EAS 41700/B9025 Satellite Meteorology
Spring 2016
Instructor: Prof. Johnny Luo, MR-927, 212-650-8936, luo@sci.ccny.cuny.edu;
Time: M/W 9:30 -10:45; Location: MR044;
Grader: Ricardo Anderson, randerson2@ccny.cuny.edu
Office hours: after class or by appointment (212-650-8936)
Class website: http://www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/~luo/EAS417;
Description: Satellites have become an increasingly important tool for studying and
monitoring the Earth’s weather and climate. This class will introduce to the students a
vibrant, new branch of the Atmospheric Science – Satellite Meteorology. The following
subjects will be covered: 1) orbits of meteorological satellites, 2) instruments they carry, 3)
fundamentals of atmospheric radiation and remote sensing, 4) meteorological parameters
that can be retrieved from satellites, and 5) some selected applications. In addition, we will
learn how to use a programming language (e.g., Matlab) to display and analyze satellite
data.
Prerequisites: Math 203, Physics 207-208, or by permission of instructor. Programming
experience (e.g., Matlab) is highly desirable. (Note: this class needs quite some
quantitative skills in math/physics and computer programming).
Textbooks:
(Main text) Satellite Meteorology: An Introduction, by Stanley Q. Kidder and Thomas H.
Vonder Haar, Academic Press, 466pp
(Supplementary text) Remote Sensing of the Lower Atmosphere: An Introduction by G. L.
Stephens, Oxford Press, 523pp
Grading:
Homework
In-classtests
FinalProject
FinalExam
Undergrad
20%
30%
10%
40%
Graduate
20%
30%
20%
30%
Course Objectives:
1. Describe physical laws governing satellite orbits and list various orbits of the
meteorological satellites;
2. Understand fundamentals of atmospheric radiation and remote sensing;
3. Be able to interpret meteorological satellite images including visible, IR and microwave
images;
4. Understand satellite retrievals of meteorological parameters especially cloud parameters.
Course Outline:
(Note: weekly plan may be subject to small changes)
Dates
Feb 1
Feb 3
Feb 8
Feb 10
Feb 15
Feb 17
Feb 22
Feb 24
Feb 29
Mar 2
May 7
Mar 9
Mar 14
Mar 16
Mar 21
Mar 23
Mar 28
Mar 30
Apr 4
Apr 6
Apr 11
Apr 13
Apr 18
Apr 20
Apr 25, 27
May 2
May 4
May 9
May 11
May 16
May 18
TBD
EAS417 Topics
Introduction; pretest
History of Satellite Meteorology
Satellite orbits & navigation I
Satellite orbits & navigation II
No class (President’s Day)
Satellite orbits & navigation III
Satellite orbits & navigation IV
Atmospheric radiation: EM waves
Test 1
In-class lab 1
Atmospheric radiation: molecular absorption
Atmospheric radiation: dielectric materials
Atmospheric radiation: particle scattering
Remote Sensing: scattering & emission I
Remote Sensing: scattering & emission II
No class (Friday schedule)
Test 2
Remote Sensing: radar & lidar I
Remote Sensing: radar & lidar II
Guest Lecture
Meteorological satellites & instrumentation I
Meteorological satellites & instrumentation II
In-class lab 2
Test 3
No class (Spring Break)
Satellite image interpretation I
Satellite image interpretation II
Preparation for class project (In-class lab 3)
Student presentations I
Student presentations II
Student presentations III
FinalExam
Notes
Homework 1 posted
Homework 2 posted