3-D structure of thundercloud estimated by imaging on the ground and from micro-satellite

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K22021
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 25:Social systems engineering, safety engineering, disaster prevention engineering, and related fields
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: TAKAHASHI YUKIHIRO 北海道大学, 理学研究院, 教授 (50236329)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 積乱雲 / 台風 / 立体構造 / 超小型衛星 / 地上観測

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose was to establish a method for providing a three-dimensional structure of clouds with high resolution by using 3D model software for cloud imaging from satellites and multiple observation sits on the ground. During the research period, we carried out observation campaigns both from the satellite and the ground, and succeeded in acquiring simultaneous images. However, due to the COVID-19, the opportunities for both satellite operation and ground observation were significantly limited, so it was not possible to capture cumulonimbus clouds suitable for analysis. On the other hand, we performed 3D analysis of the data obtained from the satellite, aircraft, and ground observations acquired in the research period and past, and succeeded in estimating the 3D cloud structure inside the eye of the typhoon and cumulonimbus clouds with the highest resolution in the world. We have also completed the development of a fully automatic ground photography system.

Free Research Field

地球惑星科学、リモートセンシング

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

積乱雲や台風など極端気象の予測は今もって困難であり、その大きな要因のひとつが、雲の3次元構造を高精度・高頻度で推定できないことにある。本研究では、本グループが独自に開発・運用する超小型衛星と、地上に配置されたステレオカメラで得られた画像に対し、近年機能向上が著しい3D解析を用いることで、世界最高精度での雲の立体画像作成に成功した。これにより、台風強度の高精度推定や発達メカニムズムの解明、積乱雲がもたらす豪雨予測に、観測の観点から道筋をつけることができた。