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Remnants of Hurricane Dennis

  • Science Highlights

Remnants of Hurricane Dennis at 11:02am, July 12, 2005

This data, showing the remnants of Hurricane Dennis, was received at the Purdue receiving station from the GOES (Geostationary Observational Environmental Satellite) at 11:02, Indiana time, on the morning of July 12th.

GOES satellites provide the kind of continuous monitoring necessary for intensive data analysis. They circle the Earth in a geosynchronous orbit, which means they orbit the equatorial plane of the Earth at a speed matching the Earth's rotation. This allows them to hover continuously over one position on the surface. The geosynchronous plane is about 35,800 km (22,300 miles) above the Earth, high enough to allow the satellites a full-disc view of the Earth. Because they stay above a fixed spot on the surface, they provide a constant vigil for the atmospheric "triggers" for severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, flash floods, hail storms, and hurricanes. When these conditions develop the GOES satellites are able to monitor storm development and track their movements.

GOES satellite imagery is also used to estimate rainfall during the thunderstorms and hurricanes for flash flood warnings, as well as estimates snowfall accumulations and overall extent of snow cover. Such data help meteorologists issue winter storm warnings and spring snow melt advisories. Satellite sensors also detect ice fields and map the movements of sea and lake ice."

The photograph was made possible by the IndianaView project of the Purdue Terrestrial Observatory. The IndianaView consortium, headquartered in Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP), receives funding from the United States Geological Survey to enable acquisition of archival satellite data for the entire state grid. Organized and launched by Purdue and ITaP in 2003, IndianaView is a designated affiliate of the national group, Americaview, which focuses on satellite remote sensing data and technologies in support of applied research, K-16 education, workforce development, and technology transfer.

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