NASA/TM –2019-219038 Atmospheric Research 2018 Technical Highlights August 2019 On the Cover: Top left: Radar Observations Discover Unknown Structure of Coherent Turbulence in the Hurricane Boundary Layer These figures show the structure of turbulent filaments with the most intense eddies located at the inner edge of the outer eyewall. Measurements of this intense and dangerous layer are difficult to make and have relied heavily on instruments dropped from aircraft, which are not optimal for capturing the full structure. New analysis of IWRAP radar data provides a first look at coherent turbulence in the boundary layer of Hurricane Rita (2005). The structure of these coherent turbulent features is different than the prevailing understanding of boundary layer rolls, which transport high momentum air downwards towards the ocean surface. (Section 2.1.9) Top right: Antarctic HCL Decline This study takes advantage of Antarctic chemistry that converts all of the inorganic Cl species into HCl during a brief period each spring. The MLS HCl measurements during this period represent the sum of Cl compounds that can destroy O3. The ozone depletion calculated from MLS ozone data varies with changing chlorine levels (Cly) that were determined from MLS HCl measurements. We see that for constant values of N2O, HCl is really declining, and that can only happen because stratospheric chlorine loading is declining. (Section 2.3.1) Middle: Surface PM2.5 Fields & Ground Observations of San Joaquin Valley Traditionally, regional-level air quality in populated areas is assessed through chemical transport model (CTM) simulations, loosely constrained by observations from surface monitoring stations which typically provide limited coverage downwind of major pollution sources, or none at all. We examined the optimal application of this physical technique in the San Joaquin Valley. Surface PM2.5 concentration maps of the regional CTM output are illustrated in the left image, the combined satellite-based output of aerosol airmass-type maps from the MISR RA and total-column aerosol optical depth from the MISR RA and MAIAC are displayed in the center. The final right image shows the physically optimized (i.e., surface observations + satellite-based observations + model output) maps. The images show that the optimized concentration maps are spatially consistent with topography, typifying localized hotspots over known urban areas, and exhibiting realistic dispersion patterns. The optimized air quality estimation accuracy identifies and quantifies specific drivers of adverse, multi-pollutant health effects. (Section 2.2.9) Bottom: NASA’s Precipitation Imaging Processor (PIP) The unit consists of a halogen light source and a video camera that captures falling precipitation at 400 frames per second over an area of 64 mm × 48 mm (640 × 480 pixels) with 0.1 mm resolution (Courtesy of Kwonil Kim, Kyungpook National University). NASA deployed its PIP in support of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The PIP is a Wallops-built instrument that uses high resolution video to capture falling snow. One of the unique abilities of this instrument/software package is its ability to estimate the effective density of snow, based on the observed fall speed of the snowflakes. Density is needed to retrieve the liquid water content of the falling snowflakes and hence water flux, which is critical to closing the hydrological cycle. (Section 2.4.2) Notice for Copyright Information: This manuscript is a work of the United States Government authored as part of the official duties of employee(s) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. No copyright is claimed by the United States under Title 17, U.S. Code. All other rights are reserved by the United States Government. Any publisher accepting this manuscript for publication acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license to prepare derivative works, publish, or reproduce this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes. Trade names and trademarks are used in this report for identification only. Their usage does not constitute an official endorsement, either expressed or implied, by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Level of Review: This material has been technically reviewed by technical management. 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National Aeronautics and Space Administration Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 Dear Reader, Welcome to the 2018 Atmospheric Research Highlights report, summarizing Earth atmospheric science and communication/outreach accomplishments from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). As in previous years, this report is intended for a broad audience, including colleagues within NASA, scientists outside the Agency, science graduate students, and members of the public. Organizationally, the report covers research activities under the Office of Deputy Director for Atmospheres (610AT), which is within Earth Sciences Division (610) in the Sciences and Exploration Directorate (600). Laboratories and office within 610AT include: Mesoscale Atmospheric Processes Laboratory (612), Climate and Radiation Laboratory (613), Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory (614), and the Wallops Field Support Office (610.W). As of this writing, 610AT personnel are 59 civil servants and 251 cooperative agreement or contractor scientific and technical staff. While the report provides a comprehensive summary of 610AT 2018 activities, I’m happy to highlight a few items here. Satellite Observations: The first Earth cloud observing CubeSat, IceCube, acquired 16 months of cloud data at orbital altitudes of 200-400 km before its reentry to the atmosphere on October 3, 2018. On September 29, 2018, four days before its reentry, IceCube was able to capture cloud features from Typhoon Trami at an orbital altitude of ~200 km. The IceCube calibrated radiances produced the first 883-GHz cloud ice map, which shows consistent amplitudes with the cloud ice observed during the same period by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) at 240 and 640 GHz. 610AT personnel were involved in numerous other satellite efforts. Satellite missions of special note include the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, entering its fourth year in orbit, Deep Space Climate Observatory/Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (DSCOVR/EPIC) completing its third year in orbit, and the venerable Earth Observing System (EOS) missions Terra, Aqua and Aura that have provided almost two decades of science observations (19 years for Terra). Meanwhile Suomi NPP, with an instrument suite designed to provide continuity with many of the EOS data records, celebrated its seventh anniversary in 2018. 610AT scientists developed