Remote Sensing

Outline

As part of the Japanese contribution to the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) a short course for participants from the Asia-Pacific region is going to be conducted, on remote sensing, from 8 to 21 March, 1999, at the Institute for Hydrospheric-Atmospheric Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, and at the Communications Research Laboratory (CRL), Tokai University and Chiba University, which locate in or near Tokyo, Japan. The course includes a series of lectures in English, practice sessions and technical tours of various research institutions and facilities concerned with remote sensing.

Objectives

The general aim of the IHP short course is to help participants develop their basic knowledge of hydrological systems and of their sensitivity to climate changes, as well as to contribute to solving current global environmental problems. The spatial scales of the problems range from very local one to global one with close connection to atmospheric and hydrospheric phenomena. For atmospheric and hydrospheric sciences, satellite remote sensing is very useful and essential because of its capability to observe the atmosphere and hydrosphere in a big scale. For example, recently launched TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) is providing us a unique three-dimensional rain structures covering all over tropical and a part of mid-latitude regions. ADEOS (Advanced Earth Observing Satellite) gave us beautiful images of global phytoplankton distribution over global ocean. Ground-based remote sensing which includes radars and lidars is also useful for the atmospheric observation. The eighth course focuses on the basic theory of remote sensing, technology and applications, and current status of Earth observation satellites.

Course Contents

(convenor: K. Nakamura)

Lectures

Y. Honda (Chiba University)

T. Iguchi (Communications Research Laboratory, Ministry of Posts andTelecommunications)

T. Itabe (Communications Research Laboratory, Ministry of Posts andTelecommunications)

T. Koike (Nagaoka University of Technology)

T. Kozu (Communications Research Laboratory, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications)

H. Masuko (Communications Research Laboratory, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications)

K. Nakamura (Institute for Hydrospheric-Atmospheric Sciences, NagoyaUniversity)

T. Saino (Institute for Hydrospheric-Atmospheric Sciences, Nagoya University)

H. Shimoda (Tokai University)

K. Tsuboki (Institute for Hydrospheric-Atmospheric Sciences, Nagoya University)

Lecturers

L1. Radar measurement of precipitation processes

…… K. Tsuboki

Multi-doppler radar observation is one of the powerful tools for proving theprecipitation system.

The technique and observation results will be introduced. Modeling efforts may also be included.

L2. Soil wetness measurement from satellite microwave remote sensing

…… T. Koike

Soil wetness is one of the key components in the land-atmosphere interaction. The soil wetness controls the water evaporation from land to atmosphere, and also runoff. Global soil wetness observation is a challenging target for the satellite remote sensing. The technique and observational results will be introduced.

L3. Observation of atmosphere by radar

…… K. Nakamura

Radar observation technology will be lectured. Radars include windprofilers and rain/cloud radars. A recently launched satellite enabled us to have three dimensional rain structure over tropical region and a part of midlatitude region. The basic technology for spaceborne rain radar will also be included.

L4. Ocean color observation by satellite

…… T. Saino

Ocean color is a good index of the production of ocean. Satellite sensors, such as OCTS aboard ADEOS gave us a valuable data set. Sensors and recent results will be introduced.

L5. Active microwave measurement of rain and clouds from space

…… T. Kozu and T. Iguchi

Active remote sensing of rain and clouds have a unique capability to give us the three dimensional structure. However, the sensor is heavy and complex. Current spaceborne radar technology and algorithms will be lectured.

L6. Lidar proving of the atmosphere

…… T. Itabe

A lidar is sensitive to small particles, such as cloud particles and aerosols in the atmosphere. Water vapor can also be profiled by lidar. The lidar technology and applications will be introduced. Spaceborne doppler lidar has a big potential for observation of wind in clear sky. The lidar technology will be lectured.

L7. Synthetic aperture radar and its applications

…… H. Masuko

The lecture is on the synthetic aperture radar (SAR). SAR is famous for its excellent spatial resolution. Polarimeteric SAR provides much more information on land status. Recent interference technology added elevation detecting capability.

L8. Current remote sensing technology for global warming monitoring

…… H. Shimoda

Japan has a ADEOS series (ADEOS and ADEOS-II) for global warming monitoring.The current and future spaceborne sensors and technology for earth observation will be introduced.

L9. Global vegetation observation

…… Y.　Honda

Global vegetation is, needless to say, important for mankind. It is sensitive to the climate change. The global monitoring of vegetation is invaluable. The basic technique and current results will be introduced.

Practice Sessions

The objective of the practical training is to give the trainees an idea what remote sensing data can give us and what procedure is required to produce results. Computer data processing is the main part of the training. Trainees will be required to process provided data by themselves with Personal Computers. The sample data are by satellite-borne sensors and/or by airborne and ground-based radars. The training includes image production and correlation analysis. For example, the comparison among TRMM precipitation radar data and TRMM microwave radiometer data will be performed.

Technical Tours

The course also includes technical tours at the IHAS, Nagoya University, the Communications Research Laboratory and the Chiba University. There, the state of the art microwave remote sensing technology will be introduced.

Schedule (8 March, 1999 - 21 March, 1999)

March 1999	Schedule
８ (Monday)	Arrival at Nagoya, Japan
９ (Tuesday)	Guidance, Lectures (icebreaker reception in theevening)
10 (Wednesday)	Lectures and Technical Tour (IHAS, Nagoya University)
11 (Thursday)	Lecture and Guidance of data analysis training
12 (Friday)	Data analysis training
13 (Saturday)	Data analysis training (continued)
14 (Sunday)	Move to CRL at Koganei, Tokyo
15 (Monday)	Technical Tour at CRL and lectures
16 (Tuesday)	Lectures
17 (Wednesday)	Move to Tokai Univ., Lectures, Move to Chiba Univ.
18 (Thursday)	Lectures
19 (Friday)	Lectures and Move to Nagoya
20 (Saturday)	Free day
21 (Sunday)	Departure from Nagoya

Climate

The average air temperature is +5 to +10 ℃ and a total precipitation ofabout 100 mm in March in Nagoya and Tokyo areas in Japan.

Trainees

The trainees from the Asia-Pacific region are selected and recommended by the Regional Office for Science and Technology, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Post graduate students enrolled in the special course in the Graduate School of Nagoya University, and who are at the Institute for Hydrospheric-Atmospheric Sciences, Nagoya University, under the auspices of the Special Program for Sciences of the Atmosphere and Hydrosphere are eligible to participate. Additional trainees may be allowed to participate, at their own expense.

Forthcoming IHP Training Course

1999 Course on Limnology (to be conducted in mid summer 1999)

Limnology is a field of study on terrestrial water ecosystems such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs, ground waters and wetland. Human activities have been linked very closely to those water ecosystems and changed them directly or indirectly through global environmental changes. We have to learn basic limnological processes and how to manage and conserve those water ecosystems with sustainable development through the next century.

Limnological studies in Japan only began in 1899 and we will soon celebrate their centennial history. The following programs will be prepared to welcome trainees of the IHP training course in limnology in the summer of 1999.

Planned Lectures

The course also includes technical tours to Japanese alpine lakesand some large reservoirs in Central Japan. Tours to Lake Biwa Museum andanother institutions around Lake Biwa are also planned.

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2000 Course on Management of Head Water (to be announced)
2001 Course on Stable Isotopes (to be announced)

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Inquiry to M. Nakawo, The secretary of the IHP Training Course,
Institute for Hydrospheric-Atmospheric Sciences,
Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601 Japan,
TEL: +81-52-789-3477
FAX: +81-52-789-3436
E-mail: nakawo@ihas.nagoya-u.ac.jp
IHP Training Course URL : http://ihas.nagoya-u.ac.jp/ihp/index.html

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