CONFIDENT - Met Norway’s plan for a new quality control system

<p>The meteorological observation networks are in rapid change. Among other trends, these changes include: increased frequency in observations, increased spatial resolution of observations, and increased heterogeneity in observation platforms. These changes challenge the current data storage and quality control. MET Norway has implemented a new data storage, ODA, to be able to receive a significant amount more data. </p><p>A significant challenge is that the current quality system doesn’t scale to the new world of observations. The current quality control system is not built to be modular, thus requires significant work to integrate improvements.</p><p>MET Norway is rising to the challenge of the new observation structure and storage renewing the handling of observational networks and the quality control system. Previously there have been strict criteria on how MET Norway should handle data from an observational station, this is changing with the emergence of new, cheap observational platforms. To accommodate this we are structuring the handling of the station in a hierarchical system where some stations will have fully populated metadata and be treated at the highest level, whilst others will have less information down to unknown stations with unknown setup, e.g. Netatmo.</p><p>The new quality control system will be modular to ensure the ability to change and upgrade different parts. One major module of the system is an in-house developed library for spatial quality control, Titan (presented at EMS 2019).</p><p>Unlike the present quality control, which is a separate entity to the data storage, CONFIDENT will be built to use ODA as data storage to ensure the best information is available for users and CONFIDENT at all times. We are also working on how we can integrate other software performing quality control of the data, e.g. for assimilation.</p><p>The project is planned to start in the autumn of 2021 for three years. Spring of 2021 was used to map relevant activities and modules as the foundation of the planned development of the new system. The plan is not to change the current quality system in one go, but to start implementing the different modules in 2022, and phasing out the current system throughout the project period of three years.</p>

An Observational Study of Macroscopic and Microphysical Characteristics of Clouds and Precipitation on Mount Lu, Jiangxi, China

<p>The Mount Lu (Lushan) observational station of cloud and fog in Jiujiang, China was restarted in 2015. The observational experiment of clouds/fog and precipitation was conducted from 2015 to 2018 in Mount Lu station. The observation dataset of clouds/fog on the Mount Lu were collected and established. The observational characteristics of clouds and precipitation were investigated from November 2015 to February 2018, including microphysics properties of clouds/fog and precipitation of 15 months in cold and warm seasons. The statistical results suggested that the heavy precipitation on the Mount Lu was frequent in summer with the maximal daily precipitation exceeding 100 mm. The maximal number of clouds and fogs days reached 25 days per month, with the lowest visibility about 20m. Due to radiative effect of clouds and fog in the (early) morning, the lowest temperature in the diurnal variation of temperature happened at about 9 o’clock, right before the dissipation of clouds and fog. Based on the analysis of radar data, stratiform precipitation, stratocumulus and convective precipitation in the autumn and winter respectively accounted for 29%, 44% and 27% of the total precipitation, and convective and stratocumulus precipitation in the spring and summer respectively accounted for 83% and 17% of the total precipitation. Compared with precipitation in urban areas, the small and medium raindrops were predominant in the precipitation processes on Mount Lu. Compared with fog in urban areas, the clouds and fog were characterized by smaller number concentration, the more significant bimodal and wider spectra. With the increase of precipitation within cloud, the more raindrops in number and larger raindrops in size were easier to initiate the coagulation mechanism, resulting in reduction of cloud droplets smaller than 11μm and larger than 30 μm. As a result, the peak at 11μm became more obvious. During the snowfall periods, the small cloud droplets were abundant, and the solid precipitation growth consumed large freezing cloud droplets through the rimming process.</p>

Requirements for the location of the observing station for monitoring the deformation processes under the influence of modern geodynamic movements

The article spots the problems of choosing the location of the observation station for monitoring deformation processes under the influence of modern geodynamic movements. The object of research is the modern geodynamic movements observed in the rock mass. The purpose of the work is to determine the parameters of the observational station location relative to tectonic faults, which are a zone of concentration of geodynamic movements. The work spots the requirements for the observation station, necessary for the effective monitoring of deformation processes occurring under the influence of modern geodynamic movements. Based on the knowledge of the parameters of modern geodynamic movements, as well as their localization at the boundaries of secondary structural blocks, recommendations are given and substantiated for organization an observation station, the purpose of which is to timely record the action of geodynamic movements in a rock mass. The characteristic of the observation station and its constituent elements is given. Research methods: analysis of Russian’s and international researches of the parameters of geodynamic events proceeded in the rock. As a result, recommendations were made on the location of an observational station used in monitoring deformation processes under the influence of modern geodynamic movements.

First stellar occultation by the Galilean moon Europa and upcoming events between 2019 and 2021

Context. Bright stellar positions are now known with an uncertainty below 1 mas thanks to Gaia DR2. Between 2019–2020, the Galactic plane will be the background of Jupiter. The dense stellar background will lead to an increase in the number of occultations, while the Gaia DR2 catalogue will reduce the prediction uncertainties for the shadow path. Aims. We observed a stellar occultation by the Galilean moon Europa (J2) and propose a campaign for observing stellar occultations for all Galilean moons. Methods. During a predicted period of time, we measured the light flux of the occulted star and the object to determine the time when the flux dropped with respect to one or more reference stars, and the time that it rose again for each observational station. The chords obtained from these observations allowed us to determine apparent sizes, oblatness, and positions with kilometre accuracy. Results. We present results obtained from the first stellar occultation by the Galilean moon Europa observed on 2017 March 31. The apparent fitted ellipse presents an equivalent radius of 1561.2 ± 3.6 km and oblatenesses 0.0010 ± 0.0028. A very precise Europa position was determined with an uncertainty of 0.8 mas. We also present prospects for a campaign to observe the future events that will occur between 2019 and 2021 for all Galilean moons. Conclusions. Stellar occultation is a suitable technique for obtaining physical parameters and highly accurate positions of bright satellites close to their primary. A number of successful events can render the 3D shapes of the Galilean moons with high accuracy. We encourage the observational community (amateurs included) to observe the future predicted events.

The first results of meteor phenomena observations using automated video-spectral meteor patrol of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University

In 2018, an observation complex (automatic video-spectral meteor patrol (AVSMP)) was designed and constructed at the Institute of Astronomy, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, for obtaining kinematic and physical characteristics of meteor bodies and their spectra. Cameras were tested in astronomical observations mode with the aim to identify the technical capabilities of the device. This paper presents some of the first results of observations conducted with the help of AVSMP. The created observation complex is intended to expand the material, scientific, as well as educational and scientific base of the Institute of Astronomy. It will be used in the educational process at the Department of Astronomy and Space Informatics of V.N. Karazin KhNU, during practical and laboratory classes, performing bachelor’s and master’s works and developing the newest methods of remote sensing of astronomical objects of the Solar system. In August 2019, the first baseline observations of Perseid’s meteor shower were conducted using AVSMP. At Chuguev observational station of the Institute of Astronomy, where the complex is located, 225 video fragments with meteors in integral light and 98 videos with spectra of meteors were recorded. In Kharkiv, 132 video fragments with meteors in integral light were recorded by the secondary video camera. Of the obtained observation footage, 98 meteors recorded in the integral light are basic, and another 40 video fragments with spectra of meteors have corresponding basic observations in the integral light.

PRIMARY AQUATIC PRODUCTIVITY OF FISHPOND IN PALM OIL PLANTATION IN GUNUNG MELATI VILLAGE BATU AMPAR SUBDISTRICT TANAH LAUT REGENCY

This research attempted to find out the level of primary aquatic productivity of fishpond in palm oil plantation in Gunung Melati Village Batu Ampar Subdistrict Tanah Laut Regency and to find out the quality of water based on the abundance of plankton. The measurement of the primary productivity used combination of two oxygen methods, withdrawal of sample of water, and plankton analysis. The result of the measurement was tabulated in form of table and described in form of graphic so that the difference in every observational station would be seen. Data analysis of primary productivity used oxygen measuring methods; those were dark bottle and clear bottle methods. The classification used for fertility level was according to Purnomo, et al, 1993.Result of the measurement showed that station 1 and station 2 had fertility level that belonged to trophic oligotrophic level (less fertile). Index value of plankton diversity t in station 1 and station 2 were ranked not extremely low and belonged to minor contaminated category.

Observational Facilities of Sternberg Astronomical Institute for Ground-Based Photometric Study of Newly Identified GAIA Objects, — CV-candidates.

The extended observational program for study of cataclysmic variables is realized in Sternberg Astronomical Institute during the last years. A few telescopes of Crimean Observational Station equipped with a different devices, — UBV photometer and two CCD camera, are used for observations. Among the close binary systems (CBS), cataclysmic variables are the most interesting objects because of the outburst activity and variety of their observational features. They could serve a good laboratory for study of physical processes in CBS. GAIA provides astronomers with a new ample opportunity for investigation of cataclysmic variables. Though the relative faintness of detected objects it is still possible to carry out a high accuracy ground-based observations with our equipment. Obtained ground-based data permit us to confirm classification of detected CV-candidates, to determine the physical characteristics with a sample of new cods and improve the current understanding of their nature.

On the Remapping Procedure of Daily Precipitation Statistics and Indices Used in Regional Climate Model Evaluation

Gridded estimates of precipitation using both satellite and observational station data are regularly used as reference products in the evaluation of basic climate fields and derived indices as simulated by regional climate models (RCMs) over the current period. One of the issues encountered in RCM evaluation is the fact that RCMs and reference fields are usually on different grids and often at different horizontal resolutions. A proper RCM evaluation requires remapping on a common grid. For the climate indices or other derived fields, the remapping can be done in two ways: either as a first-step operation on the original field with the derived index computed on the final/common grid in a second step, or to compute first the climate index on the original grid before remapping or regridding it as a last-step operation on the final/common grid. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how the two approaches affect the final field, thus contributing to one of the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) in Africa (CORDEX-Africa) goals of providing a benchmark framework for RCM evaluation over the West Africa monsoon area, using several daily precipitation indices. The results indicate the advantage of using the last-step remapping procedure, regardless of the mathematical method chosen for the remapping, in order to minimize errors in the indices under evaluation.