Vaisala News178 / 2008

A day in a hurricane specialist's life Tropical cyclones: The value of Vaisala Dropsondes and lightning data Building automation at its best Vaisala technology supports state- of-the-art laboratory conditions Phoenix 2007 Lander on Mars Onboard pressure sensor based on Vaisala BAROCAP® technology Atmospheric monitoring across Oklahoma City Vaisala Weather Transmitters used for urban weather observations Contents Vaisala in brief – Vaisala is the global leader 3 Presidents Column in weather and industrial measurement solutions. Our 4 A day in a hurricane specialist’s life goal is to provide the basis for better quality of life, environ- 8 Building automation at its best mental protection, safety, effi- ciency and cost-savings. 10 Phoenix 2007 Lander on Mars 15:30 EDT Miami, Florida, – Together with our custom- USA: a hurricane specialist 14 Vaisala strengthens its presence in India ers, we influence the lives of shows up for the evening shift hundreds of millions of peo- at the National Hurricane 15 Not an ordinary holiday flight ple. We improve the quality Center (NHC). A hurricane is of everyday life by, for exam- approaching from the Gulf of Mexico. How does our hurricane 16 Atmospheric monitoring across Oklahoma City ple, enabling reliable weather specialist act, and what are his information, aviation and traf- decesions based on? Page 4. 19 Vaisala to deliver weather radar equipment fic safety, and energy-efficient and high quality operations. to US Federal Aviation Administration

20 Vessel Traffic Services enhance maritime traffic safety

22 Exploring the oceans

23 Hands-on natural science Cover photo: On May 25th, 2008, NASA’s Shutterstock Phoenix 2007 Lander successfully 25 Briefly noted touched down on Mars' northern Editor-in-Chief: polar region. The onboard meteo- rological instrument includes a Marikka Nevamäki pressure sensor, based on Vaisala BAROCAP® technology, for atmospheric barometric pressure Publisher: measurement. Page 10. Vaisala Oyj P.O. Box 26 FI-00421 Helsinki FINLAND

Phone (int.): + 358 9 894 91

Telefax: The Oklahoma City Micronet (OKCNET) is a project designed + 358 9 8949 2227 to improve the atmospheric monitoring across the Oklahoma Internet: City metropolitan area. Vaisala Weather Transmitters have been www.vaisala.com mounted on traffic signals all around the city. Page 16. Design and Artwork: Sampo Korkeila

Printed in Finland by: SP-Paino

ISSN 1238-2388

2 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 Corporate Responsibility President’s column – what is it good for?

What is the role of business in society? Is business ethically and contributing to the the sole purpose of business to produce communities we live in. profits for its owners, and nothing else? We have done a lot in all these spheres These questions are debated all over the throughout our history. Recently we have world as you and I make decisions and assembled information about these activ- choices in both our private and business ities from across our business areas in a roles, every day. more organized manner. The results can Business is mainly about making be seen in our first Corporate Responsi- profits, that much is true. But it is also a bility Report, which we plan to publish collective of people working as a part of next year. We believe that responsible society. There is a long tradition of busi- business conduct benefits all: the way nesses that have made valuable volun- we manage our relationship with our tary contributions to societal wellbeing stakeholders and translate our values and development, in addition to contri- and principles into action also affects the butions resulting from their business long-term success of our own business. activity. Corporate Responsibility activities will Vaisala believes in a world where envi- not revolutionize the world. However, ronmental observations improve daily responsible business conduct can make life. We are privileged to work in a busi- a significant contribution to addressing ness that positively affects the lives of the social and environmental challenges hundreds of millions of people all over we are facing today. Be it as individuals or Kjell Forsén the world. As the global leader in envi- as representatives of business, our current CEO ronmental measurement and an active actions affect future generations and member of society, Vaisala has a respon- leave a legacy of social, environmental sibility to act as a good corporate citizen. and financial contributions. What does this mean in practice? Together with our customers, we For Vaisala, this means constantly at Vaisala contribute positively to the improving our products’ environmental everyday lives of people all over the world. performance as well as our own environ- That's a legacy to be proud of. n mental performance. It means conducting

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 3 Hurricane track forecasts have improved substantially due to Vaisala Dropsonde measurements.

4 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 Nicholas W.S. Demetriades Manager, Applications & Technology and Ronald L. Holle Meteorologist, Consultant Vaisala, Inc. A day in a hurricane specialist’s life Tucson AZ, USA Tropical cyclones: The value of Vaisala Dropsondes and lightning data

15:30 EDT Miami, Florida, USA: a hurricane Houston? When should he issue a hurri- technology. The Vaisala-NCAR GPS Drop- specialist shows up for the evening shift at cane watch and where? When should sonde, or RD93, was first manufactured the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Hurri- he issue a tropical storm warning and in 1997 after a technology transfer license cane Aidan* is located in the Gulf of Mexico where? Will Aidan reach category five agreement with NCAR was executed. Vais- with maximum sustained wind speeds of intensity or will the rapid intensification ala-NCAR Dropsondes provide the only 135 miles per hour (mph) (217 kilometers per stop shortly? direct profile measure of wind speed hour) and a minimum central pressure of Tropical cyclone watches and warn- and direction, pressure, temperature, 941 hectopascals. Aidan has been rapidly ings are coordinated through channels and humidity within the core of a hurri- intensifying all day. The storm was only a including federal, state, county, and local cane. These measurements are critical category one hurricane less than 24 hours authorities, television, cable, and radio for measuring its current intensity and ago with maximum sustained wind speeds outlets, the internet, and recorded tele- understanding the surrounding environ- of 90 mph (145 kilometers per hour). phone messages. Upon receipt of this ment that influences the development This is a critical shift for the hurricane information, emergency managers will and track of the storm. specialist. Hurricane Aidan is within 48 start making decisions on which coastal The strongest winds in a hurricane are hours of landfall somewhere in the north- areas to evacuate and provide emergency located within a ring of intense weather west Gulf of Mexico along the U.S. coast. It services. Hurricane specialists under- near the center of the storm known as the is currently an extremely dangerous cate- stand the financial impact of issuing a eyewall. The eye of the storm is located gory 4 storm with maximum sustained watch or warning for a metropolitan area in the center of a hurricane and may wind speeds of 135 mph (217 kilometers the size of Houston. contain little cloud cover and relatively per hour) on a scale of one to five on the calm winds. The minimum central pres- Saffir-Simpson Scale. A category five Into the eye of the storm sure of a hurricane is found in the eye hurricane has maximum sustained wind An Air Force WC-130J reconnaissance plane, and is another measure of storm intensity. speeds greater than 155 mph (249 kilome- better known as a hurricane hunter, has ters per hour). just finished flying through the center of Strongest winds at 500 meters Most numerical weather prediction the storm, launching three Vaisala-NCAR As the hurricane hunter flew in and around models used by NHC are projecting land- Dropwindsondes along the way. The first the center of the storm, it was taking contin- fall near Houston, Texas, the fourth largest dropwindsonde (or, simply, dropsonde) uous measurements of the wind at flight city in the U.S. However, two numerical was launched into the northeast eyewall level, approximately 10,000 feet (3,048 weather prediction models are projecting of Aidan, the second into the eye, and the meters). These measurements showed that landfall 300 km east of the Houston area. third into the southwest eyewall. The first the eastern eyewall of the storm contained The specialist needs to issue a hurri- dropsonde measured maximum sustained the highest sustained wind speeds. cane watch when hurricane conditions wind speeds near the surface of 145 mph In the late 1990s, hundreds of Vais- are expected on the coastline within 36 (233 kilometers per hour). The second drop- ala-NCAR Dropsondes were launched hours. The specialist is also responsible sonde, launched into the eye of the storm, into hurricanes. Scientists at NHC and for issuing tropical storm watches and measured a minimum central pressure the Hurricane Research Division (HRD) warnings. A tropical storm watch has of 930 hectopascals. The third dropsonde quickly confirmed that the strongest already been issued for a large portion of measured maximum sustained wind winds within a hurricane are not at the the U.S. coastline in the northwest Gulf speeds near the surface of 140 mph (225 surface, but at an altitude of approxi- of Mexico. A tropical storm warning is kilometers per hour). Aidan is continuing mately 500 meters (or 1,640 feet). Drop- issued when tropical storm conditions to rapidly intensify. Unfortunately, the next sonde measurements of wind speed from are expected on the coastline within 24 scheduled hurricane hunter will not be in 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) to the surface hours. However, there is a fairly strong the storm for another 12 hours. allowed forecasters to better understand outer rainband forming to the north of In the mid-1990s, the National Center the relationship between flight-level the center of Aidan. The specialist may for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), with winds and surface wind speeds. Since need to upgrade the tropical storm watch funding support from the National dropsondes only provide a single vertical to a warning during this shift. Science Foundation, the National profile of wind speeds near the surface, Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- specialists at NHC depend on continuous Decisions of great importance tion (NOAA), and the German Aerospace flight-level measurements of wind speed The hurricane specialist must answer Research Establishment (DLR) developed as hurricane hunters fly in and around the following questions during his shift. the first dropsondes that took advantage the center of the storm. Properly trans- Is Aidan going to make landfall near of the Global Positioning System (GPS) lating flight-level wind speeds to surface

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 5 Hurricane Guillermo Eyewall Dropsonde Trajectories substantially due to Vaisala-NCAR GPS 970803h1 Dropsonde (RD93) measurements in the GUILLERMO environment surrounding the hurricane.

(min.) (max.) Lightning activity reveals

Pitch= 1.3; 2.3 hurricane intensity

Roll= –2.5; 2.6 As the hurricane specialist waits for the next set of numerical weather prediction Track= 23.6; 25.2 model data, including the recent dropsonde Drift= –18.3; –10.6 measurements assimilated from the hurri- Tilt= 2.4; 3.3 cane environment, he notices some changes

Alt= 2574 m in the lightning activity within Aidan. The outer rainband to the north of the storm Slat= 13.90 N Slon= 112.54 W is now producing very high lightning rates. Rlat= 14.02 N Most of the lightning produced by a Rlon= 112.47 W hurricane occurs in the outer rainbands 234736 Z Lower Fuselage of the storm however not all outer rain- 120 × 120 km bands produce lightning. High lightning Hurricane Research Division rates within outer rainbands of a hurri- NOAA/AOML Miami, FL cane indicate strong convection that will Numbers indicate start and end times of drops allow strong winds above the ground to reach the surface in downdrafts. Vais- ala-NCAR Dropsonde measurements in Radar reflectivity image from aircraft showing the eyewall and eye of Hurricane Guillermo the outer rainbands of hurricanes have (1997). The eyewall is shown by the ring of stronger reflectivities (red and purple colors) shown that the highest winds are not surrounding the eye (blue and white colors). The paths of three Vaisala-NCAR dropsondes are at the surface, but also near 500 meters shown by the thick black lines. The hurricane hunter aircraft track is shown by the thin black line. The launch and end times show the horizontal path of the dropsondes as they rotated coun- (1,640 feet). Therefore, high lightning rates terclockwise around the center (eye) of the storm. Image: National Hurricane Center. in the outer rainband of a hurricane may indicate that stronger winds aloft may reach the surface. wind speeds is another critical way to wind speed estimates from the SFMR The hurricane specialist has also been monitor the storm. need to be calibrated using Vaisala- monitoring an abrupt increase in lightning The confirmation that the highest NCAR Dropsondes. Similar to flight-level activity in the eyewall of Aidan over the wind speeds in the eyewall of a hurricane wind measurements, SFMR provides past nine hours. This increase in eyewall occur above the surface is very important continuous estimates while the aircraft lightning activity has decreased consider- for emergency managers. If a hurricane is in the storm. Surface wind speeds are ably over the last three hours. is going to make landfall near a large critical to forecasters in gaining a better Research currently being performed city with numerous high rise buildings, understanding of storm development and at Vaisala and NHC has shown that people should not seek shelter on the current intensity. numerous hurricanes have produced an upper floors of those buildings. Hurri- At the same time as the Air Force hurri- abrupt increase in eyewall lightning near canes are actually a category stronger on cane hunter is flying through Aidan, a NOAA peak intensity after a rapid intensification the Saffir-Simpson scale on the 25th floor Gulfstream IV aircraft is flying at 40,000 period. This abrupt increase will usually of a high rise building than they are on feet (12,192 meters) and launching drop- cease after 6 – 9 hours. Rapid intensifica- the ground. Most of the damage caused sondes in the environment surrounding tion ends at about the time the lightning on the upper floors of high rise build- the hurricane. rate ceases in the eyewall. ings during hurricane landfalls is due to The Gulfstream IV aircraft launches The latest numerical weather predic- windows being blown out. dropsondes at a much higher altitude tion model results using the dropsonde As the hurricane hunter is returning than the Air Force hurricane hunter data from the environment outside of the to its base, it flies through a rainband and outside of the hurricane in order to hurricane have just come in. All models developing on the north side of Hurricane provide numerical weather prediction now have tracks that take the storm 300 Aidan. As it flies through the rainband, the models with the information they need km east of Houston during landfall. The Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiom- to improve forecasts. Vertical measure- numerical weather prediction models also eter (SFMR) is taking continuous remote ments of wind speed and direction, predict landfall in 36 hours due to an unex- measurements of surface wind speed and pressure, temperature, and humidity are pected increase in forward motion that measures surface wind speeds just under immediately sent to the National Center was not shown in previous model runs. It tropical storm strength. However, flight- for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and is time to issue the 23:00 EDT advisory for level wind speeds measured by the aircraft assimilated into NCEP and other numer- Hurricane Aidan. show sustained winds of moderate tropical ical weather prediction models. NCEP The hurricane specialist now needs to storm strength. is located in Camp Springs, Maryland process all of this information and come The SFMR estimates surface wind and provides worldwide forecast guid- up with the appropriate track and inten- speeds based on the state (or amount ance products. Research has shown that sity forecast. Let’s now go back to the of foam) of the ocean surface. Surface hurricane track forecasts have improved original list of questions the hurricane

6 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 specialist must answer in order to issue the 23:00 EDT advisory for Hurricane Aidan. Is Aidan going to make landfall near Houston? Vaisala-NCAR Dropsonde data collected in the environment surrounding Hurri- cane Aidan has provided critical infor- mation regarding expected landfall. It is going to be a close call, but the official forecast issued by the hurricane specialist will take the center of Aidan over land 300 km east of Houston. When should he issue a hurricane watch and where? Once again, Vaisala-NCAR Dropsonde data collected in the environment surrounding Hurricane Aidan has provided critical information on when and where to issue the hurricane watch. Eyewall lightning and maximum sustained wind speed time series for Hurricane Felix (2007). Eyewall lightning shown by the green and blue bars. Green bars represent raw lightning counts. Since the storm should increase its Blue bars represent lightning counts corrected for day/night detection efficiency changes. The red forward motion, the hurricane specialist line represents maximum sustained wind speeds within the storm. Notice the eyewall lightning issues a hurricane watch for areas east of burst early on 3 September 2007 as rapid intensification of Felix comes to an end. Houston indicating that hurricane condi- tions are possible at locations within the watch area within 36 hours. When should he issue a tropical storm warning? SFMR measurements showed surface wind speeds just under tropical storm strength in the outer rainband developing to the north of Hurricane Aidan. However, the hurricane specialist is concerned that stronger (tropical storm force) winds aloft in that rainband will reach the surface based on the observed high lightning rates within that band. This rainband is moving north at a moderate speed and could reach coastal areas within 24 hours. Therefore, the hurricane specialist issues a tropical storm warning for coastal areas in the path of this northern outer rain- band. A tropical storm warning means that sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph (63 and 118 kilometers per hour) are Improvement in Hurricane Rita (2005) track forecast due to assimilation of Vaisala-NCAR drop- expected to reach the coast in 24 hours sonde data in the environment outside of the hurricane into the NCEP Global Forecast System or less. (GFS) numerical weather prediction model. At the time of the forecast, Rita was located in the southeast Gulf of Mexico. The black line shows the actual path of Rita as it made landfall near Will Aidan reach category the Texas/Louisiana, U.S. coastline. The red line shows the forecast without dropsonde data. The five intensity or will the rapid green line shows the improved forecast after assimilation of dropsonde data. Image: National intensification stop shortly? Hurricane Center According to the Vaisala-NCAR Drop- interprets this lightning burst as a sign Further information: sondes launched into the eyewall of that the rapid intensification of Aidan www.vaisala.com/weather/applications/ Hurricane Aidan several hours ago, should end. Therefore, his forecast advi- severeweather/hurricanes Aidan was continuing to rapidly inten- sory states that the rapid intensification sify. However, over the last nine hours a of Aidan has likely ended and the storm * Hurricane Aidan is a fictitious hurricane burst of eyewall lightning has come and should not reach category five intensity name to illustrate actual mission critical gone. In the absence of direct aircraft during the next 12 hours. n actions at the National Hurricane measurements, the hurricane specialist Center, utilizing Vaisala products.

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 7 Jukka Kalliokoski Export Engineer Vaisala Building automation at its best Helsinki, Finland Vaisala technology supports state-of-the-art laboratory conditions

MIKES is the Centre for Metrology and HUMICAP technology in its state-of-the- Accreditation in Finland. It works to art facilities.® ensure that the measurements, tests and inspections carried out in Finland are Stability of ambient reliable and internationally comparable, conditions is vital and acts as the Finnish accreditation When MIKES moved into its new facilities service (FINAS) for laboratories, inspec- on October 1st, 2005, it marked the begin- tion and certification bodies, and for the ning of a new era for metrology in Finland. Eco Management and Audit Scheme The quality of the laboratories meets the (EMAS) verifiers. highest international standards. MIKES also maintains and develops For precision measurements, the the national measurement standards stability of ambient conditions such as system through research, and provides temperature and humidity is of utmost high-class calibrations and expert importance. Different principles have services in metrology. MIKES uses Vaisala been applied in MIKES’ new facilities to

8 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 Tapio Mansten from MIKES is an expert in intelligent building automation solutions.

The laboratories with the strictest resolution. These are the key elements temperature stability requirements are before being able to adjust and main- situated in the underground floors. They tain the conditions,” says Tapio Mansten must have a constant temperature, and Senior Research Scientist, Electricity, are based on the “room-within-a-room” Time and Frequency from MIKES. principle. Most of the laboratories are “To make sure this process runs 24 achieve very stable conditions, either constructed using the floor diffusion prin- hours a day with absolute accuracy, locally in small instrument cabinets, or ciple. One room in which the temperature we have constructed an independent in entire laboratories. The measurement can be set at 20+/- 5 °C has been built for humidity and temperature monitoring spots are sheltered from external inter- the study of the temperature dependence system from 87 Vaisala HUMICAP ference from the outside world, as well of devices and meters. Humidity and Temperature Probes® as from disturbances created in other The desired temperature and humidity HMP45A in the most critical locations laboratories. In addition to temperature in the building is generated in the tech- for verification, logging and alarm. These and humidity control, special attention nical space, where the fresh air is first measurements need to be in line with the has been paid to vibration control, elec- cooled down to 8.8 °C and the humidity building automation system,” Mansten tromagnetic shielding and electricity. is stabilized to 98% RH. The performance continues. ■ of the two air preconditioning machines Focus on air conditioning is controlled with three Vaisala HUMICAP Further information: About 30 % of the total area of the new facil- Humidity and Temperature Transmit®- www.vaisala.com/humidity ities is devoted to building maintenance ters HMT337. There is one transmitter technology, mainly the air conditioning per machine, and a third one in the duct equipment required for creating labora- for redundancy. This cool, moist air is tory conditions. There are 36 laboratories distributed to section-specific ventilation that are divided into 20 sections, each with systems as replacement air. Metrology is the science of its own dedicated air conditioning system “There are over two thousand other measurement, which includes used for temperature fine tuning. This humidity and temperature measure- the development of measurement means that the operations in one labora- ment points in the building control- standards and systems for abso- tory will not affect the operations of other ling the environment. We have reached lute and relative measurements. laboratories in different sections. remarkable measurement accuracy and

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 9 This artist's concept depicts NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander a moment before its 2008 touchdown on the arctic plains of Mars. Image: NASA/JPL-Calech/University of Arizona

The Delta II rocket with the Phoenix space- craft onboard lifts off. Image: NASA/Sandra Joseph and John Kechele

10 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 Jouni Polkko Senior Researcher Finnish Meteorological Institute Space Research Program Helsinki, Finland

Phoenix 2007 Lander on Mars Onboard pressure sensor based on Vaisala BAROCAP® technology

On May 25th, 2008, NASA’s Phoenix 2007 ice there may be a remnant of that sea. certain organic compounds necessary Lander successfully touched down on This conclusion is supported by observa- to life as we understand it are present. Mars’ northern polar region. The landing tions made by the Mars Odyssea orbiter’s However, Phoenix will not be carrying site is at 68 degrees north latitude, 233 gamma spectrometer instrument and out direct microbiological experiments degrees east longitude, in an area called other satellite data. The water ice content for detecting life. Scandia and Vastitatis Borealis Marginal. of near-surface material in the northern The landing site is above the Martian polar regions may even be over 50%. 3. To study the weather on Mars from the polar circle. The local season in Mars This subsurface ice may well be polar perspective is currently late spring-early summer. released over a period of millions of years The amount of water vapor in Mars’ Therefore the Lander is carrying out its as Mars experiences climate changes polar regions varies significantly from 90- to 150-day mission at a time of year due to its wobbling rotation axis. On a season to season. Winds carrying water with nightless nights. After the summer shorter time scale, subsurface ice may vapor can move water from place to place season, the approaching winter, and well “breathe” every day, every season, on the planet. Phoenix is monitoring decreasing daylight and available energy converting tiny amounts of frost to water temperature, pressure, winds, atmo- will mean that operations will have to vapor and back. In this way, the ice table spheric dust, ice particles and clouds. cease, and contact with the Lander will may slowly rise and recede as the climate These observations will help to increase be lost. changes. the understanding of atmospheric The Phoenix Lander carries a versatile dynamics and interaction between polar- suite of scientific instruments to analyze and mid-latitudes. The circulation of soil, observe local meteorology and take The Phoenix Lander carries volatiles (H2O, CO2) in the Martian atmo- macro and microscopic images of Mars. a versatile suite of scientific sphere is an important part of the puzzle The onboard meteorological instru- that is water and life on ancient Mars. ment includes a pressure sensor, based on instruments to analyze soil, Vaisala BAROCAP technology, for atmo- observe local meteorology Phoenix Lander and spheric barometric® pressure measure- experiments ment. This instrument was developed and take macro and The Lander’s diameter is 1.5 m and its by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. microscopic images of Mars. height is 2.2 m, when standing on its three landing legs. Its mass is 540 kg, including Phoenix science 2. To determine whether the arctic soil a 59-kg scientific payload. The Lander is The Phoenix mission has three scientific on Mars could support life powered by two solar arrays, measuring goals: Life as we know it requires liquid a total of 4.2 square meters and with a water, but it does not necessarily require span of 5.2 m when deployed around the 1. To study each phase of the history of the continuous presence of this water. Lander. The power peaks are balanced water at the landing site Phoenix is investigating the possi- by a lithium-ion battery, and telecom- Geological evidence suggests that bility that some of the ice in the soil of munication is provided by two UHF band liquid water once flowed on Mars the landing site will melt and become antennas. The Phoenix Lander does not and created rivers, lakes and seas. It is biologically available during the warmer communicate directly with Earth as assumed that northern lowlands were parts of long climate cycles. Phoenix is messages are relayed through the three once covered by sea and the subsurface also investigating the possibility that satellites currently orbiting Mars: Mars

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 11 Phoenix Mars Lander’s solar panel and robotic arm with a sample in the scoop. Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/university of Arizona.

Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is encountered (a dust devil, weather in case any problems were encountered and Mars Express. Data rates vary front, etc.), the two-second intervals are with the actual Flight Model prior to between 8 kb/s to 128 kb/s. restored. launch. The Phoenix Lander’s pressure sensor Pressure sensor instrument is already the fifth Vaisala BAROCAP pres- Surface Operations Center The Finnish Meteorological Institute sure sensor to be used on planetary ®space based in Tucson, Arizona developed the pressure sensor instru- missions. Three earlier attempts to get the Jouni Polkko and Henrik Kahanpää from ment for the Phoenix Lander. The pressure sensor on Mars failed because the Finnish Meteorological Institute pressure sensor is based on Vaisala of unsuccessful spacecraft launches or participated in the Phoenix landing event technology and components. It has landings (Mars-96, Mars Polar Lander and the first-week operations in Tucson, three BAROCAP pressure sensors, and -99, Beagle-2 -03). The Huygens Lander Arizona. The Lander was controlled by the a THERMOCAP ®temperature sensor for made a successful landing onto Saturn’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasa- internal temperature® monitoring. The moon, Titan, in 2005, and the onboard dena, California, during the interplan- instrument is built around the Vaisala BAROCAP recorded the pressure profile etary cruise phase and entry into Mars’ proprietary ASIC (Application Specific of Titan’s® atmosphere during the three atmosphere. After the landing, operations Integrated Circuit). hour landing. were taken over by the Arizona Univer- The pressure sensor is part of the The Finnish Meteorological Institute sity, which maintains the Phoenix Surface onboard Meteorological Station, which joined the Phoenix program in 2004. Operations Center in Tucson, Arizona. is operated by a computer. When energy Development of the Phoenix pressure This is the first time that a NASA space- and data link capacities allow, pressure sensor was based on experiences from craft has been operated outside of NASA. readings are taken every two seconds, earlier projects and on the specific The landing took place on Sunday together with mast temperature sensors. requirements of the Phoenix mission. afternoon on May 25th (Tucson local This data is then downlinked to Earth. Several prototypes were built and tested time). The time delay between Mars and When the Lander’s resources are being at the Finnish Meteorological Institute Earth was 15 minutes 20 seconds on the used by the other instruments, pres- before the final Flight Models were built. landing day, and everything occurs this sure and temperature data readings are Two “Flight Models” were built and tested. much earlier in Mars. Therefore, every- taken at 8-minute intervals. However, One was installed in the Phoenix Lander thing had to function correctly during if an interesting weather phenomenon and the other was a “Flight Spare” model, the last phases of approach and landing.

12 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 Everything was preprogrammed and had to succeed the first time, with no second try. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory relayed landing event sequence information to Tucson. When the Lander reached Mars’ atmosphere, hot plasma surrounded the Lander and connection was lost for five minutes. After this, infor- mation confirming parachute deployment was received, the heat shield was jettisoned and the retro rockets fired. Finally the Lander touched down. The landing had been perfect. After this, connection was shut down for two hours as the Lander deployed the solar panels and other deployables and recharged its batteries. When the connection returned, the first images were received showing the solar panels, which had been opened. At this point it was possible to announce that the landing had been a success and exploration of Mars’ polar region could begin. Phoenix Lander’s pressure sensor instrument. After the landing the operations crew have started to live by Martian time, as this is how the Lander operates in Mars. Each day on Mars, called “sol”, lasts 40 minutes longer than each day on Earth, so Mars’ time shifts forward Instruments onboard the Phoenix Lander by 40 minutes every day. The first scien- tific data, including meteorological data, The Phoenix payload includes several instruments, three of which are suites arrived on Monday afternoon on May of multiple tools. 26th. According to this data, the pressure • Robotic Arm for digging and handling samples. The arm is 2.35 meters instrument was working perfectly. Pres- long, and includes a camera for close-up images. sure at the landing site on Mars was about • Surface Stereo Imager for taking accurate stereo pictures of the landing 8.55 hPa, and during the following days, sites. The camera may also be tilted upwards in order to assess conditions the first dust devils had already been in the atmosphere (dust, water vapor, clouds). The camera has two 1 M observed by the pressure instrument. pixel CCD sensors. At the time of writing, the Phoenix • Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyzer with a mass spectrometer for operations are continuing as planned and analyzing soil samples and an oven for heating up the samples. the mission is closing its mid-point. The • Microscopy, Electrochemistry and Conductivity Analyzer with an optical first proof of subsurface permanent frost microscope, atomic force microscope and electrochemical sensors for has been found. Evidence of an ancient inspecting samples. The instrument adds water (from Earth) to the sea has also been discovered. The first samples in order to study soluble chemicals. analyses of the findings will continue over • Meteorological Station with a pressure sensor, three temperature sensors the next few months. on a 1.2-meter mast, wind sock and LIDAR to carry out experiments to Operations will continue as long as detect dust and ice particles above the Lander. the dimming sunlight provides enough power. Connection will be lost around November or December. Phoenix has not been designed to withstand the Martian polar winter. However, for curiosity’s sake, Further information: some attempts will be made to wake phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu the Lander up during the next Martian www.vaisala.com/barometricpressure summer. n

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 13 Marikka Nevamäki Editor in chief Vaisala Vaisala strengthens Helsinki, Finland its presence in India

Vaisala is strengthening its office network partner with its long-term local Indian by establishing a Liaison Office in New agents. Delhi, India. The office is located in the “Serving customers locally is one of the Regus Business Center, and is the first cornerstones of customer focus for us. Vaisala office in India. We have some well-established customer Vaisala’s business in India is headed relationships in India. With this improved Serving customers locally is by Mr. Sami Haga, Regional Manager. The presence we are able to serve existing New Delhi office will initially represent and new customers in the area even one of the cornerstones of Vaisala’s weather observations product better,” says Weather Sales and Marketing customer focus for Vaisala. offering. Vaisala will also continue to Director Matti Ervasti. n

14 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 Marikka Nevamäki Editor in chief Vaisala Helsinki, Finland

Not an ordinary holiday flight Light aircraft pilots visit Vaisala

A group of seven private aircraft pilots who are interested in operating a light my basic license that year, and did my visited Vaisala’s headquarters in Finland aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules training for the instrument rating in in summer 2008, and toured the factory (IFR) in Europe. A pilot who is rated for 1974/75.” floors to see where the most accurate IFR can keep a plane in controlled flight All pilots must have some meteoro- weather measurement instruments in solely on the data provided by his/her logical training as part of their quali- the world are developed. All arrived at instruments, even if that pilot cannot fication. Mr Bowles has an extensive the Helsinki Malmi airport in their own see anything out the cockpit windows. weather station at his house in Corsock, planes, most also accompanied by their One of the benefits of the IFR rating is Southwest Scotland. It measures wind, wives. Helsinki was one of the stops in the ability to fly through clouds, which barometric pressure, temperature, rain- their tour of Northern Europe – Norway, is otherwise not allowed. “This rather fall and sunshine. He also has a visibility Finland and Sweden. demanding flying qualification brought and present weather sensor, as well as a “We do a one-week tour every year to us all together, and the PPL/IR Europe laser ceilometer. Data collection is auto- different parts of Europe. We wanted to association was formed over ten years matic and it can be viewed remotely on visit Vaisala to explore weather equip- ago,” Mr Bowles explains. his personal website. “I also have a remote ment suitable for small airfields. I’m hill station recording wind, tempera- particularly interested in lightning ture and relative humidity. The data is detection equipment,” explains Anthony “My Vaisala equipment collected by a Vaisala weather station Bowles, one of the pilots. Mr Bowles owns has performed very and transmitted by radio modem back a Cirrus SR22 aircraft. It is a modern to Corsock, some 5 km away. One of the piston engine light aircraft, cruising at reliably over the years." displays has been developed especially about 170 kt at between 9,000 and 15,000 for me,” Mr Bowles explains. “My Vaisala feet, and with a range of about 1,000 nm. “I originally became involved in private equipment has performed very reliably flying in 1971 as a young lawyer involved over the years. I particularly like the open IFR rated pilots can fly in in the planning inquiry for extending connectivity of the software, which allows demanding conditions the runway at London Gatwick. I had an for modularity and easy integration.” All seven are members of the PPL/IR opportunity to fly in a light aircraft and Europe, an organization open to pilots decided to learn to fly myself. I obtained Real-time weather data needed throughout Europe The availability of real-time weather data for pilots of small planes is still a chal- lenge in Europe, according to the PPL/IR Europe team. “Icing is a real problem. We need to know where the moist clouds are, so we can avoid them. When you’re flying in challenging conditions, like we all do every now and then, you’re heavily depen- dent on technology. Reliable information about the surrounding conditions adds to your peace-of-mind. Common weather information throughout Europe would be most useful for us,” all seven agree. n

David Tucker, Stephen Niechcial, Mark Goodey, Anthony Bowles, Jim Thorpe, David Sowray and Paul Turner visited Vaisala to explore weather equipment suitable for small airfields.

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 15 A Micronet technician deploys a traffic light station on 8 May 2008. The Vaisala Weather Jeffrey B. Basara, Ph.D. Transmitter WXT510 is a key component of the Oklahoma City Micronet. Oklahoma Climatological Survey University of Oklahoma USA Atmospheric monitoring across Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City Micronet (OKCNET) 2007 (Fig. 1). The first site (OKCN) was provided by Oklahoma City officials. Okla- is a project designed to improve the installed in February 2007 on the campus homa City boasts the world’s largest wifi atmospheric monitoring across the Okla- of the Daily Oklahoman, approximately 7 mesh network (communications network homa City metropolitan area. The project miles north of the central business district. made up of radio nodes), and with the includes two main phases of implementa- In April 2007, two additional sites were assistance of Oklahoma City personnel, tion including (1) the deployment of three deployed including one on the campus of the traffic signal sites were designed to new Oklahoma Mesonet sites within Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma utilize the network of wireless access Oklahoma City and (2) the installation City, approximately 4 miles west of the points across the metropolitan area. of a dense network of sites mounted central business district (OKCW), and one Each traffic light station consists of on traffic signals. As of 1 June 2008 all approximately 4 miles east of the central a Vaisala Weather Transmitter WXT510 stations have been deployed. business district (OKCE) on Oklahoma sensor, a datalogger, an enclosure specifi- City municipal property. cally designed for the traffic signals, and Mesonet stations hardware to facilitate power and commu- As part of a joint effort between the Traffic signal stations nications across the OKC wifi network. OKCNET project and the Oklahoma The design, testing, and deployment of In December 2007, a working proto- Mesonet (Brock et al. 1995, McPherson stations mounted on traffic signals would type station was completed and installed et al. 2007), three new Mesonet sites were not be possible or successful without the at the intersection of two streets in the installed within Oklahoma City in early extensive assistance and collaboration central business district of Oklahoma

16 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 A mesonet is a network of auto- mated weather stations designed to observe mesoscale meteoro- logical phenomena (atmospheric phenomena having horizontal scales ranging from a few to several hundred kilometers).

Oklahoma City Micronet has already shed new insights regarding atmospheric processes across the metropolitan area. Figure 1. Locations of Oklahoma City Micronet stations. The window in the lower right corner of the graphic shows the locations of traffic signal stations within the central business district of Oklahoma City with respect to the primary building structures and streets.

Figure 2. An example of the Oklahoma City urban heat island at 11:00 Figure 3. An example of the Oklahoma City urban heat island at 10:28 UTC (6:00 am CDT) on 21 June 2008. UTC (5:28 am CDT) on 31 May 2008.

City. A series of tests were completed and agreement whereby a trained Oklahoma photos were collected. The deployment all subsequent approvals were acquired City technician operated the lift as a of each station spanned approximately from Oklahoma City officials. Given the Micronet technician installed each station. one hour, which allowed for multiple final approval from Oklahoma City, all Next, each site was secured to the stations to be deployed in a single day. remaining sites were fabricated during pole via stainless steel straps and the The compact design and functionality of the spring of 2008. station linked to an Oklahoma City wire- the WXT510 was critical to the success of The installation of the remaining 35 less access point via an Ethernet cable. the traffic signal stations deployed across traffic signal stations began in the central The link to the access point established Oklahoma City. business district of Oklahoma City and, both communications and the power by 30 May, all sites had been deployed needed to operate the station. Once New insights into across the metropolitan area (Fig. 1). The secured and connected, the technician atmospheric processes deployment of the traffic signal stations verified communications with Oklahoma The spatial and temporal density of obser- was accomplished via a truck rental Mesonet personnel and panoramic site vations collected by the Oklahoma City

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 17 Figure 4. The leading edge of an intense squall line with a bow echo as it propagates through Oklahoma City at 2:02 am CDT on 27 May 2008. Intense precipitation is highlighted as yellow/orange/red. In addition, Oklahoma City Micronet observations include wind barbs, air temperature (oF – upper left), dew point temperature (oF – lower left), precipita- tion since 0000 UTC (in – lower right), and maximum wind gust during the previous minute (mph – upper right).

Micronet has already shed new insights regarding atmospheric processes across the metropolitan area. For example, because the Micronet spans the gradient from quasi-rural to urban land use condi- tions, the Micronet has consistently detected an urban heat island as great Figure 5. Time series observations from KSW105 at 2:02 am CDT on 31 May 2008. The KSW105 as 11°F and associated gradient of air site is located approximately 1.2 miles southeast of the Oklahoma City central business district. temperature due to the varying surface conditions (Fig. 2). However, the air onset of precipitation and approximately key component of the Oklahoma City temperature gradient (and associated two minutes prior to the decrease in Micronet is rapid data collection of maximum/minimum values) is often air temperature that occurred during research quality observations. At each impacted by the magnitude and direction the event. Further, there was a slight traffic signal site atmospheric condi- of the near-surface wind conditions as decrease in station pressure as the gust tions are measured and transmitted shown in Figure 3, in which temperature front passed followed by a rapid increase every minute to a central facility 24/7. values in the northwest portion of the (approximately 2 mb) over the following Similarly, the observations at the Okla- Oklahoma City metropolitan area (down- two minutes. homa City Mesonet sites are collected stream of the urban core) were as much every 5 minutes and transmitted to a as 5°F warmer than locations upstream Enhanced observing central facility. All observations receive of the highly populated areas in southeast capabilities real-time and archived quality assur- (and southwest) Oklahoma City. With an average station spacing of ance prior to distribution or display. As The network has also captured the approximately 3 km, the Oklahoma City a result, approximately 600,000 research impacts of severe weather across Okla- Micronet observes atmospheric condi- quality observations are collected each homa City. Figure 4 shows Micronet tions across the metropolitan area at day across Oklahoma City. n observations as a severe thunderstorm fine spatial resolution. Additionally, a complex with a bow echo began prop- agating through the metropolitan area Further information: during the early morning hours on 27 okc.mesonet.org/ May 2008. Severe winds were observed www.vaisala.com/wxt520 along the leading edge of the gust front in advance of the heavy precipita- References tion including a gust to 65 mph at the Brock, F. V., K.C. Crawford, R. L. Elliott, G. W. Cuperus, S. J. Stadler, H. L. Johnson, and M.D. Eilts, Micronet site located at SE 15th St. and 1995, The Oklahoma Mesonet: a technical overview, J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 12, 5 – 19. Central Blvd. (KSW105). The time series McPherson, R. A., C. Fiebrich, K. C. Crawford, R. L. Elliott, J. R. Kilby, D. L. Grimsley, J. E. Martinez, J. B. Basara, B. G. Illston, D. A. Morris, K. A. Kloesel, S. J. Stadler, A. D. Melvin, A.J. data from KSW105 (Fig. 5) also confirm Sutherland, and H. Shrivastava, 2007, Statewide Monitoring of the Mesoscale Environment: that the strongest winds were observed A Technical Update on the Oklahoma Mesonet, J. of Atmos. and Oceanic Tech., 24, 301–321. approximately 6 minutes prior to the

18 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 Dan Donahue FAA Account Manager Vaisala Boston, MA USA Vaisala to deliver weather radar equipment to US Federal Aviation Administration

Vaisala has signed a 6.9 MUSD contract to an upgrade program for the TDWR strengthen our great partnership with with the US Federal Aviation Administra- radars. The primary mission of these this contract, which highlights the posi- tion (FAA) for the delivery of weather radar radars is the detection of a hazardous tion of Vaisala Sigmet product line as signal processors and software for the FAA wind shear phenomenon, known as a the global leader in weather radar signal Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) microburst, which is associated with processors and software,” says Martti network, operating at major airports in severe thunderstorms. Husu, Business Unit Manager for the the USA. The deliveries will start during “The FAA already has Vaisala’s auto- Vaisala Weather Radar. n the last quarter of 2008. mated weather observing systems, The FAA regulates and oversees civil lightning data, and runway visual Further information: aviation in the U.S. This contract is related range systems in use. We are happy to www.vaisala.com/sigmet

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 19 Veli-Matti Miettinen Sales Manager Vaisala Helsinki, Finland

Vessel Traffic Services enhance maritime traffic safety Local weather measurements important

In the past, maritime traffic monitoring vessel traffic monitoring and information has been carried out with a simple shore- system along the coasts of the member based radar and voice radio system states (Directive 2002/59/EC). Encour- with the aim of enhancing navigation aged by this legal framework, states in poor visibility in port areas and their worldwide are establishing VTS systems. approaches. There are various categories of VTS The Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) including coastal, port or harbor, and concept has since developed into a river services. The IMO Resolution A modern system using multiple sensors. 857(20) states that a port VTS is mainly Its objective is to enhance safety, improve concerned with vessel traffic to and from the efficiency of maritime traffic and to a port or harbor, while a coastal VTS is protect the marine environment. Author- mainly concerned with vessel traffic ities using the VTS have experienced passing through the area. A VTS could improvements in sea traffic efficiency and also be a combination of both types. safety, and a reduction in environmental Recently VTS systems have been built in pollution. The number of VTS has grown inland waters as well. considerably throughout the world. There are 500 VTS operational today. Functions of Vessel Over 160 sovereign states are members Traffic Services of the International Maritime Organi- The purpose of VTS is to improve mari- zation (IMO). IMO has set out several time safety and efficiency of navigation, conventions that are relevant to VTS. The safety of life at sea and the protection European Community has established a of the maritime environment and/or

20 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 adjacent shore areas, work sites and reliable information exchange and reduce valuable electronics inside the station offshore installations from the possible VTS operators’ workload. These messages and the user can count on a long life- adverse effects of marine traffic in a given are dedicated to specific applications, e.g. time with minimum maintenance for the area. exchanging meteo/hydro data. system. The service types that an authorized The MAWS410 combines Vaisala’s VTS can offer are information service, Vaisala has a long history proven sensor technology with the new traffic organization service and naviga- in VTS deliveries compact data logger design. All meteoro- tional assistance service. The informa- For decades, Vaisala has supplied logical, hydrological and oceanographical tion service maintains a traffic image weather solutions to a large number of sensors required in VTS installations can and allows interaction with traffic and VTS systems throughout the world. As easily be integrated to the station. It facili- response to developing traffic situa- the global market leader in professional tates the use of heated sensors, which tions. Traffic organization concerns the meteorology, Vaisala is the preferred means user benefits in terms of excellent forward planning of movements to main- weather solution supplier to many VTS data availability even in icy conditions. tain vessel safety and achieve efficiency. organizations and system integrators. Among other enhanced features the Essential and timely marine information Vaisala’s reference deliveries range MAWS410 offers intelligent data validation, is provided to vessels in the VTS area to from meteo/hydro sensors for naviga- extensive calculations and customer- assist the on-board decision-making tion aid and automatic weather stations specific message output options. process. Information about meteoro- for Port VTS systems to turnkey network PC-based Vaisala Maritime Observation logical and hydrological conditions is weather solutions for coastal VTS systems, Console software is available, providing included in these services. which consist of a large number of auto- flexible real-time data visualization and matic weather stations with sensors, archiving as well as visual observation Vessel Traffic Services’ telemetry, network data collection, augmentation to the universal FM-13 SHIP equipment management and visualization software, and IMMT-3 messages entered prior to Factors like traffic density, navigation installation and maintenance services. transmission. hazards, local climate, topography and The Vaisala Maritime Observation the extent of a VTS area set the require- New superior weather System MAWS410 is an excellent choice ments for VTS equipment. A VTS is typi- station MAWS410 for VTS for maritime applications, where reliable cally equipped with communications, VTS and maritime customers and rugged design, ease of radar system, Automatic Identification Vaisala has gained strong and extensive installation, low power System (AIS), Closed Circuit TV Cameras experience in maritime weather observa- consumption, automatic (CCTV), meteo/hydro equipment and/or tions through hundreds of demanding operation, interface with a VTS data system. customer projects in the harshest marine modern telecommunication For a VTS center it is essential to have environment. In addition to numerous options and long lifetime are access to meteorological/hydrological VTS installations, our maritime solu- required. n systems, which provide local information tions can be found for example at a vast relevant to the VTS area. If required by the number of ports and harbors, and on VTS authority, a VTS center must be able vessels and oil/gas platforms worldwide. to disseminate local meteo/hydro data to Vaisala has recently launched a their users and allied services. system for premium maritime Meteorological parameters that are weather observations - the typically measured include wind speed Vaisala Maritime Observation and direction, air temperature, relative System MAWS410. It is a superior auto- humidity and visibility. In some VTS areas, matic weather station that is most reli- hydrological parameters such as tidal able even in the most demanding weather level, current speed and direction are conditions. The hardware is especially required. Meteo/hydro data is obtained designed to withstand the wet, salty most accurately and reliably from sensors, freeze and thaw that are common in and some tables or databases are also different maritime applications. used. Meteo/hydro sensors transmit data The MAWS410 is unique for marine typically via a telecommunications link to applications due to the fact that it was VTS centers, where the data is presented designed in accordance with the interna- in graphical and/or numerical format for tionally respected standards for maritime the VTS operators. electrical instrumentation and naviga- VTS operators can use meteo/hydro tion systems. Its anti-corrosive design data for a real-time assessment of the and EMC characteristics are in compli- environmental situation in the VTS area ance with Lloyd’s Register Type Approval and provide data to ships to assist in System specifications and IEC60945 stan- assessing the waterway conditions. dard requirements. The system enclosure AIS equipment exchanges data from is of hastelloy/acid-proof stainless ship-to-ship and with shore-based AIS steel and its protection class is min. Vaisala Maritime Observation System base stations. AIS binary messages aim to IP66/NEMA4X. This ensures that MAWS410 is the ideal tool for premium reduce verbal communications, enhance corrosive sea conditions do not harm the maritime weather observations.

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 21 Frank B. DeFina Sales Engineer Vaisala Boston, USA Shanthi Bhushan Senior Embedded Software Engineer, Metocean Data Systems Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada Greg Connor Sales Manager, Metocean Data Systems Exploring the oceans Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

It has been said that the Earth’s oceans readings over time is very important,” given time. The more pressure readings are the last great unknown frontier. One says Shanthi Bhushan, Senior Embedded they have in the ocean, the more accurate company, Metocean Data Systems, has Software Engineer at Metocean. the mathematical models. Mr. Bhushan set out to measure them. Metocean has The PTB110 has the accuracy and explains how the versatility of the PTB110 selected the Vaisala BAROCAP Barometer stability that is expected in any industry. makes it a good choice for end-users: “The PTB110 compact pressure sensor® to assist In Metocean’s case, these variables are PTB110 barometer provides excellent in this task, as it offers excellent long- paramount. The buoys travel with ocean stability over time, and the temperature term stability and low power consump- currents and are deployed for 12 – 18 readings are highly reliable. It is easy to tion for its drifting buoys. months at a time. They are subjected to incorporate into Metocean’s electronics Metocean has responded to the temperature extremes and rough seas. and software as there are no calibration maturing drifting buoy market by intro- This type of application demands read- coefficients to be stored in the buoy elec- ducing a compact and low-cost drifting ings that are both accurate and stable. In tronics, and no complex math is required buoy known as the SVP (Surface Velocity addition, because of a finite battery life, to calculate the barometric pressure.” Program Drifter). Metocean produces low power consumption is a must. The over 400 spherical drifting buoys per year, PTB110, with an average power consump- Excellent service and and it has now teamed up with Vaisala to tion of less than 4 mA, and long-term high quality products meet its customers’ demanding pressure stability of ± .1 hPa/year, meets this “Vaisala is the industry standard for moni- measurement needs. challenge. toring various meteorological parame- Many of Metocean’s customers are ters. Excellent customer service and high Stability to endure from the scientific community, and quality products convinced Metocean to the rough seas therefore they require long-term, accu- choose Vaisala barometers for its drifting “Metocean features state-of-the-art elec- rate data for their studies. According to buoys,” says Mr. Bhushan. n tronics and embedded software in all of Greg Connor, Sales Manager at Metocean, its products. Barometric pressure is one one of the largest customers is the Data Further information: of the most important atmospheric vari- Buoy Cooperation Panel. This organiza- www.vaisala.com/barometricpressure ables. Therefore, the stability of the sensor tion maintains over 1250 SVP buoys at any

22 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 Marikka Nevamäki Editor in chief Vaisala Helsinki, Finland

"Teachers need support in finding new ways to teach science at schools, and tools to make science education stimulating and engaging."

Marikka Nevamäki from Vaisala instructs students on how to fill in Henrik Anttila is shown analyzing water their weather diaries with real meteorological symbols. samples taken from a lake by his team. Hands-on natural science

Teachers need support in finding new Vaisala participates in an international ways to teach science at schools, and science and education program for chil- tools to make science education stimu- dren called GLOBE - Global Learning and lating and engaging. Motivating children Observations to Benefit the Environment. to study science helps in inspiring a new The program was first launched in 1994. generation of scientists, and individuals The Globe program brings together who are able to understand and care for a worldwide community of primary their environment. So far, mankind has and secondary school students and not scored high points for acting respon- teachers, scientists, and citizens. They sibly and sustainably regarding the envi- are all working together to better under- ronment. New generations are entering a stand, sustain, and improve the Earth’s world where environmental matters are environment on the local, regional, and in focus more than ever before. global scales. The goal of the program is

178 / 2008 Vaisala News | 23 Teacher Timo Pakonen leads his group of students through some arid Finnish terrain. to promote the teaching and learning around the country and neighboring of science and enhance environmental Estonia got together to compete in the literacy and stewardship through active Globe Games, held near the city of Oulu. GLOBE program provides and fun hands-on participation. Teams competed through a series of the opportunity different tasks, all relating to environ- to learn by: Over 20,000 schools involved mental measurement and natural science. • Taking scientifically valid Globe is an interagency program funded Echo-soundings and water sample measurements in the fields of by the U.S. National Aeronautics and analysis were carried out at a lake, soil atmosphere, hydrology, soils, Space Administration (NASA) and the qualities were analyzed, and different and land cover/phenology National Science Foundation (NSF). It plants and insects identified. Weather • Reporting data through the is supported by the U.S. Department of observations were made on cloud forma- Internet State, and implemented through a coop- tion, wind conditions, temperature and • Publishing research projects erative agreement between NASA and the humidity. Teams tackled their tasks based on GLOBE data and University Corporation for Atmospheric enthusiastically, and made many new protocols Research (UCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. friends during the three-day event. “These • Creating maps and graphs on Colorado State University (CSU) is also a kinds of events are a great opportunity a free interactive website to key partner in Globe. for students and teachers to network analyze data sets Internationally, Globe is a partnership and learn while having fun and many • Collaborating with scientists between the United States and over 100 memorable experiences. It is wonderful and other GLOBE students countries, each of which manages and to have programs like this to spice up our around the world supports its unique national and regional teaching resources!” says teacher Markku program infrastructure and activities. Tossavainen. n Over 20,000 schools around the world are participating in the program. Further information: www.globe.gov Learning science through fun and games One of the most recent local-level Globe events was held in Central Finland in August 2008, when schoolchildren from

24 | Vaisala News 178 / 2008 additional temperature probe is also available enabling fast enabling available also is temperature probe additional maximum protection against liquid water, dust, An and dirt. with asintered protected Teflon is sensor the filter, giving harsh probe The environmentsstructure well. solid andis sensor, stability long-term provides which andwithstands ronment. The transmitterronment. The is ROHS EMC with the complies WMT The requirements standard. Marine60945 IEC the in IP66. transmitter’s The the EMC card fulfills interface new calibration required, is virtually andit maintenance-free. is upgrade of WMT the and directionspeed wind for horizontal measuring oped an is The WINDCAPVaisala Upgraded ultrasonic Vaisala sensorfrom wind equipmentloggers, andmonitoring. andlaboratory range for recorders, example, ofa wide instrumentation, data applications. in meteorological especially suitable It also for is HMP The HUMICAPVaisala temperature and New probe humidity Vaisala from The The The 155 is designed tomeasure humidity designed temperature, and is 155 WMT HMP 155 has anew-generation has Vaisala155 HUMICAP 52 housing withmounting kitclassified the as is 50. The sensor has no moving parts, no field field no parts, 50.moving no has sensor The ® Ultrasonic Wind WMT Sensor ® standard EN Humidity Temperature and Probe compliant. 61326-1; Industrial Envi- 52 devel 52 ® / 180R ESD 52 52 -

www.vaisala.com/wmt52 Further information: andagriculture.control, for meteorology,but also energy, wind transport, pollution kit. spike bird www.vaisala.com/hmp155 Further information: probe. on the of reduces risk forming condensation which the ambient level, continuously, humidity the it inside stays belowthe level warmed humidity is saturation. head sensor near the is As environments in where forreliable measuring designed that is temperatures. measurement response environmentsrapidly in with varying The The features WMT Optional the for The HMP WMT 155 incorporates a patented warmed probe option probe warmed patented a incorporates 155 52 is designed especially for marine applications for especially marine designed 52 is n n 178 /2008 52 include heating and a and heating 52 include Vaisala News

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Briefly noted Briefly noted 26

Emphasis on comprehensive weather measurement networks Emphasis comprehensive on weather measurement networks western corner of Spain, placed an order placed ofwith Vaisala Spain, corner western for authorities The in Galicia the situated- region, north in the solutionto Spain measurement Vaisala to deliver aweather measurement diversenetworks.and weather to Vaisala with increasingly them to provide comprehensive quality of forecasts. Vaisala’s customer looking global group is the on improving and increasingly data weather accurate U.S. Dollar U.S. (Source: billion years the over disasters 1980-2007 EUR weather exceeded For example, in USA the world. considerable over the and been all storms,has floods such as phenomena, severe impact financial weather of The |

Vaisala News Weather service providers areWeather onproviding focusing providers service Weather Disasters).

National Climatic Data Center, Billion National Data Climatic 178 /2008 alone, total the cost of most the serious 385 385 nance contract.nance a forecasting. includes solutionfive-year- mainte also The accuracy of area’sthe long-range and short-range weather noticeably improve the will andthis combined, to be sources tion from makes various it possible forcollected data the solu This system. stormsair sounding thunder upper an and year. every damage causeand manythey injuries and a great dealof property common storms are lightning Severe and very Atlantic Ocean. The region’scoastlineborders northern theand western precisely of kind this measurement diversenetwork. weather detects rain, a lightning detection network that detects network detects that detection lightning a rain, detects radar that weather a comprising measurement solution Vaisala Galicia the region provide with aweather will n - barometric pressurebarometric LAN areal-time appears alarm display. on the exceeded, New (W) two distinct trigger limits the measured are quantities. When With function this usercan set trigger the alarm limits for Vaisala humidity transmitters equipped with a built-in display. solution. from benefit this cables, of new installationor the holes, that of digging allowdo the not new applications network. Also, transmitter Ethernet existing an to a display alarm. Series Vaisala display and alarm (W)LAN prediction. weather for sible Forecast NWS Center, all and foreign responagencies - Offices, Prediction Storm the Prediction, Environmental for Centers National researchers,spheric the private meteorologists, in distributed real-time anduniversityis to government atmo- NGNPN in 1990 tion United sitesfor the States. of capabilityobserva installation high profiler air wind upper manufacturing, development, and year design, for process the ( National Weather Service tration ( contract National for the andAtmospheric- Oceanic Adminis Vaisala recently was awarded phasedevelopment asecond Generation Profiler Network Next NOAA Service Vaisala awarded II phase contract for National the Weather transmitterronment. The is ROHS EMC with the complies WXT The requirements standard. Marine60945 IEC the in IP66. transmitter’s The the card interface fulfills new RAINCAP in realall It maintenance-free onVaisala time. the based is rain rainfall, intensityit measures duration, accumulated and ture andrelative humidity instrument. in one -all pressure, barometric tempera precipitation, liquid direction, version of WXT the The Vaisala Weather Transmitter WXT Upgraded weather transmitter Vaisala from A new display now functionastandard alarm A new is feature in The (W) currentThe NOAA precipitationmeasurement WXT The in the The The option is also available for dewpoint, moisture available for and dewpoint, also in oil option is HMT upgrade will enhance the mission the enhance critical which data upgrade will WXT – NOAA HUMICAP ® 1992 operated continuously andhas since. The ever sensor. LAN upgraded330 with a(W) been has LAN 520 classified mountingkitas housing with the is ) Next Generation Profiler Next) Network Generation Profiler ( feature makeshumidity it easy a new to add ® 510. WXT The Humidity Temperature and Transmitter wind profiler networkdeployed first profiler was wind n standard EN ) is utilizing amulti-step, utilizing multi-) is NWS 520 measures wind speed and and speed 520 measures wind compliant. 61326-1; Industrial Envi- 520 is an upgraded520 is 520 is unique as as unique 520 is NGNPN option and and option EMC ). The ). The / ESD 520 520 - -

leader in remoteleader sensing of atmosphere. the Vaisala’s new www.vaisala.com/wxt520 Further information: needed. is data real-time weather where anywhere -almost harbors, marinas, courses, andhotels golf buildings, www.vaisala.com/weather/products/windprofilers Further information: in forMarch completion scheduled is 2009. government the for in Marcheffort design next phase 2008.of engineering The resolution. spatial andtemperature wind atmospheric time with excellent data real- near continuous, unattended provides and operate will velocity to an altitudeThe system of 16 ground kmlevel. above wind anddirection, speed andvertical of wind horizontal profiles vertical which Dopplerprovides a is radar windprofiler source. energy an as panels solar use surge protector. such abird heating, as, spike kit, aUSB With 165 Vaisala over installations worldwide, aworld is The of number A optional features are offered WXT for the Vaisala awarded also of was upgrade phaseone the project WXT consumption of the power The WXT 520 is suitable520 is stations, for weather networks, dense www.vaisala.com/hmt330 Further information: 178 /2008 connection, and a new new a and connection, 520 is very low; it can low; very 520 is Vaisala News

n 520, 520,

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Briefly noted Briefly noted 28

comprised ofcomprised of stocks publicly tradedworldwide companies is Cleantech Index The products andservices. for Cleantech demand toreflect surgingthe global market intended index cost, raisingcost, productivity while and/or product performance by value reducing thateconomic add products andservices manufacturing, andmore. air clean &water,rials, ecofriendly agriculture/nutrition, clean mate to advanced efficiency energy and energy alternative across abroad rangedeployment of sectors: industry from commercial and innovation that Cleantech in are leaders join its prestigious Index (CTIUS Cleantech Vaisala by Group( selected Cleantech the hasbeen Vaisala selected to elite Cleantech (CTIUS) Index Vaisala with its exhibitionown participated stand andalso record number - 340of participants - attended event. the Hydrology (ERAD fifth Conferenceand The European inRadar on Meteorology 2008 Vaisala ERAD at Dr. Moisseev Dmitri training conference on participants radar software. |

Vaisala News Cleantech products are defined as knowledge-based knowledge-based as are products defined Cleantech ) was held this year this in Helsinki, Finland.A held ) was

178 /2008 ). CTIUS TM is a stock is ), LLC to to - Cleantech ETF Cleantech Index, such ETF PowerShares the Cleantech and more. property,intellectual strategy, quality, management liquidity, ability, leadership, industry environmentalimpact, growth, justfor shortlisted selection -includingcriteria to profit be - Vaisala elite this now joins group that must 18 screening meet far,so and approximately of half are these US non- environment public health. and the reducing resource consumption and their negative impact on andareceptionvere, Vaisala at the Estonia, headquarters. Meteorological and Hydrological Institute) radar site in Sürga- hosted several such events, special asa visit to EMHI There are several investment that funds trackCleantech the Only globally have 76 companies qualified for the Index in Israel (KSMCTIUS ). n ( PZD ) and the KSM ) andthe ’s (Estonian based. based. n

ture DST Sensors for weather forecasting.for weather year. additional one for three option an years,with tion network of Bureau.duration the The is agreement of the an to agreement supply- upper forair radiosondes the observa Vaisala Australian andthe Bureau of have Meteorology signed Vaisala radiosondes to supply Australia GP Australian with real-timemeterorologists data. weather to Météo France’s andsoftware, computers F1 the providing The weekends. directlybe interfaced equipmentwill Vaisala l’Automobile)de supply for the of forecasts weather on race FIA the with contract exclusive Météo in are-installable France mode. world, the an has ters France assembly for the of four Vaisala Weather Transmit Vaisala’s office in contract a has signed Paris with Météo Vaisala takes in Formula 1 part Vaisala's upper air productsdata are crucial usedto provide firstThe set of usedwas equipment atAlbert Parkthe for WXT 510 andtwo Vaisala Tempera Surface Road Remote - 2008. 111 usedat Formula to be 1circuits over all

n (Fédération Internationale - equipment. Vaisala for customer existing an observation air is upper and networks world’sthe observation largest meteorological The The Australian Bureau one of operates of Meteorology

n 178 /2008 Vaisala News

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Briefly noted Briefly noted 30 moisture oil. in of measurement reliable continuous for solution economical MMT for Oil Vaisalathe HUMICAP Vaisala its moisture extended has product in oil range with New transmitter for moisture in oil measurement Professor Philip Krider honored at ILDC the Dr. Kridercongratulated EPhilip Dr. by University Atmospheric Headof Sciences, Dept Eric Betterton, Arizona. of |

21 Tucson in April on held Conference, Arizona Detection Philip Kriderexpert at 20th the International Lightning professor lightning renowned and sciences atmospheric to University tribute special paid around world the of Arizona from 150 scientistsandlightning atmospheric experts Over Vaisala News – 23. Vaisala organizer the is of bi-annual the event. 162. This new transmitternew 162. This offers and compact a

178 /2008 ® Moisture Temperature and Transmitter when necessary.when onlybe to purifiers started andoil dryers allowing function, usedfor moisture on-line be monitoring acontrol andas hydraulic transformers. and systems, Its can measurements and operated by Vaisala. year.across Unitednetwork the every States The is owned tors nearly the million cloud-to-ground25 lightning strikes Network, moni that system Detection the National Lightning Typical MMT the for applications Professor U.S. the Krider instrumentalin developing was n n 162 are lubrication systems, -

Contact the Vaisala the Contact News team www.vaisala.com/oxygen Watch on industrial an online movie oxygen measurement about Vaisala’s andlearn SPECTRACAP Online movie industrial on measurement oxygen

Thank you for your intrest. your for you Thank [email protected] to email an by sending please Vaisalateam the contact News offeedback changes and address, cancellations, For subscriptions, Marikka Nevamäki Editor-in-Chief 178 /2008 ® technology. Vaisala News

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