IPRC News 2008
IPRC Acquires Magic Planet Projection System
December 2008
With the support of UH School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) and a generous gift from former IPRC Executive Associate Director Lorenz Magaard, IPRC has acquired a "Magic Planet." Allowing projection of still images or animations on a glowing 24-inch diameter sphere, the system will be used to visualize IPRC's model and diagnostic data sets and for IPRC and SOEST outreach activities. (more photos)
Researcher of the Month, Professor Kelvin Richards
December 2008
High Performance Computing at UH, the newsletter of the UH Information Technology Services, named
Kelvin Richards "Researcher of the Month." Richards' research
team has used a special high frequency measuring device to detect large, shallow velocity structures around the equator.
(read more).
Lifecycles of Real Tropical Cyclones Successfully Predicted
December 15, 2008
A team of scientists at IPRC, JAMSTEC, and the University of Tokyo analyzed initial results from the first global model that resolves cloud systems, the Nonhydrostatic ICosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM). Initialized with atmospheric conditions present 1-2 weeks before the cyclones formed, the model captured the timing of the formation, motions, and evolution of two observed cyclones. Published in Geophysical Research Letters, the study was selected by the journal editors as a research highlight (read more).
Solar Tide Interacts with Topography
November 30, 2008
A study spearheaded by IPRC’s Kevin Hamilton examined the topographic effects on the daily tropical atmospheric pressure variations in a sophisticated computer model of the atmosphere and in real data from a network of sensors on the island of Hawaii.
Results support the theory that these pressure variations at the ground are manifestations of global-scale atmospheric tides that are generated in upper atmosphere and propagate to the ground. Published in the Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres, the study was selected by the journal editors as a research highlight
(read more).
Bin Wang elected Fellow of the AMS
October 1, 2008
The IPRC congratulates Team Leader and Professor of Meteorology Bin Wang on his election as Fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) for his "outstanding contributions to the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences during a substantial period of years." The AMS bestows this prestigious, life-long title each year on no more than 0.2% of the Society’s world-wide membership. The ceremony will take place at the Annual Meeting to be held 11-15 January 2009 in Phoenix. (read more;also news@UH)
Is the freezing-level height rising?
Trends in hail in China from 1960 to 2005
July 2, 2008
The number of hail days per year has decreased significantly in northern China probably because the freezing-level height has risen, according to a study of observations from surface meteorological stations. The study, of which IPRC’s Yuqing Wang is a coauthor, was chosen as a research highlight by the editors of the AGU publication Geophysical Research Letters and editors of Nature China.(read more)
Researcher of the Month, Jim Potemra
May 2008
High Performance Computing at UH, the newsletter of the UH Information Technology Services, named Jim Potemra "Researcher of the Month." Potemra used the power of several high performing super computing clusters to study climate variability in the western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Indonesian seas. (read more)
IPRC Celebrates 10 Years of Scientific Achievements
May 5-9, 2008
The IPRC celebrated 10 years of achievements with a special anniversary version of its annual symposium, held May 5 and 6 at the East-West Center, a reception and dinner at the Halekulani Hotel, and an Open House for students and their parents on May 9 (read more).
Mysterious Currents in Our Oceans
April 16, 2008
Overlayed on the grand ocean gyres are mysterious currents flowing in an alternating east-west pattern, according to analyses of direct ocean observations, satellite images and computer models conducted by IPRC' s Nikolai Maximenko,
Oleg Melnicheko, and their colleagues
P. Niiler and H. Sasaki (press release, media coverage). AVISO image of the month.
Changes at the IPRC Helm
April 1, 2008
Long-time IPRC Director Julian "Jay" McCreary and Executive Associate Director Lorenz Magaard have stepped down. Kevin Hamilton has been named Interim IPRC Director (read more).
Gulf Stream Leaves its Signature 7 Miles High!
March 12, 2008
The Gulf Stream anchors a precipitation band with upward motions and cloud formations that can reach 7 miles high. The study by a joint Japan-US team, which includes IPRC's Shang-Ping Xieand Justin Small, is published as the cover article in the March 13 issue of Nature.(read more in:Nature; IPRCrelease; NewScientist; Science Centric;Yahoo; diePresse; physorg.com; Yomiuri Shimbun;Kyodo News Agency; Geotimes)
Tracking a Likely Precursor of El Nino Strength and Duration
February 12, 2008
A study spearheaded by IPRC's Tangdong Qu reveals that the South Pacific subtropical cell, a sparsely charted circulation, contributes significantly more than suspected to the formation of water layers in the equatorial Pacific El Nino region. This work, Subduction of South Pacific Waters, is featured by the American Geophysical Union in the January Highlights.(read more)
Researcher of the Month, Professor Axel Timmermann
January 29, 2008
High Performance Computing at UH, the newsletter of the UH Information Technology Services, names Axel Timmermann "Researcher of the Month." Timmermann teaches numerical modeling, climate modeling, and dynamical paleoceanography. (read more)
Mapping High Sea Winds from Space
January 9, 2008
The high sea wind maps developed by Takeaki Sampe and Shang-Ping Xie appear in the latest issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. (read more)
How Global Warming May Affect Native People
January 9, 2008
Axel Timmermann participated in a Native America Calling talk show on global warming and how it may affect Native peoples around the world (listen to broadcast).
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