Given that precipitation can be accurately measured at surface weather stations, explain why it is desirable to measure rainfall from space
What will be an ideal response?
ANSWER: The benefits of measuring precipitation from space are numerous.
1) Satellites are able to measure rainfall intensity in previously inaccessible regions of the tropics and subtropics.
2) Inbuilt radars are capable of detecting rainfall rates down to about 0.7 mm (0.03 in.) per hour, while at the same time providing vertical profiles of rain and snow intensity from the surface up to about 20 km (12 mi).
3) Equipment, such as the Microwave Imager, can measure the emitted microwave energy from Earth, the atmosphere, clouds, and precipitation, which it translates into rainfall rates. Visible and Infrared Scanners measure visible and infrared energy from Earth, the atmosphere, and clouds, which is used to determine information such as the temperature of cloud tops, which in turn can be translated into rainfall rates. Dual-frequency precipitation radars are even able to obtain three-dimensional data about precipitation particles, and radar onboard the satellite CloudSat, launched in April 2006, is able to peer into a cloud and provide a vertical view of its tiny cloud droplets and ice particles, as well as precipitation. Such vertical profiling of liquid water and ice will hopefully provide scientists with a better understanding of precipitation processes that go on inside the cloud and the role that clouds play in Earth's global climate system.
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____________________ is diminished by extinction.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
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