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Category Archives: Meteorology
VLF Radio Astronomy
Flares such as the ones seen recently could become the norm soon, though, as our sun’s 11-year cycle of magnetic activity ramps up, scientists explained. The sun is just coming out of a lull, and scientists expect the next peak of activity in 2013. The current cycle, called Solar Cycle 24, began in 2008. Continue reading
Placing the 2011 Texas Drought in Perspective
As for the temperature of Texas, regular records were begun in 1895. A linear fit to the data available from NOAA show that the average annual temperature of the State increased a statistically insignificant 0.046 degree from 1895 to 2011, which includes last year’s drought. Continue reading
Posted in climate, Instrumentation, Meteorology
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Another Road
I was recently reading about Nick May and his transition from amateur scientists to entreprenuer when it dawned on me that my own humble story might be of interest. As I approach my 51st birthday, I look back on the road that I have taken. Continue reading
Making, Maintaining, and Using Serious Field Notes
But if you want to do serious natural science you have to keep good field notes. Continue reading
Sferics Detector
“Sferics” (also spelled “spherics”) is short for atmospherics and refers to the crackling static in a radio produced by lightning. This receiver is tuned to an unused portion of the LF band and provides enough sensitivity to detect lightning activity for hundreds or even thousands of miles. Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Radio, Electronics, Meteorology, Physics, Projects
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New Berkeley Study Confirms Global Warming
In what is perhaps the most comprehensive study yet of recent planetary climate trends, taking into account questions raised by some climate scientists, including amateur scientists. The Berkeley Earth study concluded that there has in fact been a rise in temperature globally of 1°C since the 1950s. Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Science, Breaking News, climate, Environment, Meteorology
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Getting Inside a Tropical Cyclone
“Tropical cyclone” is the technical term we use for very large, rotating storms with high winds, lots of rain, and accompanied by a storm surge. In the Atlantic ocean and Eastern Pacific, including Hawaii we call them hurricanes. Continue reading
Posted in climate, Education, Meteorology
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Improving the Presentation and Reliability of OMI Ozone Retrievals
Since 1990 I have been comparing my ground-based measurements of total ozone, total water vapor and aerosol optical depth (AOD) with a series of both NASA and NOAA space-based instruments. Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Science, climate, Environment, Meteorology
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Measuring the Water Vapor Column
A $20 infrared thermometer pointed at the cloud-free zenith sky can measure precipitable water vapor about as well as a sun photometer–and it can do so day or night. Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Science, Breaking News, Meteorology
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