Remote Sensing and Atmospheric Observation Flashcards
6 cards from real AMS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Remote Sensing and Atmospheric Observation flashcards as text
What does radar reflectivity (dBZ) measure in meteorological applications?
Answer: Intensity of precipitation by measuring returned energy from hydrometeors
Radar reflectivity (dBZ) measures the intensity of returned microwave energy from precipitation particles, indicating rainfall or snowfall rates.
What does Doppler radar velocity data measure that standard reflectivity cannot?
Answer: Radial wind velocity (toward or away from the radar)
Doppler radar measures the phase shift of returned radar pulses to determine the radial velocity of precipitation moving toward or away from the radar.
What is the purpose of dual-polarization radar technology?
Answer: Distinguish precipitation types (rain, snow, hail, graupel) and improve QPE
Dual-polarization radar transmits both horizontal and vertical pulses, allowing discrimination of hydrometeor types and improving quantitative precipitation estimates.
Geostationary satellites like GOES remain fixed over one location because they orbit at what altitude?
Answer: 35,786 km (geosynchronous orbit)
Geostationary satellites orbit at ~35,786 km where orbital period equals Earth's rotation, keeping them stationary relative to the surface.
Infrared (IR) satellite imagery detects what property to infer cloud heights?
Answer: Cloud top temperature (colder = higher)
IR satellite detects emitted thermal radiation; since temperature decreases with altitude, colder cloud tops appear brighter and indicate higher clouds.
Water vapor satellite imagery detects radiation in what spectral band?
Answer: Water vapor absorption band (~6.2–7.3 μm)
Water vapor imagery uses the 6.2–7.3 μm absorption band where water vapor absorbs and re-emits radiation, revealing moisture in the mid-to-upper troposphere.