group DORA, in-situ aircraft NO2 measurements during the DISCOVER-AQ Representatives to coordinate pertinent data from two decades field campaign, in-situ surface measurements from photolytic and of NDACC ozone profiling instruments. During the 1990s, ozone molybdenum converter measurements, and bottom-up emission profile trends deduced from satellite and ground-based instru- estimates. The new tropospheric NO2 retrievals were consis- ments showed substantial discrepancies; thus, a SPARC/IO3C/ tent with bottom-up emissions and compared very well with the GAW Assessment of Trends in the Vertical Distribution of Ozone ground-based PANDORA measurements and in-situ aircfraft and was organized and its findings were published in 1998. With surface measurements. the end of certain satellite records, a new SPARC/IO3C/IGACO/ NDACC (SI2N) initiative has been organized in an effort to improve Dr. Qing Liang (code 614, sponsor A. Douglass) provides ex- the knowledge and understanding of the past changes in the ver- pertise in tropospheric chemistry and the role of emissions in tical distribution of ozone. Satellite, ground-based, and airborne determining the coupling between chemical composition and the measurements are being critically analyzed, as are methods of climate system. Dr. Liang has conducted the GEOS CCM simula- preparing combined data sets. tion with coupled very-short-lived bromocarbons to examine how much these bromocarbons contributed to stratospheric conditions Dr. Kurylo serves as an adviser to the GRUAN Working Group on from 1960-2010. She also examined how this additional bromine Atmospheric Reference Observations in the areas of network impacted stratospheric ozone in the past as a commitment to her organizational structure and operations. He has participated in awarded ACMAP project. Results are being analyzed and prepared the annual GRUAN implementation and coordination meetings for publication. and will soon participate in a GRUAN Network Expansion Work- shop, where he will relate experiences in this area from 20 years As a lead author of Chapter 5 as well as co-author of Chapter of NDACC leadership. In June, he will attend a GRUAN Network 2 of the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Lifetimes Assess- Design Workshop in Germany to help develop the criteria to guide ment Report sponsored by the Stratospheric Processes And their Network expansion over the coming years. The workshop organiz- Role in Climate (SPARC) organization, she has been coordinating ers have indicated their desire that GRUAN expansion be well an international modeling effort that includes designing model aligned with NDACC plans, thereby avoiding unnecessary dupli- experiments, provides emissions and model data storage, and in- cation. Dr. Kurylo has served as either Chair or Co-Chair of the volves nine international CCM groups to participate in this assess- Steering Committee for NDACC, which is internationally acclaimed ment effort. The first draft of Chapter 5 has been completed and for providing high-quality verifiable data for numerous atmo- submitted for reviews. The next phase involves coordinating with spheric constituents and parameters from the upper troposphere reviewers and revising the draft to prepare for final publication. through the stratosphere. NDACC data have been used in numer- Dr. Liang has been collaborating with Dr. Kenneth Pickering on a ous ozone and climate assessments and are currently important MAP deep convection project by conducting GEOS CCM Combo in both the SI2N and GRUAN activities highlighted earlier. He chemistry simulations to examine the impact of convection stepped down from his Co-Chair position on the Steering Commit- strength on tracer transport. She also works with GESTAR’s Dr. tee in 2011 and currently serves in an Emeritus Position to assist Henry Selkirk on his ACCRI project by conducting analyses of CCM in guiding future NDACC activities. simulations to examine the chemical impact of aviation on tropo-

spheric O3 chemistry.

Tropospheric NO2 vertical columns retrieved from satellite instru- ments have been applied in numerous air-quality, modeling, Dr. Jianping Mao (code 614, sponsors J. Abshire, A. Marshak, J. and validation studies. Current retrievals of NO2 vertical column Rodriguez) provides support to the development of Goddard’s CO2 density from OMI are biased, and many areas for improvement laser sounder, the ASCENDS mission studies, the refurbishing ef- have been identified. These include a-priori NO2 vertical profiles, fort for EPIC instrument for mission DSCOVR, and the UV reflec- stratosphere-troposphere separation, surface reflectivity data tance data analysis for MEASURE program in constructing climate base, and stripes removal. Dr. Lok Lamsal’s (code 614, sponsor data records from satellite measurements. He also participates N. Krotkov) current research is focused on the improved treat- in related research with GOSAT data. ment of these parameters, reprocessing NO2 vertical columns from OMI, and validating the retrievals. The improved retrieval of Dr. Mao contributed to the Goddard CO2 laser sounder and the tropospheric NO2 columns will then be applied for various applica- ASCENDS mission studies by generating optical depth Look-Up-Ta- 32 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 bles for all 2011 ASCENDS science flights for validating both CO2 surements; and assessing effects of climate change on regional and O2 measurements, and performed CO2 and O2 measurement air quality and emission change on climate. Dr. Pan focused on simulations for all 2011 ASCENDS science flights with in-flight “feeding” the model a best set of aerosol emission inventories and in-situ data. A series of sensitivity studies were conducted by updating the anthropogenic aerosol emissions and natural for both airborne and space-based CO2 and O2 measurements. emissions. Multi-year 3-D oxidants fields from CCM ACCMIP run He also updated and tested the spectroscopy database and the are now available for GEOS5 to calculate the chemical production Line-By-Line Radiative Transfer Model used for measurement of sulfate with the interannual variation. In order to study the simulations. He participated in presentations at conferences and decadal variability of the aerosol as expressed in her sponsor’s workshops and contributed to papers on these topics. MAP proposal, Dr. Pan also prepared a set of long-term emissions (1980-2010) for GEOS5, mainly based on the AeroCom phase II He supported the refurbishment of the EPIC instrument for the emission inventory. Her work mentioned above not only improved

DSCOVR mission by performing a sensitivity analysis for both O2 the inputs of GOCART but also other aerosol-related models, such A- and B-band filters for the Angle of Incidence of sunlight, center as GMI. Through the use of sensitivity experiments done with wavelength shifts, atmospheric temperature and water vapor. He GEOS5, Dr. Pan also investigated the potential reasons respon- generated LUTs as a function of cloud height and solar zenith sible for BC anthropogenic emissions in East Asia (India). angles in both O2 A- and B-band for cloud height retrieval algo- rithm development. For the MEASURE program, he constructed She has integrated the offline-GOCART towards the online-GO- climate data records from satellite measurements to support the CART, mainly by migrating and remapping all inputs associated analysis of UV reflectance data. And, MODIS and GOSAT surface with emissions from offline-GOCART to online-GOCART. Experi- reflectance data was analyzed near both CO2 and O2 bands. ments were conducted and results compared, resulting in the identification of an important discrepancy existing in the two Dr. Mark Olsen (code 614, sponsor A. Douglass) conducts models: the wet deposition through convective scavenging. Her research focused on the analysis of stratosphere-troposphere study has facilitated the transition from offline GOCART to online exchange, transport in the lower stratosphere and troposphere, GOCART for her group and bridged the “gap”. Further, she ana- and the coupling of stratosphere and troposphere in both global lyzed the aerosol emissions inventories from AeroCom, which is atmospheric data sets and output from global models. Global, an open international initiative of scientists interested in advanc- regional and process studies on seasonal, annual and longer ing the understanding of global aerosol and its impact on climate, time scales are used to investigate topics concerning trends, and she provided a comprehensive overview for other modelers in exchange, circulation and transport, influences of layers, and her contribution to the IPCC-AR5 report. Her work was presented evaluation of models. at the 10th AeroCom Workshop in October 2011.

This past year, Dr. Olsen analyzed ozone data from MLS and Dr. Henry Selkirk (code 614, sponsor A. Douglass) characterizes MERRA meteorological fields to estimate the extratropical flux of the vertical structure and variability of water vapor and ozone ozone from the stratosphere to the troposphere from 2005-2010. in the tropical upper troposphere and lower stratosphere using Interannual variability is greater in the Northern Hemisphere balloon sondes. He conducts analyses of transport and moisture where the variability is 15% of the multi-year mean, compared processes in observations and models by examining transport to 6% in the Southern Hemisphere. The variability in the ozone processes in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, flux examined here is important to the possible detection and particularly in the tropics and subtropics and by assessing the significance of an increase in the transport of ozone into the representation of moist processes in the GMI chemical transport troposphere. Additionally, Dr. Olsen continued with improvements model and the GEOS CCM. He provides scientific support of NASA to the GMAO ozone assimilation system; as a result, dry deposi- airborne missions including ATTREX and the Southeast Asia Com- tion and the OMI weighting function were added to the assimila- position, Cloud Climate Coupling Regional Study (SEAC4RS). Dr. tion. Finally, Dr. Olsen continued to refine the OMI/MLS TRAJ TOR Selkirk and co-I Dr. Damoah (GESTAR) recently had their proposal product. to make water vapor measurements selected for the SEAC4RS mission in Thailand during August and September 2012. Dr. Xiaohua Pan (code 614, sponsor M. Chin) investigates the role of aerosols in climate change and air quality through global/ Dr. Selkirk’s team at the University of Costa Rica in San José regional modeling studies and data analysis. Specific research ar- made 49 weekly balloon sonde launches, measuring profiles of eas include simulating global aerosol distributions with the GSFC ozone, and water vapor measured by the cryogenic frostpoint global modeling system; compiling and assessing emissions for hygrometer (CFH). Going back to 2005, this is the longest continu- model input; analyzing satellite and ground-based aircraft mea- ing series of water vapor and ozone profiles in the tropics and

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 33 contributes to the archive of water vapor and ozone measure- Balloon sonde ments in the tropics. He and his team in Costa Rica reprocessed the entire 6½-year data set of balloon sondes to remove non- physical oscillations in the vertical profiles, an important step measurements show before publication. A related manuscript is in progress. Another layers of SO discovery from ozone profiles in Costa Rica resulted in the detec- 2 tion of SO2 with a dual ozone sonde technique. Since the advent The following research was featured as a March of ozone soundings in Costa Rica (Selkirk et al, 2010), numerous 2012 Highlight on the NASA GSFC Atmospheric ozone profiles have shown deep notches below 5 km, possibly

Science Research Portal. “First balloon sonde pro- interference of the ozone measurement by SO2 emitted from

file measurements of volcanic and urban SO2 from Turrialba, an active volcano 35 km ENE of their launch site in San validation of OMI SO2 retrievals” by Henry Selkirk José (see feature). To test this, a dual ozone sonde payload was (code 614) and co-authors G. Morris, J. A. Diaz, N. launched on February 3, 2012, following the technique developed Krotkov, and H. Vömel details the first successful in Morris, et al. (2010).

in situ profile measurement of the SO2 over Costa Rica (see image). This measurement of the vertical As part of the ATTREX team that provided interactive flight plan- distribution of SO2 is not only of intrinsic interest as ning for the Global Hawk aircraft, Dr. Selkirk spent 2½ weeks in it showed layers of SO2 from both a nearby volcano October 2011 at Dryden Flight Research Center, CA. During this and urban pollution, but also because it demon- campaign, for the first time the Global Hawk flew for extended strated the efficacy of validating column measure- periods near the cold tropical tropopause, a significant accom- ments from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) plishment that paves the way for the ATTREX campaigns over the on board the NASA Aura satellite using relatively tropical Pacific in 2013 and 2014. Dr. Selkirk will participate in inexpensive balloon sonde measurements. the second ATTREX campaign of deep tropical flights.

Mr. Stephen Steenrod’s (614, sponsor A. Douglass) efforts sup- port the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) investigations of chemi- cal and dynamical aspects of the middle and lower atmosphere. These efforts include the development, optimization, multipro- cessing, execution, and evaluation of atmospheric modeling codes; development of diagnostic software for analysis of model output and satellite data; and development of general user soft- ware to allow simple access to large central databases of model output.

In addition to identifying and correcting simulation errors, this contract year Mr. Steenrod also developed a new tracer package that includes 17 species, including age of air, radon/lead, berylli-

um, a clock tracer, SF6, fossil-fuel CO2, linearized ozone, synthetic ozone, and three contrived tracers to look at various aspects strat-trop exchange. Additionally, Mr. Steenrod completed two two- year coupled chemistry runs with prescribed daily emissions for Figure: Profiles of ozone and sulfur dioxide mixing the POLARCAT Model Intercomparison. This study, led by NCAR, ratios and potential temperature from the dual ozone compares many atmospheric chemistry models with aircraft data sonde launch: ascent profiles with thick lines and taken over the Arctic during the summer of 2008. descent profiles, thin lines. It shows a 15-ppbv layer Central to Dr. Susan Strahan’s (code 614, sponsor A. Douglass) of SO2 just below 4 km as well as a lower layer about 500 m above the surface. While the lower layer is research are the analyses of satellite, aircraft, and ground-based likely due to urban pollution, trajectories showed that trace gas data sets to improve the understanding of trans- the source of the upper layer was very likely to have port processes and the representation of transport in models. been due to the volcano. Stratospheric trace gas data sets are analyzed to assess trans- port processes such as tropical ascent, horizontal mixing, and polar descent. The results of the analyses are used to evaluate

34 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 transport processes in year 2100 is underway. models. Observation- Dr. Strode also processed based evaluations are the results of the ACCMIP applied to NASA/GSFC model simulations to models, such as the obtain the variables and file GMI chemistry transport formats requested by the model and the GEOS ACCMIP. Results were up- Chemistry-Climate Model loaded to the BADC for oth- (CCM), and to CCMs par- ers to access. Also, as part ticipating in international of her task, she created assessments. emission files for use in the GMI hindcast; these files This contract year, incorporated year-specific Dr. Strahan provided biomass burning emissions analysis of NASA’s Aura from the GFED3 inventory. Microwave Limb Sound- Her research into biomass er. This analysis used burning emissions was mean O3 and N2O levels incorporated into a paper inside the Arctic vortex Figure: A comparison of OH production at the surface in the 1850 and that is in press in JGR. to separate the effects 2000 simulations. (S. Strode) of chemistry and transport Dr. Qian Tan (code 614, on O3. While other studies sponsor M. Chin) conducts claimed O3 losses of more than 120 DU inside the vortex, this research on the impact of aerosols, an air pollutant and climate analysis showed that about one-third of that deficit was caused forcer, and how the impact can vary significantly based on time by lack of transport of O3 into the vortex, with two-thirds resulting scale. By investigating the role of both anthropogenic and natural from chemical loss on polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). (i.e., volcanic) emissions from multiple sources, Dr. Tan seeks an understanding of contributing factors, design control, and mitiga- Additionally, Dr. Strahan and the GMI core team have successfully tion strategies for atmospheric aerosol deposition. completed a 7-year ‘hindcast’ simulation of the recent past using GEOS5-MERRA meteorological fields. This full chemistry simula- During this contract year, Dr. Tan completed a two-decade-long tion represents part of a 20-year hindcast simulation (starting in study of global aerosol simulations, analyzed the diurnal varia- the early 1990s) that will be completed this year. This run, ‘GMI- tions of aerosols, and collaborated with Dr. Yasunari to study MERRA’, is being used by scientists within GSFC, for example, to the deposition of black carbon onto the snow in the Himalayan improve a priori NO2 profiles used in OMI retrievals and to study region. This collaboration resulted in a publication (in press) in the interannual variability of Stratosphere-Troposphere exchange. Atmospheric Environment, an international journal focused on air The simulation is also being used by a number of scientists at the pollution and societal impacts. University of Toronto to interpret satellite observations of various replacement CFCs. Dr. Zhining Tao (code 614, sponsor M. Chin) examines the role of aerosols and trace gases in climate change and air quality by Dr. Sarah Strode (code 614, sponsor J. Rodriguez) contributes to simulating aerosols and chemistry in the NASA NU-WRF regional the three-dimensional modeling efforts in the Atmospheric Chem- model, conducting case studies on regional air quality/climate istry and Dynamics Lab, both for chemical transport models and over the North America and Asia, and analyzing satellite/ground- chemistry climate models. She conducts and analyzes simula- based/aircraft measurements. tions for the Atmospheric Chemistry-Climate Model Intercompari- son Project (ACCMIP), and provides emission inputs for past and Dr. Tao contributed to the development and evaluation of the future model simulations. NASA Unified Weather Research & Forecast (NU-WRF) modeling system by developing and adding a parameterization scheme into Simulations were conducted with the GEOS Chemistry Climate the NU-WRF GOCART aerosol module to estimate the secondary Model (GEOSCCM) as part of the ACCMIP, in which Dr. Strode organic aerosol (SOA) from the biogenic sources. Biogenic sources processed emission and other boundary condition files for each dominate terpene emissions, a precursor believed to contribute simulation. These multi-year timeslice simulations represented largely to SOA formation in the lower troposphere, especially in 1850, 1980, and 2000 conditions. A simulation representing the the rural regions. The detailed mechanism of the chemical/physi-

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 35 cal transformation of terpene to SOA has yet to be understood; An integrated analysis of aerosols above clouds was conducted by however, the imminent impact of terpene emissions on SOA must using multi-sensor A-Train measurements, including above-cloud be considered in the state-of-the-art modeling system to better aerosol optical depth at 532 nm from CALIPSO lidar, the UV aero- represent what happens in the environment. As a bridge, the pa- sol index (AI) from OMI, and cloud fraction and cloud optical depth rameterization of such a process, based on limited observations (COD) from MODIS. The results present the potential of combin- and experiments, will provide a starting point for further research ing OMI AI and MODIS cloud measurements to empirically derive and understanding. Dr. Tao performed experiments using NU- above-cloud AOD with a spatial coverage much more extensive WRF for the CalNex, ARCTAS-CARB, and DISCOVER-AQ field cam- than CALIPSO measurements, which deems further exploration. paigns, in which he identified and fixed many bugs in the NU-WRF By using the China Aerosol Remote Sensing NETwork (CARSNET), system. As a result, the model performance greatly improved. she validated the MODIS AOD product over China. Four-year com- Additionally, Dr. Tao’s data analysis results for the 2008 Texas parisons (2005-2008) of MODIS/CARSNET at 10 sites show that Air Quality Study were integrated into the GEO-CAPE research for the performance of MODIS AOD retrieval is highly dependent on possible improvements to the design and development of the mis- the underlying land surface. Additionally, using Lagrangian trajec- sion. He presented results of his research at several conferences tories, she examined the relative contributions of Southeast Asian and workshops throughout the year. convective source regions during boreal summer to water vapor in the tropical stratosphere. In progress is an integrated analysis of Dr. Clark Weaver (code 614, sponsors J. Abshire and R. Kawa) aerosol type characterization in which Dr. Zhang is using multi- works on a retrieval algorithm for the Goddard CO2 Sounder, sensor (AIRS-MODIS-OMI) measurements. which is under the ASCENDS project, and uses laser technology to measure a total column amount for atmospheric CO2. He also Dr. Jerald Ziemke (code 614, sponsor P. Newman) focuses his provides support during airborne field campaigns. He also works research on deriving and improving global tropospheric and lower on developing a retrieval algorithm for the Ground-based Pandora stratospheric ozone amounts from satellite measurements, pro- instruments. Vertical profiles of ozone and characteristics of viding these products to the community, and employing the prod- atmospheric aerosols are desired quantities. ucts to address science questions. The ozone levels in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere are critical to determining the Dr. Weaver has been working on a Venture Class NASA proposal ozone contributions to global warming. Understanding what pro- for a Fabry-Perot passive space-based instrument to measure CO2 cesses determine the ozone distribution in these regions and how and CH4 (PI: William Heaps). He is also developing a sophisticated they might be expected to change is of the utmost importance. forward model for a retrieval algorithm. He has developed a cali- Dr. Ziemke conducts studies of the tropical tropospheric ozone bration method for the Pandora instrument. With regard to field variability by examining results from the Goddard GEOS CCM. campaigns, Dr. Weaver provided support during the ASCENDS ENSO and MJO variability of tropical tropospheric ozone have summer field campaign (Palmdale, CA) and performed retrievals been successfully evaluated using Cloud Slicing and OMI/MLS. of CO2 for all the ASCENDS summer field campaign flights. Insight gained from these studies will aid in developing the CCM. He also brings together tropospheric ozone amounts derived Dr. Yan Zhang (code 614, sponsor M. Chin) conducts research from measurements with results from models to improve the involving the assessment of aerosol diurnal variations, aerosol understanding of the tropospheric ozone budget. Understanding intercontinental transport and aerosol impacts on climate and air distributions and trends in tropospheric and stratospheric ozone quality based largely on A-Train and other satellite observations has broad implications for climate science, stratospheric ozone in combination with ground-based measurements (AERONET and depletion, and air quality. CARSNET) and global models (GOCART and a suite of AeroCom models). Dr. Zhang analyzes aerosol diurnal variations, compares Over the past year, Dr. Ziemke has been the first or co-author model simulations with CARSNET and AERONET AODs in China, on five papers this past year. He attended the Aura International and integrates multiple satellite measurements to characterize Science Team Meeting in Helsinki in September 2011 and gave aerosol type and intercontinental transport. She conducted an a talk on long record satellite ozone data sets and evidence of an analysis of aerosol optical properties diurnal variations by using early recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer. Looking ahead, he AERONET ground measurements over North America and South plans to establish a webpage and anonymous ftp site for trajec- America. The diverse patterns of aerosol daytime variations sug- tory mapped tropospheric and stratospheric ozone data products; gest that geostationary satellite measurements would be invalu- this will be in addition to the current existing ozone data products able for characterizing aerosol temporal variations on regional on the Code 614 tropospheric ozone webpage. Dr. Ziemke will be and continental scales. attending the Quadrennial Science Team meeting in Toronto in Au- gust 2012. Tropospheric and stratospheric ozone data products

36 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 Antarctic expeditions will be utilized in developing the new Goddard Chemistry Climate Model (CCM), which couples photochemistry and dynamics of for SEAT and PIG trace gases in the troposphere and stratosphere. Dr. Ludovic Brucker (code 615) participated in an Ant- arctic field deployment that was part of a NASA/NSF- CODE 615: Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory funded project entitled “Annual Satellite Era Accumula- tion Patterns over WAIS Divide: A study using shallow ice Dr. Ludovic Brucker (code 615, sponsor T. Markus) conducts cores, near-surface radars and satellites” (also known research to advance and validate satellite-derived snow depth on as SEAT). Led by Dr. Lora Koenig (NASA GSFC) and Dr. sea ice using space-based passive microwave radiometers and Rupper (BYU), the project involved months of studying Operation IceBridge measurements recorded in the two hemi- remote sensing data and learning to assemble and spheres over all sea ice types and surface conditions. NASA’s Op- transport equipment and data. Between his departure eration IceBridge is the first mission to fly extensively over sea ice from Goddard and his arrival in Antarctica, Dr. Brucker at 2-8 GHz wide band radars from which snow depth can be quan- received instruction on operating a snow radar while at tified. Dr. Brucker compared the 2009 radar-derived snow depth the University of Kansas’ Center for Remote Sensing of product estimates to both brightness temperature measurements Ice Sheet; once in Antarctica, he used the snow radar from the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Advanced and collected snow measurements (temperature, snow Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System grain size, density, thermal conductivity and the near (AMSR-E) on the NASA Aqua satellite and the AMSR-E level-3 infrared reflectance of the snow) down to two meters. snow-depth-on-sea-ice product (see figure). Further comparisons Dr. Brucker and his team experienced challenging con- are required to identify various classes of the snow/air interface ditions, in particular on Christmas Eve (see image). The roughness and different amounts of volume scattering. traverse successfully ended in early January 2012 after a travel of about 500 km. He also studies the influence of brine-snow on the snow-depth- on-sea-ice retrievals. While key snow-covered sea ice variables Further information Challenging field conditions are estimated using space-based microwave sensors, microwave on the SEAT deploy- in Antarctica, December 24, radiation is highly sensitive to both snow properties (e.g., liquid ment is available on 2011, after a two-day storm. water content, grain size, density) and brine volume. Brine plays the NASA EO site as a major role on dielectric properties, thus on both microwave well as in a feature on emission and scattering measurements. To further refine the the GESTAR site. See satellite algorithms, the physical processes require understanding http://earthobserva- of the snow/ice properties and the microwave radiation, which tory.nasa.gov/blogs/ can be done using the radiative transfer model for snowpacks. fromthefield/cat- While various approaches exist to quantify brine-snow dielectric egory/seat-satellite- constant, most radiative transfer models do not account for brine era-accumulation- volume; while the Microwave Emission Model of Layered Snow- traverse/. packs (MEMLS) does, its parameterization is only valid up to a salinity concentration of 0.1 ppt, whereas in-situ measurements Also in December on first-year sea ice revealed salinity concentrations several or- 2011 fellow GESTAR ders of magnitude higher. Dr. Brucker implemented a brine-snow member and glaciologist Dr. Robert Bindschadler (code dielectric mixture model and a frequency dispersion model in the 615) led a six-week-long field campaign to study Antarc- MEMLS model to fully extend its use to snow on sea ice. Results tica’s Pine Island Glacier, specifically investigating how from his testing did not meet expectations; however, an initial the warm ocean water is melting the underside of the evaluation was performed on salinity’s influence on the predicted glacial ice. Hampered by frequently poor weather con- gradient ratio of brightness temperatures at 36.5 and 18.7 GHz ditions and logistical deterrents, the scientists’ goals used as a proxy for snow-depth-on-sea-ice retrievals. This collab- were unfulfilled; however, there are GPS receivers and orative effort resulted in a manuscript (currently under review). seismometers on the ice shelf that monitor the shelf’s flexing and cracking. Plans for next year’s expedition From Dec 2011 – Jan 2012, Dr. Brucker participated in a NASA/ have already begun. Further information on PIG 2011 NSF-funded Antarctic field deployment in which he was trained is available at http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/ to operate a snow radar from University of Kansas’ Center for fromthefield/category/pine-island-glacier-2011/ and a feature can be found on the GESTAR site. GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 37 Remote Sensing of Ice Sheet. While in Antarctica, he operated Dr. Kelly Brunt (code 615, sponsor T. Markus) provides continued the snow radar and collected snow measurements (temperature, support to Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2). snow grain size, density, thermal conductivity and the near infra- Currently, this support entails the scientific planning for Mul- red reflectance of the snow) down to two meters (see feature). tiple Altimeter Beam Experimental Lidar (MABEL), the airborne simulator of the laser altimeter set to fly on ICESat-2, and the The Dense Media Radiative Transfer - Multi Layers model (DMRT- coordination of a team (internal and external to NASA GSFC) that ML) is now freely distributed under an open source license. Dr. is constructing an ICESat-2 calibration and validation plan using Brucker has developed this model at Laboratoire de Glaciologie et earth-based targets. Géophysique de l’Environnement (LGGE), France, with Dr. Picard. He continues to improve it and help users get started with the For MABEL, Dr. Brunt has been the science planner in three MA- model to guarantee extensive and optimal usage. DMRT-ML, a BEL deployments: one deployment prior to joining GESTAR, one in physical model used to compute the thermal microwave emission February 2012 to Dryden, CA, and one from April – May 2012 to of snow for passive microwave remote sensing applications (such Keflavik, Iceland. Going forward, she will continue to provide sup- as snow depth estimations), is based on the Dense Media Radia- port to the ICESat-2 mission, coordinating the ICESat-2 calibration tive Transfer Theory and accurately solves the radiative transfer and validation team, and planning for upcoming MABEL deploy- equation using the Discrete Ordinate Method. DMRT-ML is ments. designed to work for most snow-covered surfaces, and can model dry or wet snowpacks over soil (e.g. Alpine or Arctic seasonal Dr. Paolo de Matthaeis (code 615, sponsor D. LeVine) supports snow), over ice (e.g. on ice-sheet or lake), and over sea-ice. the Aquarius/SAC-D mission, whose goal is to provide global sea surface salinity maps from space for the study of large-scale ocean processes and climate change. The Aquarius science instruments include an L-band radiometer, whose received signal is sensitive to salinity, and a radar scatterometer that helps correct for the effect of the sea surface roughness. Dr. de Mat- thaeis conducted a performance assessment of the RFI detection and mitigation algorithm currently employed for processing the Aquarius radiometer data. His analysis showed that a problem in the acquisition of the radiometer raw data was the main cause of high probability of false RFI detection. He presented his find- ings at two Aquarius Workshops. His collaborative work with Drs. Dinnat, LeVine, Abraham, and Utku (GESTAR) was presented at a Specialist Meeting in Italy. Dr. de Matthaeis’ future plans include examining more thermal vacuum chamber test data in order to find the reason and possibly a correction for the recently found systematic error in the Aquarius radiometer raw measurements and preparing for presentations at IGARSS 2012. Work will also continue with Dr. Chris Ruf (University of Michigan) on the tuning of the Aquarius radiometer RFI detection algorithm.

Dr. Nathan Kurtz (code 615, sponsor L. Koenig) supports the sea ice component of NASA’s Operation IceBridge mission. He develops algorithms for the retrieval of sea ice properties from the Figure: AMSR-E gradient ratio at 36.5 and 18.7 GHz vs. OIB instrument suite on the NASA aircraft; these algorithms are tested radar-derived snow depth. Roughness derived from the Air- and evaluated to provide uncertainty estimates for the results. In borne Topographic Mapper (ATM) for every 12.5 km pixel turn, the results are disseminated to the broader science com- is color coded. Dashed line = the current operational snow munity through a publicly available database. Dr. Kurtz developed depth on sea ice algorithm. (L. Brucker) an algorithm to retrieve snow depth on sea ice from the Operation IceBridge snow radar (see figure), and a related paper was pub-

38 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 lished in JGR. A second paper on the evaluation of this algorithm Dr. Cuneyt Utku (code 615, sponsor D. LeVine) conducts research is currently in press in IEEE TGRS. in support of NASA’s Aquarius mission, a mission designed to re- motely map the surface salinity of Earth’s oceans. The main focus Dr. Kurtz participated in both the 2011 Operation IceBridge Ant- of Dr. Utku’s current research is on the third Stokes parameter arctic field campaign as well as the 2012 Arctic field campaign. of the polarimetric microwave radiometer onboard Aquarius and Participation in the Antarctic campaign allowed him to apply the detection of topographic signatures in the co-polarized chan- for the Antarctic Service Medal. During the Arctic campaign, he nels of both Aquarius microwave radiometer and scatterometer. processed newly acquired field data to support ESA-sponsored These efforts improve the accuracy of remote sensing by provid- airborne campaigns in the Arctic. Additionally, through develop- ing a method to correct for the Faraday rotation angle, correct for ing and testing numerous algorithms, he produced a synthesis of ocean wave roughness, reduce noise, and measure the dielectric geophysical data products from the Operation IceBridge instru- constant of seawater. ment suite, which have been reviewed by the IceBridge sea ice science team and provided to the National Snow and Ice Data Within this contract year, Dr. Utku developed and refined algo- Center for public distribution. rithms to retrieve the Faraday rotation angle, reviewed topo- graphic signatures in the Aquarius radiometer and scatterometer Through his participation in the 2012 Arctic Operation IceBridge signals, and collaborated with Prof. Roger Lang at the Electrical field campaign, Dr. Kurtz developed a procedure to produce geo- and Computer Engineering of the George Washington University physical sea ice data products within several weeks of data col- on microwave measurements of the dielectric constant of sea- lection. These data products are anticipated to provide valuable water. Initial observations and results of Faraday rotation angle information for sea ice forecasting in the current and subsequent retrieval have been presented at the 12th Specialist Meeting on years. He also used data from NASA’s ICESat satellite to study Microwave Radiometry and Remote Sensing of the Environment. sea thickness and volume changes in the Antarctic sea ice cover. Dr. Utku’s findings of the correlation between the co-polarized This was the first-ever observational analysis of sea ice thickness brightness temperatures and topographic scale roughness and and volume changes in the Southern Ocean. Results have been also correlation between backscattered power and topographic compiled in a paper submitted to JGR. scale roughness will be presented at the 2012 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium.

CODE 617: Hydrological Sciences Laboratory Dr. Chen-Hsuan (Joseph) Lyu (code 617, sponsor E. Kim) sup- ports NPP/ATMS pre-launch testing and post-launch sensor calibration and validation and algorithm development and subsequent JPSS/ATMS sensor testing, characterization and/or algorithm development. Dr. Lyu completed the ATMS SDR Valida- tion Operations Concept (OPSCON) and Cal/Val Task Description version-3 document, a collaborative effort, in late May 2011, which provides details of NPP/ATMS post-launch on-orbit calibra- tion and validation activities. This NPP/ATMS, along with CrIS, will provide sounding for atmospheric vertical temperature, pressure and humidity profiles to improve numerical weather forecast and climate modeling. Well-calibrated Sensor Data Record (SDR) radiances from ATMS are crucial to numerical weather prediction (NWP) and provide critical atmospheric correction estimates for many surface Environmental Data Record (EDR) algorithms. This new type of operational satellite sensor will require detailed sci- entific studies and engineering work to calibrate and validate its Figure: Results from Dr. Nathan Kurtz’s algorithm show the SDR products. For the NPP launch readiness, ATMS cal/val sup- first-ever synoptic scale survey of snow depth on sea ice. In- port will ensure the SDR products meet the requirements of the formation was captured over four flights, thus points 1-4. instrument specifications and NWP expectations. Dr. Lyu and the ATMS support team put together detailed ATMS on-orbit maneu-

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 39 ver instrument timeline (IMT) activities. The NPP was launched Ms. Belvedere serves as the liaison for the water and energy cycle on October 28, 2011. focus area under NASA Program Manager Dr. Jared Entin. This work encompasses scientific collaboration and coordination of ATMS (Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder) proxy data was water and energy cycle research; specifically, planning task forces used to perform and support two NPP/ATMS pre-launch calibra- consisting of researchers from the broader scientific community. tion and validation rehearsal activities. Several issues were dis- These task forces produced and enabled implementation plans covered regarding on-line data request tools and ground software that address crosscutting water cycle research initiatives brought processing ADL (Algorithm Development Language) code issues. forth by inter-agency and government-administrative science pan- Dr. Lyu has provided support, reviews and submissions regarding els. Her current efforts include the NASA Energy and Water cycle the Sounder Operational Algorithm Team (SOAT) workshop, the Study (NEWS) and the North American Water Program (NAWP), a ATMS on-orbit maneuver Instrument Mission Timeline (IMT) activi- new grassroots effort intended to fill the void since the completion ties, the NPP/ATMS Spectral Response Function (SRF) measured of regional efforts such as the Climate Prediction Program for the and digitized band pass data, and ATMS SDR and NPP teleconfer- Americas (CPPA), the Mackenzie GEWEX Study (MAGS) and other ences and meetings. He also participated in NPP ATMS/CrIS SDR GEWEX-related North American related campaigns. tutorial trainings at NGAS in September 2011. Activities that support the Program Manager include weekly meet- Dr. Lyu developed codes to generate ATMS global images and con- ings for such events as the ROSES NEWS Panel and Mail Review, tinued to support NPP/ATMS post-launch cal/val activities, which merging 18 new projects into a current NEWS program, two NEWS included a NASA cal/val report at the first post-launch NPP/ATMS workshops, a NASA Decadal Workshop planned for September SDR review meeting at NOAA’s science center in January 2012. 2012, and an AGU session. In addition, the team continues to de- He and his NASA sponsor discussed with the SDR science team velop and promote a new 10-year North American Water Program ATMS’s function evaluation, optimal space view determination, (NAWP), formerly known as TRACE, where Ms. Belvedere engages scan angle issues, radiometric sensitivity, lunar intrusion mitiga- in interagency coordination through initial contacts, follow ups tion, EV contamination mitigation, and nadir view for geolocation and telecoms. She is also responsible for timely project report- improvement. In summary, ATMS maintains an excellent on-orbit ing and lessons-learned highlights to NASA HQ, maintaining web sensor performance. resources, and visiting GSFC to attend seminars. She also solicits publications and highlights from across the Water and Energy Fo- Ms. Debbie Belvedere (code 617, sponsor D. Toll) is part of the cus Area along with five special publication highlights, as well as GESTAR activity that supports scientific collaboration and coordi- documentation sent to NASA HQ to be incorporated in the Govern- nation for NASA’s global water and energy cycle research that ad- ment Performance and Results Act (GPRA), a HQ-required Annual dresses cross-cutting water-cycle research initiatives introduced Report. Ms. Belvedere has attended a variety of NASA Focus by inter-agency and government-administrative science panels. In Area Annual Science Team Meetings, and recently attended and 2003, NASA established the NASA Energy and Water-cycle Study presented an oral presentation on behalf of the Program Manager (NEWS) to document and enable improved, observationally based, titled “NASA’s Earth Science Global Drought (assessment/predic- predictions of water and energy cycle consequences of Earth tion) Capabilities” at the WCRP-sponsored ESA (European Space system variability and change. However, the broad objectives of Agency) workshop on the Development of an Experimental Global energy and water cycling-related climate research extend well Drought Information System (GDIS) in Frascati, Italy. NEWS also beyond the purview of any single agency or program. Therefore, held its most successful workshop to date at the University of to achieve the ultimate goal of credible global change predictions CA, Irvine in June 2011. In May 2012, she will attend both the and applications across all significant scales, NASA continues to WCRP Conference on Reanalyses and the HyspIRI Data Products seek collaborations with other Federal and international agencies, Symposium. the scientific community at large, and private industry. To these ends, the project created NEWS working groups that identify inte- Mr. Rick Lawford’s (code 617, sponsor D. Toll) work focuses on gration needs and make connections to partner and coordinate the Water-Energy-Food nexus, an issue that was highlighted as with water and energy cycle research and application activities a major global concern by the Global Economic Forum in 2011. occurring at other organizations within NASA, nationally, and Mr. Lawford works jointly with the Global Water System Project internationally. The initial four working groups are Drought & Flood (GWSP) on a project dealing with food, water and energy security Extremes, Evaporation & Latent Heating, Water & Energy Cycle and the potential contributions of Earth Observations to reduce Climatology and Modeling & Water Cycle Prediction. the uncertainties surrounding these issues. The aim of this work is to develop applications of NASA data products in areas of water

40 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 resources and other related societal benefit areas and support ing on and assisting others in reporting on GEWEX activities to the coordination of GEO water cycle activities that are in areas of international bodies and government agencies; providing direct interest to NASA (e.g., drought, precipitation, soil moisture, ground support to WCRP on all aspects of GEWEX and its implementa- water, evapotranspiration, user engagement, etc.). He is also in- tion; initiating an outreach program for GEWEX consisting of news- volved in developing opportunities for training and capacity build- letters, a website, and other publications as appropriate; repre- ing in the Americas, including efforts for capacity building and senting GEWEX at scientific conferences and other international user engagement within the U.S., between the U.S. and Canada, forums through scientific presentations and exhibitions, as well as and throughout North and South America. preparing and publishing meeting reports and other documents relevant to GEWEX. The STC operations also supported facilitat- Mr. Lawford’s work has included partnering with the GWSP Inter- ing the development of cross-cutting issues and linking GEWEX national Project Office (IPO) in Bonn, Germany to develop long with other programs, such as the Earth System Science Partner- and short surveys and a list of the experts who would receive the ship (ESSP) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change survey. He organized a conference on the Water-Energy-Food (IPCC), and reviewing plans from WCRP and other environmental nexus in Winnipeg, Canada, held May 1-4, 2012. He helped NASA programs, providing inputs to planning documents for WCRP to host a workshop on global drought monitoring and published a and other programs, and responding to numerous requests for report on the findings. Mr. Lawford also planned and co-chaired information about the GEWEX program and data sets. Addition- the water management section of the GEOSS in the Americas ally, WCRP was represented in the Integrated Global Observing Conference held in Santiago, Chile from October 5-7, 2011, and Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P) through participation on the IGOS worked with NOAA colleagues to plan and implement the GEO- Global Water Cycle Observations (IGWCO) theme and Science Water Capacity Building Workshop in Cartagena, Columbia held Advisory Group through the provision of secretariat services and from November 27 - December 1, 2011. Finally, Mr. Lawford par- contributions to the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), where ticipated in an African Water Cycle Coordination Initiative (AfWCCI) appropriate. workshop in Nairobi, Kenya in January 2012 to discuss options for Water cycle studies in Africa. The WCRP is in the process of reorganizing itself with a particular view toward the role of climate research in support of climate Dr. Robert Schiffer (code 617, sponsor D. Toll) supports the Earth services. The timeline is to transition the current projects in 2013, Science Division (ESD) at NASA HQ by covering management and guided by the JSC. The JSC has indicated that the core projects, oversight of the operations of the International Project office for such as GEWEX, will be retained, but with revised responsibilities the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX/IGPO). As to facilitate climate system research at the interface of the physi- PI, Dr. Schiffer is responsible for representing NASA HQ oversight cal Earth system components. The IGPO is assisting the Chair of of resources and management of the International Project Office the GEWEX SSG with this planning. Several GEWEX Meetings/ for the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (IGPO/GEWEX), Workshops have been planned to be held in local, national, and a major component of the World Climate Research Program international locations. Additionally, the IGPO is tracking actions (WCRP). GEWEX is intended to marshal international science com- from the 2011 Scientific Steering Group meeting and has made munity efforts to measure and predict global and regional energy arrangements for the 25th Session of the GEWEX SSG to be held and water variations, trends, and extremes (such as heat waves, in October 2012 at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, floods and droughts), through improved observations and model- Australia. ing of land, atmosphere, and their interactions, thereby providing the scientific underpinnings of climate services. Under a separate task, Dr. Robert Schiffer (code 617, sponsor D. Toll) provides scientific planning, coordination and assessment In operating the International GEWEX Project Office (IGPO), the of research programs focusing on studies of the global water and Science and Technology Corporation (STC) provided the support energy cycles and their role in the climate system, specifically required to meet the obligations and responsibilities of IGPO and supporting the NASA Energy and Water Cycle Study (NEWS) and its Director. These included several activities, such as support- TRACE (renamed the North American Water Project). A growing ing the GEWEX SSG, its Chair and Vice-Chair; assisting with the consensus exists on the importance of reliable regional scale coordination and implementation of the Second Phase of GEWEX climate predictions and assessments regarding the availability and plans for the Third Phase (post-2013) through GEWEX Panels, and stresses on water supplies. Reliable water resources are Working Groups, and the SSG; and coordinating the formation of central to supporting a sustainable society, healthy environment, new Working Groups, Panels, and related activities in areas of and vibrant economy. However, changes in climate trends and GEWEX requiring further support. Other activities involved report- extremes combined with changes in water use are impacting

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 41 water resource sustainability. A new North American continental to regional scale hydro-climate experiment has been formulated to address the contemporary broad water and energy issues of scientific importance to the land-surface and atmospheric scientific communities. The North American Water Program (NAWP) represents an interdisciplinary, international and interagency effort that makes significant contributions to continental to decision-scale hydro-climate science and solutions. By entraining, integrating and coordinating the vast array of interdisciplinary observational and prediction resources, Figure: Growing season (July–October) NDVI anomaly for the Sahel region, the program aims to advance skill in predicting, assessing showing the large aerial extent of the Sahelian drought in 1984. Before and managing variability and changes in North American AVHRR NDVI data became available, such regional-to-continental map- water resources. NAWP would build on previous North ping of drought extent and patterns was not possible. (A. Anyamba) American contributions to the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX), but will include the broader and their consequences. Numerical simulation models suggest climate, carbon, ecology, and decision communities. As such, it that future-warming trends will lead to a warmer planet as well as will address more than just the physical Earth System and include a wetter and drier climate depending upon location, consistent human impacts and infrastructure. A drafting committee formed with large-scale atmospheric processes. Continued global warm- in late 2011 is developing a prospectus. Additionally, a NAWP Sci- ing poses new opportunities for the emergence and spread of fun- ence Steering Group (SSG) will be formed in 2012 to develop and gal disease, as climate systems change and as animal and plant promote a comprehensive planning strategy. species move into new niches. Interannual climate variability can result in significant rainfall and ecological anomaly patterns, CODE 618: Biospheric Sciences Laboratory major drivers of spatial and temporal patterns of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. Several various analyses show large-scale Dr. Assaf Anyamba (code 618, sponsor C. Tucker) conducts anomalies occurring periodically, which may influence mosquito research using time-series satellite vegetation index measure- vector populations and thus spatial and temporal patterns of Rift ments from various satellite instruments including MODIS, SPOT Valley Fever and chikungunya outbreaks. Rift Valley Fever out- Vegetation, NOAA’s Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer break events occurred after a period of ~3-4 months of persistent (AVHRR), and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and as- and above-normal rainfall that enabled vector habitats to flour- sociated ground-based rain gauge measurements. His work also ish; conversely, chikungunya outbreaks occurred during periods focuses on land surface response to inter-annual climate variabil- of high temperatures and severe drought over East Africa and ity associated with El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), drought the western Indian Ocean islands. This is consistent with highly pattern analysis; and, it infers long-term trends and dynamics populated environmental settings where domestic and peri-do- of vegetation patterns, development of long-term data records mestic stored water containers were the likely mosquito sources. (LTDRs) of the biosphere and links between climate variability and However, in Southeast Asia, approximately 52% of chikungunya vector-borne disease outbreaks. He leads and develops research outbreaks occurred during cooler-than-normal temperatures and analysis and applications development for global agricultural and were significantly negatively correlated with drought. Besides drought monitoring for the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Foreign climate variability, other factors not accounted for, such as verte- Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS), climate variability and vector- brate host immunity, may contribute to spatio-temporal patterns borne disease prediction mapping in support of the Department of outbreaks. of Defense Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response Dr. Anyamba and Dr. Tucker have contributed a chapter that System (DoD/GEIS), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/ summarizes the contributions of NOAA-AVHRR-NDVI data set in Center for Medical, Agricultural & Veterinary Entomology (USDA/ drought and monitoring over the last 30 years to Remote Sensing CMAVE) and in the geospatial risk assessment of plant pathogens for Drought: Innovative Monitoring Approaches. The first book to in support of the FDA. Much of his research has been published focus on remote sensing and drought monitoring, it encompasses as book chapters and peer-reviewed articles. much information scattered throughout the literature and across many disciplines and assembles a cross-section of globally ap- Multiple sources show evidence that the Earth has been warming plicable techniques. Improving drought monitoring is increasingly since the late 19th century, evidence strongly supported by satel- important when addressing a wide range of societal issues, from lite data from the late 1970s from the cryosphere, atmosphere, food security and water scarcity to human health, ecosystem ser- oceans, and land that confirms increasing temperature trends vices, and energy production. This unique book surveys innovative

42 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 remote sensing approaches to provide new perspectives on large- area drought monitoring and early warning.

For the past 40 years, polar-orbiting sensors have provided use- Casting a Wide ful data for monitoring the earth’s natural resources, but their observation and monitoring capacity are inhibited due to frequent Eye on biological and persistent cloud cover, creating large gaps in time-series measurements. The Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite phenomena has been launched into geostationary orbit, opening new opportu- nities for land surface monitoring. The Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) instrument onboard MSG has an Dr. Assaf Anyamba (code 618) and Helen- imaging capability of every 15 minutes, substantially greater than Nicole Kostis (code 130) were both involved any temporal resolution that can be obtained from existing Polar with a story in Scientist Magazine titled “Cast- Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) systems currently ing a Wide Eye: Scientists study a variety of used for environmental monitoring. This geostationary remote large-scale biological phenomena from the sensing data can provide higher temporal resolution cloud-free vantage point of space”. The article, which measurements of the environment, compared to existing POES was published February 1, 2012, featured systems, and the composites will enable rapid assessment of the work of Dr. Anyamba, and can be viewed environmental conditions and improved early warning of disasters at http://the-scientist.com/2012/02/01/ for the African continent such as flooding or droughts. casting-a-wide-eye/. Helen-Nicole Kostis provided visualization support and created a Dr. Thomas Eck (code 618, sponsor B. Holben) investigates the global flat map of NDVI and SST. The visual- optical properties of atmospheric aerosols within AERONET for ap- ization still was provided in layers to allow the plication to studies of the effects of aerosols on the atmospheric art director of the magazine to alter the color radiation balance and climate, and for the validation of satel- palettes. Her material is available on the SVS lite retrievals of aerosol properties. His research centers on the site: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/ analysis of measurements made by automatic sun-sky scanning a003900/a003905/index.html, “Mapping radiometers that are globally distributed as a part of the NASA- Diseases”. Additionally, the related graph- managed Aerosol Robotic Network. He has utilized ground-based ics were featured on the GESTAR Homepage remote sensing retrievals of aerosol optical properties to analyze and are in the Biospherics Collaborative Bro- and better understand the dynamics of aerosol properties as a chure. function of source region, transport, aging processes, and interaction with clouds. Over the past year, Dr. Eck was a co-author on seven papers that were published in peer-reviewed journals. He also partici- pated in DISCOVER-AQ and associated DRAGON-Maryland, conducted in Maryland in July 2011, and performed numerous calibration, data reprocessing, field data acquisition, and instrument assessments associated with this experiment. Dr. Eck gave an oral presentation at the invitation- only workshop titled “Observations and modeling of aerosol and clouds properties for climate studies” in Paris, France in September 2011. Many top international researchers in atmospheric aerosol and cloud studies attended this workshop. He presented his research at science meet- ings, and has been and will continue to be involved in the Distributed Regional Aerosol Gridded Observation

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 43 Network (DRAGON) aerosol desorption, and diffusion) to characterization campaigns study species that are both in Korea and Japan. known to and predicted to exist. NASA’s goal is to provide Dr. Qingyuan Zhang (code firm links between the physi- 618, sponsor E. Middleton) cal source and loss processes supports two NASA mis- and observed spatial and sions: the Earth Observing temporal variations. One (EO-1) satellite mission and the Hyperspectral Dr. Burger presented his work Infrared Imaging (HyspIRI) at an invited colloquium at the satellite mission concept. Southwest Research Institute He is also Co-I of a field (Image Credit: M. Burger) in Boulder, CO in February research project, Spectral 2012. He also contributed Bio-Indicators of Photo- to developing a Monte Carlo synthetic Light Use Efficiency (E.M. Middleton, PI). For the field model of Mercury’s exosphere to track the motions of exospheric project, spectral and biophysical measurements are collected as neutrals under the influence of gravity and radiation pressure. part of the campaigns; for the fluorescence emissions and related measurements, he collects laboratory measurements. Dr. Zhang He has also been studying Jupiter’s moon Europa for several provides expertise related to modeling the retrieval of vegetation years. The existence of a sub-surface ocean at icy Europa and parameters from remote sensing data. His work heavily involves the possibility of its sustaining life is an exciting scientific ques- examining the use of the fraction of PAR absorbed by chlorophyll tion. The National Research Council’s Solar System Decadal Sur- (fAPARchl) and leaf water content (LWC). vey ranked a mission to Europa as the highest priority for an outer solar system flagship mission, and second flagship priority overall. Under his funded ROSES proposal “Carbon Monitoring and Due to technical and budgetary constraints, it is unlikely that a Ecosystem Feedbacks Assessment Using fAPARchl and the Com- Europa orbiter mission will reach the Jupiter system in the near munity Land Model (CLM)”, Dr. Zhang and his team will conduct future. Therefore, characterization of the complex interactions research to test and implement his new fAPARchl algorithm among Jupiter’s magnetosphere, Europa’s tenuous atmosphere, to produce fAPARchl products. These products will be used to the surface, and the sub-surface ocean requires observations monitor carbon and assess ecosystem feedbacks. Dr. Zhang’s from Earth-based telescopes. Dr. Burger has proposed observa- paper, “Using EO-1 Hyperion to Simulate HyspIRI Products for a tions and modeling of neutral sodium and potassium in Europa’s Coniferous Forest: the Fraction of PAR Absorbed by Chlorophyll exosphere to answer fundamental questions regarding Europa’s (fAPARchl) and Leaf Water Content (LWC)” was published in surface composition and evolution, the interaction between IEEE TGRS, a milestone in that this is the first paper to prototype Europa and Jupiter’s magnetosphere, and the transfer of mate- fAPARchl and leaf water content (LWC) products for the HyspIRI rial from the sub-surface ocean to the surface. Studies of the mission, and the first time that the fAPARchl map and LWC map material escaping from the surface and atmosphere can provide are published in literature. clues to the coupling between the surface and sub-surface and are indicative of the interactions between the surface and the local plasma. CODE 695: Planetary Magnetospheres Laboratory Dr. Matthew Burger (code 695, sponsor R. Killen) contributes to CODE 698: Planetary Geodynamics Laboratory NASA’s efforts to mapping emissions from Mercury’s exosphere observed by the MESSENGER spacecraft Mercury Atmospheric Dr. Zhibin Sun (code 698, sponsor W. Kuang) is involved in the and Surface Composition Spectrometer (MASCS). Understanding next generation of the comprehensive model (CM5) to model these emissions requires extensive modeling of the source and Earth’s global geomagnetic environment from satellite and obser- loss processes of neutrals and the interactions of neutral gas with vatory data. He also provides support to NASA and NASA-involved Mercury’s surface and magnetosphere. His primary objective missions: SWARM and possible future Venture-class geomagnetic is to understand the sources, sinks, and dynamics of Mercury’s missions, as well and integration of CM5 (geomagnetic field tenuous atmosphere. To achieve this, Dr. Burger is using and im- modeling) and MoSST DAS (geomagnetic data assimilation) for proving the existing Monte Carlo model for Mercury’s exosphere predicting future changes in the geomagnetic field. Dr. Sun has and the ancillary models of source and loss processes (impact completed CM5 using PCG and addressing its disadvantages. vaporization, ion sputtering, photon- and electron-stimulated After finishing the basic parallel version of CM5 using the PCG

44 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 algorithm, he tested it successfully in different platforms up to MS, which is being developed and tested by GESTAR colleague mid-scale; however, much computation time is required for each Adrian Southard. They simultaneously took RGA data to compare iteration, rendering this method impractical if several iterations the results to the TOF and found very good agreement. Further are needed. His goal going forward then is to use a different algo- improvements to the TOF-MS will allow for isotopic analysis of rithm with less iterations to make CM5 more practical. samples using VAPoR.

Dr. Adrian Southard (code 699, sponsor D. Glavin) works with CODE 699: Planetary Environments Laboratory GESTAR’s Charles Malespin on integrating a new flight-like high- As the lead field unit developer for the VAPoR (Volatile Analysis temperature pyrolysis oven and high mass resolution by Pyrolysis of Regolith) instrument, Dr. Charles Malespin (code reflectron TOFMS (Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer) to the exist- 699, sponsor D. Glavin) operates and analyzes the instrument in ing VAPoR field unit to discover evolved gas measurements of field tests, integrates a sample manipulation system (SMS), tests regolith samples for upcoming science and resource exploration a novel high temperature pyrolysis oven design, and produces field campaigns. Since May 2011, Dr. Southard has been testing software development for data analysis and control. He is also the first new extended format field emission electron gun (e-gun), developing and testing several experimental procedures for the fabricated over the last nine months, inside the recently modified Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite. SAM is part of ion source of VAPoR’s TOFMS. By using a charged particle optics the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover which was launched in modeling software, SIMION, he determined how to best focus November 2011 (scheduled landing date: August 6, 2012). The the electron beam emitted by the electron gun, thus achieving flight instrument, developed at GSFC, is expected to perform a emission currents two orders of magnitude higher than previ- combination of experiments using its quadrapole mass spec- ous emitters. This focused electron beam is used to ionize gas trometer, gas chromatograph, and tunable laser spectrometer. molecules that are then accelerated through the TOFMS. Ionized Dr. Malespin has been involved in developing and testing several gas molecules of the same mass will ideally arrive at a detec- SAM atmospheric experiments, which will examine trace noble tor as a packet at about the same time. By June, he obtained gases and methane in the Martian atmosphere. In addition, he is the first time-of-flight spectra, and in September, he obtained an involved in the data analysis software tools to be used on Mars. optimized spectrum with mass resolution of ~130. The TOFMS was used to measure The Volatile Analysis by Py- the gases evolved from rolysis of Regolith (VAPoR) a sample of JSC1 Mars instrument, a compact stimulant, a stimulant vacuum pyrolysis mass used to imitate the spectrometer, detects composition of Martian volatiles such as water soil. For this testing, and organic compounds a Knudsen cell (oven) released from rock and was used instead of soil samples that are VAPoR’s oven (it was heated to temperatures being used by other over 1300°C. Used to team members). Dr. analyze crushed rocks and Southard presented soils collected during the Figure: Recent testing of the redesigned ion source with an extended for- the results of this test- 2011 NASA Desert Research mat e-gun indicate a sensitivity improvement of two orders of magnitude ing at the 2011 HEMS and Technology Studies and a mass resolution greater than 200. (A. Southard) (Hazardous Environment (D-RATS) field operations Mass Spectrometry) con- near Black Point Lava flow ference. Further results in Arizona, VAPoR produces evolved gas data that helps to select showed that the accuracy of the mass spectra was good, but the the most volatile-rich samples for large scale in situ resource instrument’s sensitivity was lower than predicted and the mass utilization (ISRU). Both the new pyrolysis ovens and new SMS resolution was far below the target value. Additional simula- have undergone operational testing. As the instrument lead for tions were performed to improve sensitivity and mass resolution VAPoR, he will integrate a new custom sample delivery system of the TOFMS, achieved by installing a redesigned ion source. which will provide samples for VAPoR analysis. The VAPoR TOF-MS Simulations of the e-gun were also performed. His results were was successfully integrated and tested with the custom VAPoR discussed at the 2012 MAMNA (MidAtlantic Micro/Nano Alliance) pyrolysis oven for the first full sample spectra. A Martian analog meeting in March 2012. sample, JSC-1A, was heated to 1000 C for analysis using the TOF-

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 45 DELIVERING the MESSAGE

The front page of GSFC’s Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS), http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/, highlights both the latest visualization and one of their most popular visualizations. To search for spe- cific visualizations, the page lists Current SVS Animators as well as Current CI (Conceptual Image) Lab Animators. At present, of the 19 individuals listed, over half are associated with GESTAR: seven are affiliated with GESTAR and five are with GST, a sub- contractor of GESTAR. Codes 130 (Office of Communications, sponsor W. Sisler) and 606 (Education Programs, sponsor J. Harrington) share similar goals: to engage and inform the public in and on NASA Goddard’s missions, events, and hands-on and virtual activities. GESTAR’s team works diligently to meet these goals, collaborating on images, animations and films as well as stories, interviews and interactive educational tools.

Jefferson Beck assumed the role of Lead for the GESTAR Communication Group. He has served on a range of selection committees resulting in the hiring of a planetary video producer, a science writer for the Goddard Cryospheric Branch, and an outreach specialist for Operation IceBridge. This past year, Jef- ferson devoted half of his time to supporting Operation IceBridge in an ongoing effort to tell both the exciting story of researchers studying ice in the field and, increasingly, the important science results that stem from that research. He participated in two field campaigns, spending three weeks in the field in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and Punta Arenas, Chile, and more than 65 hours in the air. While there, he produced photographs and video for use in later products and by the news media. He supported visiting journalists and supplied visuals for a televised press conference and a media teleconference for U.S., Chilean, and international reporters, resulting in substantial international media attention LOOP: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/loop/ and social media hits. While in Chile, Jefferson produced a video (about 200,000+ views to date) along with related visual materi- als on the campaign’s discovery and groundbreaking scientific the continental U.S. as well as Hawaii and China on October 6, measurement of a large crack in the Pine Island Glacier. This 2011. Tyler also created a detailed model of the Interface Region crack will likely lead to an iceberg the size of New York City. The Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), as well as its launch vehicles, the visuals provided context to reporters who were writing their own Lockheed L-1011 aircraft, and the Pegasus rocket delivery system. stories. He also worked to support five different teachers from Several short animations explain the launch mechanisms and the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland who flew with IceBridge out deployment of the IRIS spacecraft. Finally, his James Webb Space of Kangerlussuaq as part of an emerging educational effort. He Telescope (JWST) animation illustrates both the main structure of has also given presentations on IceBridge at the University of the spacecraft, as well as the placement and design of the indi- Magallanes, the Geological Museum of Copenhagen, the Arctic vidual instruments. Institute in Copenhagen, a Danish high school, and at a Goddard Engage event. He also worked closely with the U.S. Embassy in Genna Duberstein is twice as busy these days, as Team Lead for Copenhagen on educational and news media collaboration. Social Media and as Lead Multimedia Producer for Heliophysics. It was recently announced that NASA received this year’s Douglas S. Tyler Chase worked closely this past year with producer Michael Morrow Public Outreach Award, and NASA Headquarters leadership Starobin on the production of “LOOP”, a Science on a Sphere credited the award to the work done across the agency. GSFC’s film. The animation strove to explain self-regulating organic social media efforts warrant the praise. Goddard’s central social systems, and required the development and refinement of creat- media networks have seen steady, consistent growth; in fact, the ing cyclical growth and removal animations, and mapping those NASAexplorer YouTube account, which consists of 450+ videos animations onto a spherical projection system. Completed in and is co-managed by Genna and Ryan Fitzgibbons, has seen its mid-September, LOOP was shown in spherical theaters across views more than double from May 2011 to May 2012. The ratio of 46 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 hits to videos makes the NASAexplorer account the most power- As of November 2011, Ryan took over major production oversight ful YouTube presence on the NASA brand. Further, Genna was for the GPM mission. This has included gathering key science instrumental in successful distribution strategies for key online personnel interviews at the annual PMM Conference in Denver, videos, best exemplified by the strategy tested on “Evolution of managing the development of several visualizations and concep- the Moon”: this video has reached over 2.5 million hits and is tual animations, producing a snow-related liveshot campaign with the most viewed production in the entire history of web videos at Malissa Reyes, and producing a new teaser and mission overview NASA. Additionally, her video “The Truth About 2012” achieved video. Ryan’s main task is keeping the GPM team up to date with great success on nasa.gov and on YouTube. On nasa.gov, it ranks the ever-changing production plan and continually moving it for- in the top 10 highest rated videos, and on YouTube it is in the top ward. Upcoming plans include producing a short career-focused 10 of most viewed. This past year, Genna also was responsible series of web videos called “Faces of GPM” for the GPM website for all aspects of event planning, technical production, graphic and other outreach venues, as well as the production of another design, and advertising for the 3rd Annual Best of Goddard Film media package for Earth Science Week 2012, which will be more Festival. It was well attended, received positive feedback from su- agency-wide and involve several earth science producers. perior staff, and even inspired the format for then-Center Director Rob Strain’s Maryland Space Business Roundtable presentation Dan Gallagher joined Goddard in January as a Multimedia pro- in early 2012. ducer. He has produced and edited several short videos: “Re- cent Geological Activity on the Moon” highlights the discovery of Genna is involved in Breaking News and Media Training Work- this activity on the Moon by Dr. Tom Watters of the Smithsonian shops for Heliophysics. The Heliophysics team needs to be ready National Air and Space Museum; “Rattling Jet Stream on Jupiter” to help the media understand space weather and how it affects shows NASA scientist Amy Simon-Miller’s discovery of large-scale Earth. Reporters like Brian Williams and Anderson Cooper have waves in the upper atmosphere of Jupiter. And, he produced and been picking up footage that originated from GSFC, and The New edited a short video profile on NASA Deputy Project Manager San- York Times and Huffington Post have been turning Goddard vid- dra Cauffman, and her work on MAVEN and at Goddard. eos into interviews for their sites. Scientists may need training on presenting themselves on video and social media, and visualiza- When it comes to improving the Content Management System, tions may become high quality videos; to address this, Genna has Rob Garner continues to be a major voice on behalf of the entire established a media training curriculum with science writer Karen agency in the discussion to improve www.nasa.gov’s content Fox, and conducted a series of workshops covering related topics. management system and associated utilities. This past summer, With Scott Wiessinger, Genna has fielded media requests and he delivered an extensive critique compilation of the CMS to NASA shot FAQ videos for TV producers to use in segments. June 5-6th Headquarters at their request. Headquarters has indicated that is the Transit of Venus; during this rare and exciting scientific this documentation will be used to guide the form of the next CMS event, Genna and Scott will be launching a full media campaign, version. For his familiarity with the system, Robert is routinely including two rounds of liveshot interviews with major news net- consulted by other CMS editors to identify and troubleshoot works, broadcast-ready video of the transit, and interactive social problems. He also provides Earth Science Support by developing media activities for the public. and managing news on the updated www.nasa.gov/earth website. This remains the only manually edited of the topics pages within Ryan Fitzgibbons supports the Office of Education and the Office the nasa.gov architecture. This redesign has also included inten- of Communications with an array of multimedia products to better sive back-end modification. Robert has developed and begun to serve NASA’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics implement a system-wide metadata scheme, which will permit directives. Ryan also provides support to the GPM mission with more granular content sorting, so that users can more easily find an array of multimedia products over the course of the mission’s collections of Earth science materials. Headquarters Web Editor development. For Earth Science Week 2011, the theme was “Our Jim Wilson promoted Garner’s efforts as an example for other Ever-changing Earth.” Ryan produced several short video pieces centers to follow with regard to organizing and improving the pre- for the climate.nasa.gov page as well as for the program’s hour- sentation of NASA content. The Goddard Website was renovated long webcast featuring NASA Chief Scientist Waleed Abdalati and as well, as a result of Robert significantly retrofitting the www. Michelle Thaller. Products included the following: three kickoff nasa.gov/goddard website (approx. 40 pages), which improved videos introducing the theme and NASA products available to content presentation and eliminated out-of-date or duplicated educators (http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/goto?10814); and, an hour- information. The redesign included a streamlined, automated long webcast featuring Drs. Abdalati and Thaller as well as two publishing process to improve posting efficiency. He also led the expert videos, which were used in the webcast, featuring William drive to develop a promotions plan to generate more traffic to the Lau (GSFC) and Gavin Schmidt (GISS) http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/ site. He will be implementing and managing a new blog on behalf goto?10842. of Goddard’s Office of Communications and the Sciences and

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 47 conditions. Currently Rachel is collaborating with cryospheric scientist Lora Koenig and producer Jefferson Beck to refine a conceptual animation depicting the ice accumulation and com- paction cycle that occurs in western Antarctica. This animation is designed to function as a tool for research talks. She also was part of a collaboration on an animated piece for the “Changing Arctic Ocean Freshwater Pathways” paper, the objective being to explain how changing wind patterns/arctic oscillation impact the flow of arctic freshwater pathways between Russian rivers and the Canadian and Eurasian Basins. Rachel is also responsible for a conceptual image that serves to explain the water cycle in context of an upcoming climatology paper. She also worked with Matthew Radcliff and generated work for LDCM. Rachel created a realistic 3-D model of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission satellite and has generated conceptual animations and graphics used in NASA’s revamped Earth website: www.nasa.gov/earth LDCM-focused media. She has delivered two beauty pass anima- tions emphasizing how LDCM orbits Earth and an additional pass Exploration Directorate. For the upcoming Transit of Venus, he will detailing the Thermal Infrared Scanner for a video overview of the support coverage for nasa.gov and on social media accounts. instrument. In tandem with the TIRS visualization, she developed a motion graphic explaining the process of evapotranspiration as In addition to her work as Project Manager of the NASA Viz, Helen- supplement to explanation of TIRS’s function. She will contribute Nicole Kostis develops data visualization in support of Educa- to LDCM production in preparation for the upcoming launch. tion and Public Outreach. In September 2011, she delivered a customized version of the “Ship Tracks visualization” to Houston Michael Lentz creates animations and visuals to support NASA Symphony Orchestra director and producer Duncan Copp. This Goddard missions and science for the Office of Communica- visualization was featured in a production with the orchestra tion and provides creative and technical advice to the Concep- in late 2011. She also worked closely with the NASA grant for tual Image Lab (CIL). This past year his work was widespread, “Beautiful Earth”, serving as science visualizer and consultant by demonstrated by his animations for MAVEN, GOES-R, GPM, and developing three custom visualizations of snow cover for Beautiful LCRD. For Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN), he Earth’s kickoff event, held at the MOST Museum in Syracuse, NY developed a seamless animation to depict the environmental in early October 2011. Helen-Nicole also provided visualization differences between ancient and current Mars. Using cutting-edge material for the second event, held at the Visitor Center at NASA/ CGI he shows what Mars may have looked like from a ground Goddard for the Earth Day celebration on April 18-19, 2012. She level view, then zooms out towards space to demonstrate how consulted with the project team on which visualizations to use Mars looks today. He also created an animation for GOES-R to and how to assemble a 15-minute science talk accompanied by show how the spacecraft will detect the increased lightning activ- visual material produced by the SVS. Other visualization support ity within a supercell to better forecast tornado formations. For includes work with the “Moonrise” film shown against the piece GPM, he animated and composited sequences of a launch and “Daphnis and Chloe” by Maurice Ravel. The Moonrise Chicago deploy animation, which evolved into his creation of an animated Sinfonietta concerts premiered in early November 2011 in Na- matte painting of the launch site and the addition of lighting and perville, IL and Chicago, IL. More concerts will follow with other atmospheric effects. The final composite was created by blending orchestras around the world starting with one in Porto, Portugal all of these elements together for the initial launch sequence of on March 17, 2012. For the Scientist Magazine story: “Casting the animation. Michael designed four posters for Laser Commu- a Wide Eye: Scientists study a variety of large-scale biological nication Relay Demo (LCRD) to help promote the project. Each phenomena from the vantage point of space”, published February poster design was different but had to convey the idea of the 1, 2012, Helen-Nicole provided visualization support and created LCRD. Earth, the ISS, the Moon and Mars were the primary design a global flat map of NDVI and SST. This article featured the work elements used. Additionally, Michael has been deeply involved of GESTAR scientist Assaf Anyamba (see feature in Code 618). Vi- in planning the rebuild and upgrade of the Conceptual Image Lab sualizations were also provided for the Live Shot Snow Campaign (CIL). This includes incorporating new hardware and software on February 1, 2012. into the CIL animation production pipeline as well as refining the animation pipeline for a more efficient workflow. Rachel Kreutzinger has created multiple animations within Earth Science, once which was featured in a recent live shot. The clip Katie Lewis supports the Goddard web team in interactive multi- explains the weather patterns that contribute to tornado alley media development, including the dissemination of scientific me-

48 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 dia such as videos, animations, visualizations, and news stories Matthew produced the program at the Annual Goddard recep- on the web. She also provides graphic design and image editing tion, held at the National Air and Space Museum, and helped services for public affairs, and supports the iPad project, NASA speakers prepare for their talks for what is arguably one of the Viz, by creating websites, uploading media, and designing inter- most high-profile NASA events of the year. He also edited the faces. Over the past year, Katie designed, developed, released, visuals for each presentation, which showcased top researchers and promoted the Goddard Virtual Tour, involving the production in NASA’s four major science areas: solar, planetary, astrophysics, of a full-featured, interactive tour of Goddard Space Flight Center and Earth. The beginning of the program featured NASA’s chief in Adobe Flash, featuring team media contributions including scientist Dr. Waleed Abdalati, and concluded with a discussion video, photos, and written content about Goddard. For the NASA among the five scientists, moderated by former CNN science Visualization Explorer website, Katie joined the team of many reporter Miles O’Brien. Matthew also edited a time-lapse video who are involved with the NASA Viz. Katie designed, developed, that showed the growth of Las Vegas from 1972 to 2010, as seen released and maintained the website for the multimedia team’s by NASA’s Landsat satellites. With regard to Landsat, at the 18th first iPad app. She also worked with Tyler Chase on “LOOP”, Pecora Symposium, he developed web galleries of multimedia for designing, developing, and releasing the promotional website for distribution to the press, produced a live press conference, and this Science on a Sphere production as a crash course in HTML5 directed a live stream of the conference over the Internet. For the and Javascript libraries. The site features celebration of the image galleries and video viewable on 40th anniversary desktop and mobile operating systems. of the launch of the She also developed and released the first first Landsat satel- iteration of the CI Lab website in HTML5 lite, he will produce a and CSS3, to showcase the animation series of time-lapse work of the CIL at Goddard. The site visualizations, mak- features a mobile-compliant demo reel ing use of the depth and includes a dynamic animation gallery and breadth of the developed by Jocelyn Thomson-Jones. Landsat archive.

Matthew Radcliff provides support to Malissa Reyes the Office of Communications, particu- promotes stories larly regarding Earth science communica- and missions that tions, and serves as the Video Producer draw attention to for LDCM and Landsat projects. He research at GSFC prepares videos for the press and for the by producing “live general public about Goddard’s Earth shots”, which science research and their Earth science involves scheduling missions, documenting the construction interviews on sta- of LDCM, including its two instruments, tions nationwide that TIRS and OLI. He also collaborates with take place on the the LDCM Education and Public Outreach same morning. She staff to communicate the work of Landsat produced Live Shots and LDCM teams. Matthew produced, Goddard Virtual Tour: http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/goddardVT/ for several Goddard directed, and edited a 5-minute video giv- Science Missions: ing an overview of the Thermal InfraRed the NPP Launch, Sensor (TIRS) instrument on the LDCM. GOES-R/Tornado The video also gives an explanation of evapotranspiration, used Season, AMSR-E/Sea Ice Minimum, Lunar Eclipse/Lunar Recon- to manage water resources in the Western US and will be mea- naissance Orbiter, and GPM/Winter Snow Accumulations. Her sured by TIRS. Working with Rachel Kreutzinger, he produced a work involves writing media advisories and story pitches, develop- series of images and animations of the LDCM in orbit around the ing questions, editing videos and managing the execution of live Earth. These renderings are provided to the press when they write interviews from the control room. Malissa produced videos on stories about the new Landsat satellite under construction at topics such as STS-135, DISCOVER-AQ Mission, Robotic Refueling Goddard and are made available to scientists and engineers who Mission, and Internal Goddard News. For her work with missions use them in presentations at conferences and educational visits related to Solar Weather and to the Mars Science Laboratory, she to schools. contacted TV stations to cover the eruption of solar flares and en- couraged discussions on the Solar Dynamics Observatory work as

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 49 well as coverage of Goddard’s role in the new Mars Rover named media proposal to them. Since GOES-R is launching in 2015, the Curiosity. While she is leaving Goddard at the end of May, Malissa mission decided to break down the plan and assign Silvia’s team has already set up future live shots for upcoming events: Transit with tasks on an annual basis. In preparation for the NPP launch, of Venus, the 40th Anniversary of Landsat and the relaunch of the Silvia wrote a separate launch plan to explain how events would GLOBE program. be covered and publicized. She coordinated team, talent, and travel logistics, and produced a live broadcast from the launch Trent Schindler provides visualization support for earth sci- site, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. This effort was the first time ence missions and research as part of the GSFC’s SVS. He has she and her team had produced a live nationwide broadcast on a produced a wide variety of Earth science visualizations for use on remote location, which came with its own challenges. In work- several different platforms. His large-format work included several ing with Kennedy Space Center’s TV team, they made this early visualizations for the Science on a Sphere film “LOOP”, which was morning event a success, and also provided terrific talent for the released to museums worldwide, as well as a 15-screen hyper- launch: astronaut Piers Sellers and Baltimore’s ABC2 meteorolo- wall show focused on MERRA. Several of his standard format gist Justin Berk. NASA HQ complimented the launch video, and a visualizations have been prominently used, including a jet stream follow-up “behind the scenes” video was created to show how a animation broadcast by KQED, an Antarctic flow visualization launch event is covered by the media. subsequently requested by Vice President Al Gore for use in his presentations, and an animation of 2011 sea ice extent from Silvia also shot, produced, and edited a video on Hatteras Island maximum to minimum which was used in a television live shot by after Hurricane Irene. This project was completed on her own time HQ personnel. He also created a visualization of the meteorologi- and expense. The island was completely detached in 5 places cal connection between the floods in Pakistan and the Russian from the mainland and local residents who had been evacuated heat wave in Summer 2010 (see reports by Drs. Oreste Reale and were unable to attend to their damaged homes. Silvia managed Kyu-Myong Kim) as well as the 3D elements and shaders for use to get a permit to access the ferry and made it to the island on in an ICESCAPE visualization. Trent also produced a “first light” her second attempt. Hatteras was devastated and had become a salinity map from the newly launched satellite Aquarius, an ICESat disaster recovery zone. She interviewed local people as well as curtain over Antarctica, a visualization of NPP data, and a dem- the person in charge of the Red Cross and the Fire Department onstration visualization to show the potential of the GPM Core Chief. Besides telling their story, she also wanted to discover how satellite. Most recently, Trent created an animation that shows they used satellite data to help them prepare for a severe hur- the circulation of ocean currents in the vicinity of the western ice ricane like Irene. She rented a small airplane and acquired aerial shelves of Antarctica, to accompany a release regarding the loss footage of the island. When she completed the video, she added of ice from the shelves. a donation link at the end. Silvia’s production was picked up by lo- cal news and online publications, and was published on nasa.gov. Kayvon Sharghi reports on NASA Earth science findings through Additionally, the aerial footage was requested from a museum in digital media communication platforms and strategic online California for an exhibit on severe weather. campaigns. He has also been heavily involved with the NASA Vizsualization Explorer iPad app since its inception, managing the Scott Weissinger provides an abundance of visual support for editorial content and style, and release of stories. He has suc- both the Heliophysics and Astrophysics divisions at Goddard, cessfully managed the biweekly, on-time release of new stories, focusing primarily on science results. This includes producing and continues to coordinate activities of the NASA Viz editorial short videos, creating static graphics, guiding the creation of support team and a growing list of contributors. This app should animations and data visualizations, creating animations, provid- reach its milestone 100th story, scheduled for release in June ing materials to outside media and producers, collecting, creating 2012, and it continues to receive positive ratings and reviews. and organizing visuals for press conferences, and curating visuals At the time of this report, this app had generated a remarkable online. Scott also coordinates and collaborates with science writ- 650,000+ downloads from the iTunes Store. Kayvon also provides ers and scientists to produce accurate and accessible materials one-on-one mentoring and group coaching to new contributors, timed to coincide with press releases and other public announce- imparting tips and strategies that elevated the quality of their ments. For example, the approach of solar maximum has caused submitted content. He also provides writing and editing support increased solar activity, which has sparked greater public interest. in generating the text for the NASA Visualization Explorer website As a result, Scott has produced several breaking news videos of as well as the app instructions, story lists and control panel. large solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The most popular of these videos, footage of the March 7 X-class flare, has received Silvia Stoyanova fully produced the pre-launch media campaign over 600,000 views on YouTube. He has also created several for the NPOESS Preparatory Mission (NPP), as well as covered videos explaining solar activity, which include a guide to solar flare the launch events and the follow-up science results. She also classification, an explanation of the solar cycle, and two videos contacted the GOES-R mission team, and wrote and presented a about space weather.

50 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 While most of his work is in support of heliophysics and astro- CODE 606 physics, Scott also produced a short video for GESTAR, a compi- Dr. Daniel Laughlin is the NASA Learning Technologies lead lation of material created by GESTAR media professionals, and researcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The Learn- a video highlighting the work done by Montana State University ing Technologies (LT) task objective is to help NASA Education alumni for Goddard. Scott also contributes stories, videos and accomplish its goals of inspiring more students to study science, graphic stills for the NASA Viz. To further support heliophysics, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields and Scott created two resource compilation pages on NASA’s SVS graduate into STEM careers. That effort is supported by leading site. One is a collection of space weather videos and the other a research and development in the educational uses of games and breaking news archive which automatically updates. His work with virtual worlds for NASA and leading a public/private partnership astrophysics production focused on science results. Of the 30 effort to match those and other technologies with NASA content astrophysics videos that Scott released between May 11, 2011 and research-based education methods. Dr. Laughlin became and May 10, 2012, 16 were based on science results or observa- executive secretary of the National Science and Technology tions, primarily from three high-energy astrophysics satellites: the Council’s (NSTC) subcommittee on Digital Gaming Technology; Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, the Swift Gamma-ray Burst this subcommittee will shape the national agenda for games Telescope, and the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). Looking as tools for positive impact. He was also named co-chair of the ahead, Scott is co-producing with Genna Duberstein a space Federal Games Group, an inter-agency working group on govern- weather-themed congressional event at the National Air and ment uses of games sponsored by the White House Office of Sci- Space Museum in September. ence and Technology Policy (OSTP). Further, he was named NASA Education’s point of contact for the newly created Participatory Ernest Wright provides scientific visualization products in support Engagement Program, which stems from Congressional direction of E/PO and PAO for Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and other mis- for NASA to do more to directly engage the public in “participatory sions. His visualization, “Tour of the Moon”, shows global lunar exploration”. Participatory exploration (renamed engagement) is a terrain based on LOLA altimetry and LROC WAC and NAC imagery form of citizen science that seeks to engage members of the pub- from LRO. The narrated version has been widely viewed on the lic in NASA missions Web and will be adapted for the display of the LRO engineer- as active partici- ing model at the Goddard Visitors Center. Also, “Dial-A-Moon” pants. He has much provides a geocentric view of the Moon’s phase, libration, and experience working position angle of the axis at hourly intervals for 2012. This visual- with participatory ex- ization has been widely blogged (e.g., http://blogs.discovermaga- ploration projects in zine.com/badastronomy/2012/03/02/nasa-goddard-rocks-the- virtual worlds. Finally, moon/) and is used on the home page of observethemoonnight. as a result of a NASA org. “Earthrise” is Ernie’s re-creation of the Earthrise famously Partnership that won photographed by the Apollo 8 crew, released for Earth Day 2012. the MacArthur Digital After its release, Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders visited the SVS to Badge Competi- discuss this visualization. tion, Dr. Laughlin is NASA’s co-lead for Ryan Zuber creates conceptual animation and science illustration the digital badging core content for a wide variety of media products with the goal initiative that has Learning Technologies, Goddard Innovative of communicating to the public the scientific research, systems, NASA and other Partnership Office and Astronaut: Moon, and tools developed at NASA. He has supported a wide array federal agencies Mars and Beyond, LLC’s NASA=themed of NASA missions, science, and education initiatives. Twelve collaborating with the MMO STEM learning game: http://www. individual animations along with a 1.5-minute launch-and-deploy MacArthur Founda- astronautmmo.com/dmf/ animation were produced that illustrated the NPP satellite and tion and Mozilla associated instruments. These accompanied several still illustra- to develop digital tions that were used in print and web materials related to the badges as tools to stimulate and capture online learning in STEM mission. Additional media was created in support of the SWIFT areas. Launched in September, this initiative has strong support and IRIS missions, and helped to explain new research on super from the White House’s OSTP. The NASA digital badge team part- massive black holes, Arctic Ocean freshwater pathways, and the nered with Project Whitecard and the Center for Educational Tech- Schumann Resonance. They have been featured on broadcast nology in a winning pitch in the final round of the Digital Medial television, on the websites of Forbes and Wired magazines, in and Learning Badges for Life Long Learning Competition. The two publications of Nature and Astronomy, and on NASA websites, developers will be funded through the competition to work with press releases, and outreach materials. the NASA team for one year to develop a prototype digital badging ecosystem based on NASA robotics content and activities.

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 51 PRODUCTS

In addition to conducting Earth Science and Planetary research, performing calibration/vali- dation assessments, testing and improving modeling capabilities, submitting papers for pub- lication, and working on numerous SVS projects, GESTAR members were involved in creating and maintaining a variety of products during the past year.

In accordance with the GESTAR Cooperative Agreement, GESTAR submitted the required Quarterly Reports and Annual Progress Report on a timely basis since May 11, 2011. Ad- ditionally, the publications, presentations, and proposals of GESTAR members over the past year are submitted under a separate Appendices file. GESTAR’s website, hosted by USRA, provides Science Highlights, Recent News, Staff Directory, and related links, such as the link to the Maniac Talk: http://gestar.usra.edu/.

photo below: Compton Tucker presents a Maniac Talk.

The GESTAR Maniac Talk, an integral part of the GESTAR Forum, ers have made it possible to hold Earth in the palm of your hand, offers the opportunity to “discuss and learn”. The Maniac Talks “… thanks to a new iPad app released on July 26, 2011. The NASA promote scientific interaction between young and experienced sci- Visualization Explorer was developed at the Scientific Visualization entists in order to learn/improve/revise the knowledge of basics/ Studio (SVS) at GSFC in Greenbelt, MD. Users have the ability to fundamentals of science and scientific methods for research.” GE- peruse extraordinary images, video, and information about NASA’s STAR members Pawan Gupta, Falguni Patadia, Ritesh Gautam, latest Earth science research, including high-resolution movies Andrew Sayer, and Charles Gatebe were and are instrumental in and stills created from real satellite data. Interviews with scien- creating and maintaining this exciting series. Speakers to date tists, imagery from supercomputer modeling efforts, and social have included Goddard scientists Warren networking interfaces for Facebook Wiscombe, Vanderlei Martins, Compton and Twitter will also be accessible on Tucker, Alexander Marshak, P.K. Bhartia, the app. and Richard Stolarski. Details on previous talks and upcoming speakers can be found Under the direction of Helen-Nicole on the Maniac Talk blog: http://maniactalk. Kostis, project manager, the team re- gestar.usra.edu/. leases two stories per week and con- tinues to expand its content offerings The GESTAR Forums, which occur twice a through the addition of new contribu- month, provide opportunities for scientists tors – Earth Observatory and NASA’s to interact, to share ideas, to present their Science Mission Directorate. This re- research, whether in preparation for an up- porting year, Helen-Nicole is also work- coming conference or to simply impart their ing with the NASA Office of Education discoveries, to allow scientists to discover opportunities for collab- (GSFC) on the development of a “Teacher Pilot Project” for the oration. GESTAR-related issues are also addressed at the Forum, NASA Viz iPad app. The purpose of the pilot project is to gather which is run by a committee. Charles Gatebe and Mircea Grecu data and receive feedback from teachers on 1) how they use NASA organize and moderate the Forums, and are always exploring new Viz in the classroom, 2) what type of content needed is missing ways to engage the GESTAR and Goddard communities. from the app, and 3) what type of features would be useful to de- velop, while keeping in mind that the app is designed for the public The NASA Visualization Explorer (NASA Viz), http://svs.gsfc.nasa. and not for teachers only. This project started on August 2011 and gov/nasaviz/index.html, was an exciting development over the will launch in September 2012. The team members are currently past year. A multi-disciplinary team of data visualizers, science finalizing the Logic Model of the Pilot and are working with Einstein writers, software developers, producers and interactive design- Fellows to put together a plan for the upcoming school year.

52 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 NASA Viz iPad app highlights:

To date, the app reached #1 in the Education and in the Earth and Space Science iTunes app Store

To date, the team has released 85 stories

The app received positive reviews from top online media outlets such as CNN, Gizmodo, GODD magazine, and TUAW.

The app has reached over 650K total downloads

Apple has requested a special version of NASA Viz to promote in special venues, marketing, sales and education events.

Students interact with NASA Viz iPad app.

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 53 STUDENT ENGAGEMENTS and E/PO

In addition to conducting scientific experiments, engaging in field E/PO campaigns, creating and/or producing scientific visualizations, Jefferson Beck gave a 3-hour presentation to Morgan State Uni- writing manuscripts, conducting reviews, and performing the daily versity students who visited GSFC in late April. Students toured tasks at hand, several members of the GESTAR community are in- the Goddard TV Studio and editing facilities, received a behind-the- scenes look at the Scientific Visualization Studio and Conceptual volved in providing support to students as well as participating in Imaging Lab, and viewed the NCCS hyperwall display. activities related to education and public outreach (E/PO). Ludovic Brucker gave four outreach talks over the past year: three at Robert Goddard French Immersion School (Prince George’s Student Engagements County, MD) and one at Sligo Creek Elementary School (Mont- gomery County, MD). Dr. Brucker was also a panelist for the NASA Ludovic Brucker, along with Dr. Thorsten Markus, advised two Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) 2012 program. NASA summer interns: Susan Kurth, a junior at Purdue University, Kelly Brunt presented a talk on Antarctica, related to general cli- IN, funded by the NASA Summer Institute in the Earth Sciences, mate studies, to 9th grade students at Granby High School, Gran- and Aditi Shenoy, a sophomore at George Washington University, by, CT in November 2011. DC, funded by the DC Inspire Project, Inc. They worked on projects respectively entitled “Analyzing Arctic multi-year sea ice floes using Edward Celarier teaches with Adventure in Science (http://www. MODIS” and “Modeling microwave brightness temperature of snow adventureinscience.org/), a Saturday morning hands-on science on sea ice from in situ measurements”. Both interns presented a club, hosted and sponsored by NIST and Montgomery County 4H. poster during the Goddard Intern Day and wrote an internal report. He is also assisting a group of students in Guadalajara, Mexico, In addition, Susan Kurth presented a 10-minute talk. who are developing a hand-held sun photometer for measuring aerosols. Edward Celarier is working with Ing. Gloria Faus-Landeros, as a co-advisor for her Ph.D. thesis work. Charles Gatebe coordinates the Climate and Radiation Labora- tory seminar series for 2011-2012 and chairs the GESTAR Forum, Thomas Diehl advised a high school summer student on her proj- which meets every two weeks at NASA/GSFC. He also coordinates ect, which focused on the analysis of GOCART runs that had been the monthly Maniac Talk series, held at NASA/GSFC. previously performed for the Task Force on Interhemispheric Trans- port of Air Pollution (TF HTAP). His advice included background Ritesh Gautam gave a presentation in July 2011 to 35 high school information on the HTAP project, the data structure, and IDL cod- STEM-focused students, enrolled for the 2011 Summer Academy ing. Dr. Diehl also advised a PhD student at the City University of of Mathematics and Science Program at Morgan State University. Hong Kong on GOCART model runs and emission choices for his research. Helen-Nicole Kostis, Project Manager of the NASA Visualization Ex- plorer (NASAViz), an iTunes app, conducted a field test for the prod- Hiran Jethva worked with Ciara Brow, a graduate student at Hamp- uct in a 6th grade Science & Technology classroom at Loudoun ton University, Hampton, VA, on her thesis work by providing for- Country Day School, Leesburg, VA in June 2011. Ms. Kostis also matted MODIS data as well as its interpretation. serves on the American Association of Museums’ Media & Technol- ogy Committee’s MUSE Jury committee for 2012. (Learn more at Sergey Korkin reviewed PhD candidate Dmitriy S. Efremenko’s dis- http://www.mediaandtechnology.org/muse-awards/.) sertation thesis titled “Solution to inverse problems of the radiative and particles transfer theory for analysis of multilayer structures” Adrian Southard was a Science Fair judge at the Prince George’s (in Russian). Dr. Efremenko received his PhD degree in physics and County area science fair in March 2012. mathematics from Moscow State University. He is currently with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Yaping Zhou organized and led the first GESTAR Day event on Sep- tember 9, 2011. Matthew Kowalewski provided support and guidance to a Univer- sity of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) graduate student in making diffuser cosine dependence measurements in the RCDL.

54 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 AWARDS

Daniel Laughlin (code 606, sponsor J. Harrington) received both At Goddard’s Mesoscale Atmospheric Processes Awards Ceremo- the NASA Group Achievement Award and the Federal Laboratory ny, Jason Sippel (code 612, sponsor S. Braun) was presented with STEM Award. His NASA Group Achievement award was for the suc- the unique and esteemed award for Best Paper: Sippel, J. A., S. cess of the Moonbase Alpha game developed with the Army Game A. Braun, and C.-L. Shie (2011), Environmental influences on the Studio and Virtual Heroes. Rated “E for Everyone”, it is intended strength of Tropical Storm Debby (2006), Journal of Atmospheric to inspire interest in STEM studies and careers. It takes place at Sciences, 68, 2557-2581. a hypothetical lunar outpost based on NASA’s lunar architecture models. The game has been downloaded 500,000 times, received Charles Gatebe (code 613, sponsor R. Kahn) received an award at popular and critical acclaim, and won the 2010 Serious Games of the ES-A ceremony for Outstanding Performance in Instrumenta- the Year (government) award at IITSEC. Also, the Federal Lab Con- tion: “For elevating the visibility of the CAR instrument with several sortium Mid-Atlantic group selected Dr. Laughlin’s NASA-themed first-author papers, on ship wakes, on simultaneous CAR+AERONET massively multiplayer online (MMO) science, technology, engineer- surface-atmosphere retrievals, and on smoke plume properties in ing and mathematics (STEM) learning game project for their 2011 ARCTAS, and for leading the design of the new BACAR aircraft in- STEM Award. The Learning Technologies project office shared the strument with much broader spectral range than CAR, polarization award with the Goddard Innovative Partnership Program Office and channels, and improved performance.” Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond, LLC. Dong Min Lee (code 613, sponsor L. Oreopoulos) received an Kyu-Myong Kim (code 610, sponsor W. K. Lau) received an award award for “Outstanding Science Achievement” at GSFC’s Climate at the Earth Sciences-Atmospheres awards ceremony (formally and Radiation Laboratory’s Awards Ceremony, for “greatly enhanc- known as the Laboratory for Atmospheres) for Outstanding Perfor- ing the capabilities of the GEOS-5 atmospheric GCM through his mance in Science: “For outstanding contributions in aerosol-pre- implementation and evaluation of new radiation and cloud micro- cipitation-climate dynamics research using satellite observations physical schemes”. and high-resolution atmospheric models.” Yuekui Yang (code 613, sponsor A. Marshak) had a milestone pa- Peter Norris (code 610.1, sponsor A. daSilva) was awarded a per on his study of blowing snow published in the Journal of Geo- GMAO Outstanding Performance Award, together with Dr. Andrea physical Research – Atmosphere: Palm, S. P., Y. Yang, J. D. Spin- Molod of the GMAO, for implementation of the COSP simulators to hirne, and A. Marshak (2011), Satellite remote sensing of blowing support the GEOS-5 submission to CFMIP. snow properties over Antarctica, J. Geophys. Res., 116, D16123, doi:10.1029/2011JD015828. This paper presented a new tech- Cecile Rousseaux (code 610.1, sponsor W. Gregg) presented re- nique for the detection of blowing snow events using satellite lidar sults of her work at various conferences throughout the year. At data. For his contribution to the study of cloud impact on the accu- the World Climate Research Program in October 2011, she pre- racy of surface altimetry measurements by the ICESat and ICESat- sented work that was very well received and resulted in an Out- II space-borne lidar missions, the Climate and Radiation Labora- standing Presentation Award from the WCRP. tory honored him with its Best First-Authored Paper award.

Yury Vikhliaev (code 610.1, sponsor M. Rienecker) collaborated Yaping Zhou (code 610, sponsor W. K. Lau) received an Outstand- with the GMAO data assimilation group to improve the representa- ing Service Award from the Chinese Oceanic and Atmospheric Asso- tion of the ocean diurnal skin layer in the GEOS-5 AOGCM. This ciation (COAA). She completed a two-year term as a board member effort is a step towards the development of the next-generation of COAA in January 2012. During her tenure, she was responsible Integrated Earth System Analysis. Dr. Vikhliaev was presented with for reporting COAA news and publishing semi-annual newsletters. an award for Outstanding Performance “for his exceptional efforts in finalizing the GEOS-5 AOGCM for the decadal prediction suite.” Also at the ES-A awards ceremony, Nader Abuhassan (code 614, sponsor J. Rodriguez) was the recipient of NASA’s contractors Also at the Earth Sciences-Atmospheres awards ceremony, Jiun- award for his Outstanding Performance in Engineering: “For key Dar Chern (code 612, sponsor W.-K. Tao) received an award for engineering in the development and construction of the GSFC Pan- Outstanding Performance in Science: “For outstanding research in dora spectrometer systems for column and profile measurements coupling the Goddard fvGCM, GCE and LIS models to study the of atmospheric trace gases and for successful deployment of an multi-scale precipitation processes.” array of Pandora systems in the 2011 DISCOVER-AQ field mission”.

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 55 ACRONYMS

7-SEAS Seven South-East Asian Studies COT Cloud Optical Thickness ACAM Airborne Compact Atmospheric Mapper CRM Cloud-Resolving Model ACCMIP Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate DAS Data Assimilation System Model Intercomparison Project DISCOVER-AQ Deriving Information on Surface Conditions ACE Advanced Composition Explorer from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations ADAM Altitude-Dependent Atmosphere Model Relevant to Air Quality AERONET Aerosol Robotic Network DLN Digital Learning Network AGCM Atmospheric General Circulation Model DOE Department of Energy AGU American Geophysical Union DPR Dual-frequency Participation Radar AIRS Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder D-RATS Desert Research and Technology Studies AMOC Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation DSCVR Deep Space Climate Observatory AMS American Meteorological Society ECMWF European Centre for Medium-Range Weather AMSR-E Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Forecast EOS EHP Elevated Heat Pump AOD Aerosol Optical Depth ENSO El Niño/Southern Oscillation ARCTAS Arctic Research of the Composition of the EO-1 Earth Observing One Satellite Mission Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites EPA Environmental Protection Agency ARM Atmospheric Radiation Measurement EPIC Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera ASCAT Advanced Scatterometer ESA European Space Agency ASCENDS Active Sensing of C02 Emissions over Nights, Days ESG Earth System Grid and Seasons ESSP Earth System Science Partnership ATBD Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document GCE Goddard Cumulus Ensemble ATMS Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder GCI Global Catchment Initiative ATTREX Airborne Tropical Tropopause Experiment GCOS Global Climate Observing System AVDC Aura Validation Data Center GDEWS Global Drought Early Warning System BASE-ASIA Biomass-burning Aerosols in South-East Asia GEO Group on Earth Observations BEST NASA’s Beginning Engineering, Science and GEOMS Generic Earth Observation Metadata Standard Technology GEOS-5 Goddard Earth Observing System Version 5 CALIPSO Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder GESTAR Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research Satellite Observation GEWEX Global Energy Water Cycle Experiment CAR Cloud Absorption Radiometer GLAM Global Land Agricultural Monitoring System CASES Canadian Arctic Shelf Exchange Study GLIS Goddard Land Information System CATS Cloud-Aerosol Transport System GMAO Global Modeling and Assimilation Office CCM Chemistry-Climate Model GMI Global Modeling Initiative CCMP Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform project GOCART Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and CDA Cloud Data Assimilation Transport CDC Center for Disease Control GOES-R Geostationary Operational Environmental CERES Clouds and Earth Radiant Energy System Satellite-R CFH Cryogenic Frostpoint Hygrometer GOESS Global Earth Observing System of Systems CFMIP Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project GOME Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment CGCM Coupled General Circulation Model GPM Global Precipitation Measurement CIL Conceptual Image Lab GRACE Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment CME Coronal Mass Ejection GRIP Genesis and Rapid Intensification Process CMIP Coupled Model Intercomparison Project GRUAN GCOS Reference Upper Air Network COSP CFMIP Observation Simulator Package GSARTM Global Simplified Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Model

56 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 GSFC Goddard Space Flight Center LRO Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter GWC Global Water Cycle LSM Land Surface Model GWSP Global Water System Project LST Land Surface Temperature HIWRAP High-Altitude Imaging Wind and Rain Airborne LT Learning Technologies Profiler LUT Look-Up Tables HS3 Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel MABEL Multiple Altimeter Beam Experimental Lidar HTAP Hemispheric Transport of Air Pollution MAIRS Monsoon Asia Integrated Regional Study IAC International Astronautical Congress MAVEN Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission IBEX Interstellar Boundary Explorer MC3E Middle Latitude Continental Convective Clouds ICESat Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite Experiment IGPO International GEWEX Project Office MEaSUREs Making Earth Science data records for Use in IGWCO Integrated Global Water Cycle Observations Research for Earth Science IIP Instrument Incubator Program MEMLS Microwave Emission Modeled of Layered IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Snowpack IRIS Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph MERRA Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research ISIS International Spaceborne Imaging Spectroscopy and Applications ITCZ Intertropical Convergence Zone MESSENGER MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, JWST James Webb Space Telescope GEochemistry and Ranging LCLUC Land Cover Land Use Program MJO Madden-Julian Oscillation LCROSS Lunar Crater and Observation Sensing Satellite MLS Microwave Limb Sounder LDAS Land Data Assimilation System MMF Multi-scale Modeling Framework LDCM Landsat Data Continuity Mission MODIS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer LPVEx Light Precipitation Validation Experiment MPLNET Micropulse Lidar Network

GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 | 57 MSL Mars Science Laboratory SMAP Soil Moisture Active/Passive MUST NASA Motivating Undergraduates in Science and SMOS Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity Technology SMS Synchronous Meterological Satellite Program NAI NASA Astrobiology Institute SOA Secondary Organic Aerosol NDACC Network for the Detection of Atmospheric SODAS Satellite Observations of Drought for Agricultural Composition Change Sustainability NDVI Normalized Difference Vegetation Index SORCE Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment NEWS NASA Energy and Water Cycle Studies SPARC Stratospheric Processes And their Role in Climate NMME National Multi-Model Ensemble SST Sea Surface Temperature NOBM NASA Ocean Biogeochemical Model STE Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange NPOESS National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Satellite System Mathematics NPP NPOESS Preparatory Project STEREO Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory NPP OMPS NPOESS Preparatory Project’s Ozone Mapping SVS Scientific Visualization Studio Profiler Suite TIRS Thermal InfraRed Sensor NU-WRF NASA Unified Weather Research and Forecasting TOA Top of the Atmosphere NWP Numerical Weather Prediction TOASWF Top of Atmosphere Shortwave Flux ODS Ozone Depleting Substances TOF Time of Flight OIB Operation IceBridge TRACE Terrestrial North American Hydro-Climate OLR Outgoing Longwave Radiation Experiment OMI Ozone Monitoring Instrument TRMM Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission OSSE Observing System Simulation Experiments TTL Tropical Tropopause Layer PIA Path-integrated Attenuation TWP-ICE Tropical Warm Pool-International Cloud Experiment PIC Particulate Inorganic Carbon UARS Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite PM Particulate Matter UNCFSP United Negro College Fund Special Programs PSC Polar Stratospheric Clouds Corporation RBSP Radiation Belt Storm Probes USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture RCDL Radiometric Calibration and Development VaPoR Volatile Analysis by Pyrolysis of Regolith Laboratory VIIRS Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite RFI Radio Frequency Interference VLIDORT Linearized vector radiative transfer model RXTE Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer WAIS West Antarctic Ice Shelf SAL Sahara Air Layer WCRP World Climate Research Program SAM Sample Analysis at Mars WRF Weather Research and Forecast SBM Spectral Bin Microphysics WRF-EnKF WRF-model ensemble Kalman Filter SDO Solar Dynamics Observatory SDSU Satellite Data Simulation Unit SeaWiFS Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor

58 | GESTAR Annual Report 2011 - 2012 In collaboration with NASA, GESTAR conceives and develops new space-based missions; provides mission requirements; conducts research to explain the behavior of Earth and other planetary systems; and creates engaging media to tell the story of exploration and discovery here on Earth and beyond. MISSIONMESSENGER HELIOPHYSICS EARTH ASTROPHYSICS

IBEX collects data across the entire sky Aqua obtains sets of precise atmosphere EO-1 is an advanced land-imaging mission HS3 is a five-year mission targeted to en- LDCM will permit studies of land cover FERMI is a gamma-ray observatory that about the heliosphere and its boundary. and oceans measurements to understand that demonstrates new instruments and hance our understanding of the processes and land use change over multi-decadal explores the most extreme environments their role in Earth’s climate and its varia- spacecraft systems. that underlie hurricane intensity change in periods. in the Universe. IRIS will broaden our understanding of tions. the Atlantic Ocean basin. how the solar atmosphere is energized. GPM is an international satellite mission Operation IceBridge is an airborne mis- JWST is an infrared telescope that will Aquarius is a focused satellite mission to to provide next-generation observations ICESat-2 will measure ice sheet mass sion making altimetry, radar, and other study every phase in the history of our RBSP is being designed to help us under- measure global sea surface salinity. of rain and snow worldwide every three balance, cloud and aerosol heights, as geophysical measurements to monitor and Universe. stand the Sun’s influence on Earth and hours. well as land topography and vegetation characterize the Earth’s cryosphere. Near-Earth space by studying the Earth’s ATTREX will perform a series of measure- characteristics. RXTE is a satellite that observes the fast- radiation belts on various scales of space ments to better understand chemical GRACE makes detailed measurements of SMAP will measure surface soil moisture moving, high-energy worlds of black holes, and time. composition and physical processes of the Earth’s gravity field which may lead to dis- Jason-2 is an oceanography mission to and freeze-thaw state, providing for scien- neutron stars, X-ray pulsars and bursts of Tropical Tropopause Layer. coveries about gravity and Earth’s natural monitor global ocean circulation, improve tific advances and societal benefits. X-rays that light up the sky and then disap- SDO is driving towards predictive capabili- systems. global climate predictions, and monitor pear forever. ties of solar variations that influence Aura provides measurements that enable events such as El Niño conditions and SORCE provides measurements of incom- RBSP - August 2012 life on Earth and humanity’s us to investigate questions about ozone GRIP is an Earth science field experiment ocean eddies. ing x-ray, ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, Suzaku is a joint Japanese-US satellite technological systems. trends, air quality changes and their link- that was conducted to better understand and total solar radiation. These measure- whose mission is to study X-rays emitted age to climate change. how tropical storms form and develop into Landsat observes the Earth’s continental ments address long-term climate change. by objects in the universe, such as stars, STEREO traces the flow of energy major hurricanes. and coastal landscapes at a scale where galaxies, and black holes. and matter from the Sun to Earth CALIPSO provides new information about human impacts and natural changes can Terra provides global data on the state of and reveals the 3D structure the effects of clouds and aerosols on be monitored, differentiated, and charac- the atmosphere, land, and oceans, as well Swift observes gamma-ray bursts and of coronal mass ejections. changes in the Earth’s climate. terized over time. as their interactions with solar radiation afterglows in the gamma-ray, X-ray, ultra- and with one another. violet, and optical wavebands. Voyager extends the exploration of the DISCOVER-AQ provides an integrated solar system beyond the neighborhood of dataset of airborne and surface observa- TRMM provides spaceborne rain radar the outer planets to the outer limits of the tions relevant to the diagnosis of surface AURA and microwave radiometric data that mea- Sun’s sphere of influence, and possibly air quality conditions from space. sures the vertical distribution of precipita- LUNAR & PLANETARY beyond. tion over the tropics. LRO is an unmanned mission to create a SMAP - 2015 comprehensive atlas of the Moon’s features LRO LDCM - June 2013 and resources necessary to design and build a lunar outpost.

MAVEN will explore Mars’ upper atmo- sphere, ionosphere and interactions with the sun and solar wind.

MESSENGER is a scientific investigation of the planet Mercury, the least explored TRMM terrestrial planet.

MSL is part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the red planet. The rover, Curiosity, was designed to determine the planet’s habitability. HS3 - August 2012