26.05.2014 : FB1-Seminar

11:00 h, Hörsaal, Düsternbrooker Weg 20

Abstract:

The radio occultation (RO) technique uses GPS signals received aboard low Earth orbiting satellites for atmospheric limb sounding. Refractivity and temperature profiles are derived with high vertical resolution. Several satellite missions provide occultation measurements continuously since more than one decade: CHAMP (2001-2008), GRACE (since 2006), FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (since 2006), Metop (since 2006), and TerraSAR-X/Tandem-X (since 2007).

Due to its long-term stability, all-weather capability and global coverage the GPS RO technique offers the possibility for global monitoring of the temperature structure in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) region. GPS RO data are assimilated in numerical weather prediction models and recent studies have demonstrated that RO data are favourable for the establishment of a climate benchmark record in the UTLS.

In this presentation basic information about the RO technique and applications of RO data in atmospheric and climate studies is given highlighting (1) tropopause and UTLS temperature variability over the last decade, (2) global lower stratospheric gravity wave activity, and (3) tropopause inversion layer characteristics. Finally, an outlook to future RO satellite missions and GPS-based applications will be presented.

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