B.17 Weather Satellites and You
The weather satellite images of cloud systems approaching Washington State that you see on evening newscasts are the result of about 30 years of developing this technology for observing our planet from geostationary satellites. Explore the basic science of how the visible and infrared sensors that provide the images work, the forces that keep these satellites in place, and the tremendous value this information provides. It may seem like magic - and perhaps it is, but it is really physics at work. The presenter will also give an overview of the multitude of other marvelous instruments that contribute to weather and climate observations. Kristina Katasaros
 Kristina Katasaros
Dr. Katasaros was the Director of the Atlantic Oceanograpic and Meteorological Laboratory, NOAA in Miami, Florida from 1997-2003. Her research has focused on the physics of air sea interaction and the effects of surface waves, atmospheric stratification and basin scales in relation to their effects on turbulent fluxes of momentum, heat and water vapor. Her current research topics include tropical storms, ocean mixing and the relation of the Atlantic Ocean to the African Monsoon.