Lomonosov University and the study of high atmosphere electrical events, satellite planned

A new university satellite is scheduled launch 2015[1]. A web site for the project is available in English

Mikhail Lomonosov (1711 – 1765) helped establish what is now known as Moscow University, decree signed 1755, 250 years ago.

According to Lomonosov’s plan, there were originally three faculties. First all the students acquired a comprehensive knowledge in the field of science and humanities at the Faculty of Philosophy; then they could specialize and continue at the Faculty of Philosophy or join either the Law Faculty or The Faculty of Medicine. Lectures were delivered either in Latin, the language of educated people at the time, or in Russian. [2]

Aurora drawing

Atmospheric vertical circulation

Illustrations from a book published 1753. Text, perhaps embellished a little as these things are, “Mikhail Lomonosov – the Pioneer of Russian Science” nevertheless looks a good fellow.

The satellite is named Lononosov.

Collated EUMETSAT European monthly weather videos

Image from the cold March 2013.

If you are new to these videos expect a revealation, how air moves, clouds stream, bubble.

Clouds are sometimes on seveal levels moving in different directions: we are looking through circulation cells from above, warm air travelling to the Arctic to shed heat and cold air spilling back on it’s journey towards the equator.

JAXA inserted new AMSR2 into A-Train orbit

Image from JAXA press release

I’m late to this news from Japan. Middle 2012 JAXA launched SHIZUKU satellite where a major feature is an AMSR2 instrument, which I assume is a replacement for the highly successful instument which failed (scan bearing failure). Insertion into the A-Train string of satellites makes this orbit compatible.