Radiation and Remote Sensing

Understanding how changes in the environment are affected by changes in weather variables such as clouds, aerosols, water vapor and surface properties are of particular interest to the Department. These relationships are studied using a complement of observations and theoretical modeling.

Radiation and remote sensing research in the department and related groups spans a variety of activities in three broad areas:

Design and fabrication of satellite, aircraft, and ground based instruments. Scientists in the department and their collaborators at the University and elsewhere are particularly active in developing new instruments for remotes sensing our environment.
Development of algorithms to analyze the remote sensing data. Methods of analyzing remote sensing data are developed and provide important insights into weather, climate, and our global environment. To explore our environment we use measurements made from current, past, and future satellite platforms. In addition to satellite observations, we make extensive use of ground and aircraft based measurements to improve our understanding of the atmosphere.
Improvement of radiative transfer models. Interpreting remote sensing data requires accurate radiative transfer models. Particular emphasis has been on improving radiative transfer in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Faculty

Steve Ackerman, Ralf Bennartz, Andrew Heidinger, Jeffrey Key, Tristan L'Ecuyer, Grant Petty, Dave Turner

Research Group Homepages

Lidar Group
Satellite Microwave Remote Sensing Group

Ongoing Research

High-spectral resolution Interferometer Sounder (HIS)
Scanning-HIS (SHIS)
Atmospheric Emitted Radiation Interferometer (AERI)
High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL)
Volume Imaging Lidar (VIL)

Affilated Organizations

Space Science and Engineering Center
Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies