Operations Updates
ARM Climate Research Facility Operations Update - June 15, 2007
This bimonthly report provides a brief summary of significant accomplishments and activities in the operations area of the ARM Climate Research Facility (ACRF).
CLASIC Hits the Dirt—and the Air—in Oklahoma
Dr. Jerry Elwood describes how the field campaigns in Oklahoma are contributing to the Department of Energy's climate research efforts.
On June 11, media and distinguished guests were invited to a media day in Ponca City, Oklahoma, to learn about the CLASIC and CHAPS field campaigns taking place in the region. In addition to the media, former Oklahoma State Senator Paul Muegge and current State Senator David Myers attended, as did Dr. Ken Crawford, the state climatologist for Oklahoma and "father of the Oklahoma Mesonet." The event began with an introduction from special guest Dr. Jerry Elwood, Director of DOE's Climate Change Research Division. His opening was followed by science overviews from Mark Miller, principal investigator for CLASIC, and Carl Berkowitz, principal investigator for CHAPS.
Seven eddy flux towers were added at the primary instrumented surface sites for CLASIC.
The event's morning activities were held at the Ponca City Airport, headquarters for mission planning and the primary field base for six of the nine participating aircraft during the campaigns. In the afternoon, attendees were invited to visit the ACRF Southern Great Plains site's Central Facility, about 45 minutes from Ponca City. They were treated to a guided tour of the various instruments and operations activities around the Central Facility, one of the primary surface sites for the "land" portion of CLASIC.
The weeks leading up the start of the campaign were a flurry of activity. Except for the Cessna 206, whose home base is in Ponca City, instrument integration, weight and balance, and test flights of the other aircraft were completed at their various bases of operations. Throughout the SGP site, scientists began arriving to install their instruments, additional carbon/eddy flux towers were set up, and university students were given training by ACRF operations personnel for the supplemental weather balloon launches that will occur during the campaign.
Senator Stevens (second from left) and Max Ahgeak (far left) of the Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation cut a red ribbon at the building's front door to commence the new science facility's opening ceremony.
ACRF Data on Display at New Climate Research Facility
On June 1, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) joined Max Ahgeak of the Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation to officially open the new Barrow Global Climate Change Research Facility in Alaska. The ACRF was represented by Mark Ivey, North Slope of Alaska site manager, and Jimmy Ivanoff, Chief Operator for the ACRF site in Barrow. As the ribbon was cut, Ivanoff released a ceremonial weather balloon to transmit data to the nearby ACRF instrument shelter. ACRF also provided public information materials along with a new data display developed just for the grand opening. More than 300 people gathered for the event, which culminated years of planning and construction on the $19.9 million, 20,000 square-foot science center, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The new ACRF wireless data display is surrounded by information materials at the opening ceremony. The wireless antenna is hidden above the ceiling tiles.
The ACRF developed and deployed the new wireless data display especially for the grand opening. Once communications and information-technology infrastructure are completed in the new center, a permanent ACRF data display will be located there for visitors and researchers. Plans are underway to package and deploy a similar display for each ACRF site data system.
