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Date: 08/29 (Thu)
Time: 14:45-16:30
Place: Cosmo Studio
Speaker: "Purwadi"

Title:
"Thunderstorm Cloud Observation System using Ground Lightning Network and Thermal Infrared Camera oboard LAPAN-A4"

Abstract:
"Thunderstorm clouds form when warm air currents rise above the Earth’s surface with the strong updraft. These clouds has potential disaster risk such as heavy rain, lightning, hail and occasionally tornadoes. Previous study shows that both thunderstorms growth speed and lightning activity can be used to indicate the activity status of this cloud and may be used to predict the potential hazards of this clouds. In this study, we are going to establish observation system for thunderstorm activity using ground lightning detector and thermal infrared sensor (TIS) camera on board LAPAN-A4. Some progress of this study will be presented in this EOU seminar.
Ground lightning detector networks in very low frequency range (VLF) has been established in Philippines, Palau, Guam, Japan, and Indonesia. The data obtained by these lightning detector networks can be used to estimate the lightning location using Time of Arrival method. By plotting the signal amplitude as a function of distance, the coverage of this lightning detector is confirmed about 3000 km radius. In this study, geolocation error is predicted by simulation and confirmed using statistical method.
TIS camera has been successfully developed by Hokkiado University and passed the environmental testing. This TIS camera will be installed on LAPAN-A4 satellite and will be used to monitor cloud top height by assuming the surface temperature of the cloud follow the ambient temperature. By observing in some interval time, cloud growth speed can be calculated."
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