Item: The Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera
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Title: The Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- Timothy J. Garrett [ Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA ]
- Edward H. Bair [ US Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH, USA ] [ Earth Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA ]
- Cale J. Fallgatter [ Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA ]
- Konstantin Shkurko [ Department of Computer Science , University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA ]
- Robert E. Davis [ US Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH, USA ]
- Daniel Howlett [ Alta Ski Lifts Company, Alta, UT, USA ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: We introduce a new instrument called the Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera (MASC). The MASC provides 10 to 40 μm resolution stereoscopic images of individual hydrometeors in freefall, while simultaneously measuring their fallspeed. Previously, manual photography of hydrometeors required collection on a flat surface, a process that is somewhat subjective and remarkably finicky due to the fragile nature of the particles. By contrast, the MASC is fully automated, and uses a sensitive IR trigger so that no physical contact is necessary. Field measurements at Alta and Mammoth are showing an extraordinary variety of hydrometeor forms. The MASC has many potential applications. We highlight three current projects: 1) improving understanding of the size-fallspeed relationships that are used to characterize precipitation in Doppler radar retrievals and numerical weather prediction models, 2) identifying weak crystals that form failure layers in avalanches during storms, and 3) using MASC measurements in conjunction with a scanning terrestrial LiDAR to estimate precipitation rates during storms.
Object ID: issw-2012-930-933.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: precipitation, photography, fallspeed
Page Number(s): 930-933
Subjects: snow physics remote sensing
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