25 June 2004

Spectacular example of Citizen Science Challenge 3: Capturing storm images using cameras, weather radars and satellites

The 18 June 2004 issue of The Citizen Scientist presented "Citizen Science Challenge 3: Capturing storm images using cameras, weather radars and satellites."

The photographs here demonstrate a striking example of this challenge that was published in AFCCC Strategic Weather Now, Air Force Combat Climatology Center, March 2004, Vol. 1, No. 3.

The remarkable photograph at above right shows the leading edge of a huge sandstorm in Qatar.

The sandstorm swept across Qatar on its way to southeastern Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on 15 February 2004.

The photograph at right shows the dust storm from space. This stunning photograph was made by an astronaut on the International Space Station using a digital camera equipped with a 50 mm lens.

While this is an especially dramatic example of a major weather event viewed from the ground and from space, less dramatic events can have even more important scientific value.

For more information about Citizen Science Challenge 3, see the 18 June 2004 installment of The Citizen Scientist (www.sas.org/tcs/weeklyIssues/2004-06-18/news1/index.html). For more information about the sand storm described here, see www.yoko.npmoc.navy.mil/ yoko/depts/training/yokotraining/AFCC_TR.pdf

Forrest M. Mims III