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Wallops severe storms measurement capabilitySome of the instrumentation system used in support of NASA'S Storm Hazards Program are described. These systems include the Radar Atmospheric Research Facility (RARF) with its Space Range Radar and a near real time display from the National Weather Service WSR-57 radar, a lightning detection and ranging system (LDAR), and a Ryan Stormscope. The RARF system can detect, track, and quantify the properties of severe storms. Simultaneous measurements in the UHF (70 cm), S (10 cm), and C (5 cm) bands can be made of clouds and precipitation to deduce particle size and characteristics, including quantitive cross sections of individual hailstones and raindrops. Relative attenuation at these wavelenghts can be used to calculate path integrated rainfall and water content. The track of an instrument aircraft can be displayed on S-band reflectivity map of the individual storm cells. The LDAR system can determine the location of lightning discharges in real time and measure and record the electric field waveform for further study. The Ryan Stormscope can detect and range lightning out to 320 kilometers.
Document ID
19810010523
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Carr, R. E.
(NASA Wallops Flight Center Wallops Island, VA, United States)
Gerlach, J. C.
(NASA Wallops Flight Center Wallops Island, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Langley Research Center The 1980 Aircraft Safety and Operating Probl., Pt. 1
Subject Category
Air Transportation And Safety
Accession Number
81N19049
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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