JAM
10/12/11
DYNAMO ProjectField Phase Interim Progress Report12 October 2011
(Download the PDF version) |
The purpose
of this report is to provide EOL staff with a sense of
the efforts now underway in the DYNAMO Project. The project
officially began on 1 October but it really began in
late August and September with the set-up of major
facilities, the initial cruise of the research ship with
ISS aboard and the dry runs of specialized model
forecasts and products. We
are now in the Intensive Observing Period that lasts
until 15 January 2012.
Some facilities will continue observations
through the end of March 2012. |
S-PolKa on site and operational on Addu Atoll, Maldives during DYNAMO |
RSF and Texas A&M Research Doppler Radar SupportThe S-PolKa radar is deployed and operational on the Addu Atoll in the southern Maldives Islands. Shipment began back in late June with arrival in July and on site set-up beginning in early August. The RSF Facility is fully committed to supporting the radar through the nearly 6-month deployment (including set-up and tear down) in the Maldives. Scientist, engineering and technician support are provided and the radar is operational 24/7 to meet the science objectives of the project. The Texas A&M
Smart-R radar is set up at the so called ÒSpit SiteÕ
which is exactly a spit of land (actually crush coral
rock and sand) jutting out into the Addu atoll. It is
located about 2 km north of S-PolKa. The SMART-R
will be operated 24/7 for 6 months to collect radar
data throughout the full project deployment period
from 1 October 2011 through 31 March 2012. |
Texas A&M SMART-R radar on site and operational on Addu Atoll, Maldives |
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ISF Integrated Sounding Systems SupportThere are two ISF integrated Sounding Systems (ISS) systems deployed for DYNAMO. One system is aboard the R/V Roger Revelle that began operations in September 2011 and will continue until early February 2012. Another ISS is on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Both locations are taking 8 sounding per day from 1 October 2011 through 15 January 2012 and providing continuous atmospheric profiling through their respective deployment periods. The ISF Facility has staff fully engaged in manning these two sites over the long deployment period.The first cruise of the Revelle began in August from Darwin Australia via Cocos Islands an on to the DYNAMO area near the equator and 80E. The ship has made a port call to Phuket, Thailand and is now headed back to the equator. Seas have been a bit rough making sounding launches challenging. Seas are now calmer near the equator. |
Sounding launch from R/V Revelle in Indian Ocean during DYNAMO |
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ISS site on Diego Garcia for DYNAMO Project |
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DYNAMO/AMIE Opening Ceremony, Gan Airport Fire Station |
Ceremonial (actual 0600 UTC sounding) balloon release during DYNAMO/AMIE Opening Ceremony |
There were a number of education and outreach activities during the start-up period of the project to engage and inform the local citizens, teachers and students about the project. Visits were made to local schools to conduct a workshop with science teachers. Information about the project was distributed at various locations on Addu atoll. Visits were made to two different schools presenting information to students about the project and weather and climate in general. This involved FPS, NSF and TAMU personnel. Footage in and around all of the facilities plus taped interviews |
Science Teachers on Addu Atoll during DYNAMO presentation |
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ARM/AMIE Project AMF-2 Facility at Gan Airport on Addu Atoll, Maldives |
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There are always new challenges and opportunities on these field projects. DYNAMO is no exception. This results in important observations and advice that will serve subsequent participants well to keep in mind as they deploy to Addu Atoll. Consider the
following words of advice/encouragement/caution: ÒGerman nightÓ at the restaurant on the Equator in the tropics may not mean the same is in your favorite Stuttgart Pub. The macaroni and cheese and sauerkraut may be the only familiar items ÒAsian nightÓ at the hotel restaurant could
only be called that because Chidong Zhang was in
attendance. If the color of the water in the sink is the same color as the water in the toilet before- or after- your flush, it best NOT to drink the tap water The term Ôrental carÕ on Addu Atoll should
not be confused with ÔHertz or Avis rental carÕ at
home. There was recent very sad news about the passing of Steven Jobs. This means that the maddening incompatibility of Dhiraagu 3G modems and Mac computers will continue unabated for the foreseeable future. More to comeÉ |