IntroductionMetr280: Independent Study on

Satellite Meteorology/Climatology

Professor Menglin Jin

After this class, you should have in-depth understanding on

Physical principles behind the remote sensing of atmosphere, land, and ocean properties from

Satellite orbits and repeat coverage required for global observations

Fundamental concepts and terminology of radiative transferAtmospheric absorption and transmission characteristicsRadiance & irradianceScattering phase functionOptical thicknessSingle and multiple scattering

Familiar the recent NASA satellite observations, in particular, land and atmosphere be able to access, analyze, and visualize the data be able to identify important research topics,

and capable to find approach to work on the topic

Be able to use GRADS, IDL/MATLAB to plot data

GOAL of this class

Focus on Good Understanding of

• How to measure land surface properties:Skin TemperatureAlbedo

Land Cover Vegetation (LAI, NDVI)

Clouds (for land-atmosphere interactions)AerosolsWater Vapor

To become expertise on

• Using IDL and Grads Computer Program to Analyze EOS MODIS Observations

Frequently visit Useful NASA’s web site, at ...

http://earthobservatory. nasa.gov

Class Project

• An independent study with the professor by each student

• Focus: Land Surface» Land surface climatology» Land surface-atmosphere interaction

• Data: NASA EOS MODIS, TRMM

• Identify research topic by Feb. 15, 2009

Text Book and Critical References

• Books: Satellite Meteoroology –by Stanley Kidder

and Thomas H. V. Haar (SM)Our Changing Planet – Michael D. King

(MD)• References

• Assigned ppt• Critical papers• websites

Grading and Exams:

• 280 (graduate indepent Study)

Test/Final Exam 30%

Lab/homework assignments 30%

Lit. review/poster 10%

Research Project 30%

Computer

• Vortex.met.sjsu.edu

Ask for an account – send me your longin name

Access satellite data, sample GRADS/IDL scripts, papers there