Printer FriendlyWeather Laboratory
This laboratory is both a formal and
informal learning laboratory for weather forecasting. It receives a full array of weather data including
satellite imagery, NEXRAD radar, and NWS maps and data. Numerous
networked personal computers serve individual students. Workstations
and a microVAX minicomputer serve research needs. This is
a busy place whenever there is severe weather.
Environmental Analysis
This analytical
laboratory is equipped with diamond saws and a crushing/grinding
sequence to prepare solid earth materials for analysis by
atomic absorption spectrophotometry or neutron activation. The laboratory contains a magnetic
separator, and polarizing microscopes for the optical identification
of materials such as asbestos. The laboratory is also equipped
for fission track age dating. If you do honors research you
may be using the facilities of this laboratory.
Air Pollution Laboratory
The facility
is used for student instruction and for various research projects.
The laboratory contains specialized instrumentation to measure
airborne particulate matter. CO, SO2 , O3, NO and NO2. Instrumentation
in the laboratory is also used to calibrate a remote sensing
device which uses Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
to test for ozone, nitric oxides, and volatile organic compounds.
Geographical Information System
A geographical
information system (GIS) analyzes and manipulates spatially
distributed data to produce maps and to statistically analyze
various data layers. This computerized system is an important
environmental tool and is used for instruction and local research
projects.
The Center for Atmospheric Research is closely affiliated with the Department and concentrates its efforts on the study of the ionized upper atmosphere. The Center has developed a very advanced digital high frequency Doppler radar system (the Digisonde) to study the flow pattern of ionospheric plasma. It also conducts research on the chemistry and physics of the troposphere and stratosphere. As a leader in the field, the Center has numerous contracts with NSF, NASA, U.S. Air Force, and many foreign governments. In addition to departmental faculty, the Center is staffed by 14 permanent researchers. A number of graduate and undergraduate students conduct research through the Center.