UCAR - University Corporation for Atmospheric Research | Understanding atmosphere, Earth, and Sun

Earth from orbit

April 6, 2010 | About 50 years ago, on April 1, 1960, the world’s first successful weather satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Although TIROS I was operational for only 78 days (15 days fewer than planned), it sent back 22,952 images of Earth from orbit, demonstrating the usefulness of satellites for surveying the atmosphere. In the years immediately following TIROS 1, nine more satellites were launched, revolutionizing the science of weather prediction.

An interview with Roger Wakimoto, NCAR’s new director

March 24, 2010 | In February, former EOL director Roger Wakimoto got a new job title: NCAR director. Although Roger is a relative newcomer to NCAR, joining EOL in 2005, his extensive ties to the organization date back to the 1970s, when he participated in a field project on wind shear as a graduate student. He has also served on the UCAR Board of Trustees and chaired the University Relations Committee.

Aloha to CoMP

March 25, 2010 | The Mauna Loa Solar Observatory has a new instrument: CoMP. The Coronal Multichannel Polarimeter was deployed in late February. Here, HAO’s Steve Tomczyk, Allen Stueben, and Darryl Koon (from left to right) make room for the polarimeter, which was previously housed at the National Solar Observatory in New Mexico. CoMP was relocated to Mauna Loa to take advantage of the excellent sky conditions there.

Citizen science: Project BudBurst 2010

March 17, 2010 | Spring is in the air, and that means it's time for Project BudBurst. Launched in 2007, BudBurst sends students, teachers, families, gardeners, and citizen-scientists outdoors to observe the budding, leafing, and blooming of trees and flowers.

A crosstown open house: UCAR/NCAR invites the community to have a look

March 11, 2010 | On Saturday, June 5, UCAR/NCAR will open the doors of three campuses from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. for an open house in conjunction with the organization's 50th anniversary. People of all ages are invited to come by for a rare firsthand look at the people, instruments, and facilities that drive the atmospheric sciences. Staff will be on hand to share presentations, demonstrations, instruments, aircraft, and more.

Citizen-scientists to help map light pollution

March 1, 2010 | From March 3–16, schoolchildren, parents, and teachers will gaze upward at the night skies as part of GLOBE at Night. By searching for a specific constellation—Orion—and sharing their observations online, the students will help scientists map worldwide light pollution. Over the past four annual GLOBE at Night events, 35,000 measurements have been gathered from more than 100 countries; a record-breaking 15,000 measurements were submitted during the 2009 campaign.

Citation website tracks a half century of NCAR scholarship

February 18, 2010 | In honor of UCAR/NCAR's 50th anniversary this year, the NCAR Library and UCP's Digital Learning Sciences have together launched a Citation Showcase that contains a nearly complete collection of citations (more than 14,500) of peer-reviewed articles by UCAR authors since the organization's birth. The searchable database, which provides a central location for preserving UCAR and NCAR's scholarly legacy, boasts some creative features, including historic facts and photos.

A multilingual workplace

January 29, 2010 | Although English is typically considered the international language of science, it's hardly the only language heard in the offices, hallways, and cafeterias of UCAR/NCAR, and it's not necessarily what staff members converse in when they return home in the evenings.

The Accidental Science Advisor

January 28, 2010 | Last year, HAO scientist Phil Judge undertook the role of NCAR's Science Advisor—and survived to tell the tale. With his term ending in February, the NCAR Scientists' Assembly (NSA) is seeking a member to begin the new term, starting in March, as Science Advisor. For more information, check the NSA website or Careers at UCAR. Applications are due February 10.

A roadmap for NCAR's future workforce

January 27, 2010 | NCAR's Workforce Management Plan, a work in progress for the past year, was released at the end of 2009. The goal of the WMP is to ensure a vibrant and productive workforce into the future and maintain a high morale among staff.

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