David Parker, T. H. Achtor, L. E. GumleyUniversity of Wisconsin – Madison (SSEC/CIMSS)

CIMSS Student Workshop

Madison, WI23 June 2014

Mobile Devices are the Future“The mobile device will be the primary connection tool to the Internet for most people in the world in 2020” (Pew Research Center, 2008)

But… What will they look like?

Funny image courtesy of R. Dengel

Two Mobile Apps

SatCamSatellite coordinated sky observations

WxSatSatellite imagery display

SatCam

Coordinate sky (cloud) observations with polar orbiting satellite overpassesAQUA, TERRA, Suomi-NPP

SatCam notifies you of upcoming passes based on your current locationDifferentiates between night

and daytime passes

SatCam

Uses built-in iOS Notification Center as well as custom voice cuesTen minute warningTen second countdown

Notifications can be disabledCompletelyBy time of day

SatCam

Provides simple guided steps to recording sky and ground observations1. Record sky picture

2. Categorize sky type

3. Record ground picture

4. Categorize ground type

5. Submit for processing

SatCam

Sky image captureAt closest approachWhen pointed skyward

Sky classificationsClear, Mostly Clear, Mostly

Cloudy, Overcast

Ground classificationsUrban, Green Veg., Brown

Veg., Snow, Desert, Water

SatCam

Review your observations Organized into categories

Unsubmitted○ Not uploaded for processing

Submitted○ Received but not processed

Processed○ Satellite view is available○ Available in 30-120 minutes

SatCam

Examine observations in detailDate/time of observationDate/time of satellite passSky and ground conditions

Zoom in on imagesCaptured sky and ground

observationsSatellite view of your location

SatCam

Great for outreachIntuitive connectionSee what tax dollars support

Collecting valuable data for calibration and validationCloud mask productsCloud/ice differentiationLooking to the future…

○ Website, gamification

SatCam

Available on the App Store for FREE since July 2012

Over 12,000 submissions from all around the world

WxSat

Simple way for anyone to explore global composite imagery

Grew from Russ Dengel’s “PAW” website

Leverages SSEC WMS

WxSat

Clean interface with clear optionsVisibleInfraredWater Vapor

Toggle map overlay Animation and time controls

Select animation time frameSelect specific day/time

WxSat

Interface rotation

WxSat

iPad optimized

WxSat

iPad optimized

WxSat

Animation and time settings2 Hours

○ 30 minute intervals6 Hours

○ 1 hour intervals12 Hours

○ 2 hour intervals24 Hours

○ 4 hour intervals

WxSat

Time can be displayed in local (am/pm) or UTC format

WxSat

Specific images within the selected time frame can be viewed

WxSat

Free pan/zoom Display current location Built on top of iOS MapKit

APIsGoogle Maps in iOS 4/5Apple Maps in iOS 6+

Simple political map overlay that can be toggled on/off

WxSat

AnimationUI disappearsTime and progress indicator

WxSat

1km VIS All global composites are

created hourlyWxSat automatically looks for

new imagery every 15 minutes

WxSat

Global composites of Visible, Infrared and Water VaporFull native resolution

○ ~4km IR/WV global○ ~1km VIS global

Products are all produced at SSEC

WxSat

SSEC WMS backendWeb Map ServiceVery flexible product

cataloging and servingInfrastructure for ingest and

maintenanceOver 250 products currentlyThis App is one of many ways

to view the imagery

Summary

SatCamAvailable for iOS

WxSatAvailable for iOS and Android

Summary“The mobile device IS the primary connection tool to the Internet for most people in the world” (D. Parker)