Date

Opportunity for Input
Town Hall Meeting: "Designing an Arctic Observing Network"
Tuesday, 11 January 2005
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
American Meteorological Society (AMS)
San Diego, California

For further information, see the AMS web site:
http://www.ametsoc.org/meet/annualnew/specialevents.html

Under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences's Polar Research
Board (PRB), a committee has been formed to provide guidance to the
NSF's Office of Polar Programs (OPP) on a strategy for designing a
comprehensive Arctic land, atmosphere, and ocean observing network. The
study committee will provide thoughts on the overarching philosophy and
conceptual foundation for such an international network and, where
possible, provide concrete advice to move the concept toward
implementation. The committee is seeking community input to its
deliberations. This Town Hall will include an overview of the study's
purpose followed by an opportunity for questions, input on the study's
tasks, and discussion. Tasks being addressed include:

  • Provide an overarching philosophy of design for a comprehensive
    Arctic observing network and identify key variables that must be
    monitored.

  • Review the purposes and extent of existing and planned global
    observing systems and platforms, highlighting critical spatial, temporal
    or disciplinary gaps of importance to the Arctic.

  • Describe the infrastructure needed to create a comprehensive Arctic
    observing network, including advice on types, number, and the
    distribution of network components; where stations might be placed; and
    the role that remote sensing and novel technologies might play. This
    discussion should explore two levels: an "ideal" network and a "minimal"
    network to help illustrate choices that may need to be made during
    implementation.

  • Comment on how to ensure sound data management in this type of
    network, using perspectives from data managers, those generating data,
    and those who use or might use the data.

  • Recommend a strategy to ensure efficient, coordinated implementation
    and operation of an Arctic observing network, including methods to
    ensure that data products from different sensors are spatially and
    temporally consistent, processes that could be used to design the
    optimal mix of observations and test for data redundancies, and
    approaches that could be used to keep the network current and cost
    effective.

For more information, see the AMS web site:
http://www.ametsoc.org/meet/annualnew/specialevents.html