Scientists Gather in Denver for the 2011 PMM Science Team Meeting
Over 150 scientists from 10 different countries are meeting in Denver, Colorado, to discuss rain and snow and how to measure them from space. Only once a year members of the Precipitation Measurement Missions (PMM) Science Team come together to discuss the science surrounding both the current Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and the upcoming Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission that will launch in 2014.
The four-day meeting opened on Monday, November 7th with a focus on the mission status for both TRMM and GPM, and continues with breakout sessions, scientific presentations and poster sessions. PMM science team members will discuss science results based on TRMM data, GPM Ground Validation efforts and GPM instrument development, among other topics. Algorithm development meetings on Thursday focus on how to turn satellite measurements into meaningful estimates of precipitation.
This meeting is a step forward in improving our ability to measure and analyze all forms of precipitation around the world, and utilizing the data collected by precipitation satellites.
Precipitation is the cornerstone for understanding Earth’s weather, climate and energy systems. TRMM has expanded our understanding of rain and its movement over the tropics. Building on its success, GPM and its constellation of partner satellites will advance the coverage and technology used to monitor and understand rain and snow around the world.
Over the next few days we will be posting information here on the PMM website, Facebook, and Twitter, to provide an inside look at this exciting meeting. Check out our Facebook page for pictures from the meeting, and our Twitter feed for updates, announcements, and neat facts.