Southern Great Plains Observatory
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Southern Great Plains Observatory (SGP) is a key part of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility, managed by the U.S. Department of Energy. Located near Lamont, Oklahoma, it's the world's largest and most extensive climate research facility, focusing on collecting data to study atmospheric phenomena, particularly clouds and aerosols.
Mission
The mission of the Southern Great Plains Observatory is to gather long-term, high-quality atmospheric data to better understand and model cloud, aerosol, and radiation interactions. This data supports the development and validation of climate models, enhancing predictions about weather and climate change.[1]
Parent organization
SGP is under the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility, which falls within the Office of Biological and Environmental Research of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.[2]
Legislation
SGP operates under the broader research mandate of the Department of Energy without specific founding legislation noted.
Partners
- Universities for atmospheric research projects
- Other national and international research institutions for collaborative studies
- DOE national laboratories for data analysis and research support
Number of employees
The specific number of employees at SGP isn't publicly detailed, but the site is staffed with technicians, scientists, and support personnel.
Organization structure
SGP consists of:
- Central Facility for main instrumentation and data collection.
- Extended Facilities scattered around the region for broader atmospheric sampling.
- Guest Instrument Facility for additional experiments by visiting scientists.
Leader
SGP is managed by a Site Manager.[3]
Divisions
While not formally divided, the operations include:
- Central Facility operations
- Extended Facilities maintenance
- Guest Instrument Facility management
List of programs
- Continuous Atmospheric Data Collection
- Field Campaigns for special atmospheric studies
- Instrument Development and Testing
Last total enacted budget
The budget specifics for SGP are not publicly detailed separately from the ARM User Facility budget.
Staff
Staff includes on-site technicians, researchers, and visiting scientists, though exact numbers are not specified.
Funding
Funding for SGP comes from the U.S. Department of Energy, allocated through the ARM User Facility budget to support operations, maintenance, and research activities.
Services provided
SGP provides comprehensive atmospheric data through an array of instruments like radars, lidars, and radiometers. It supports field campaigns where additional or new instruments are deployed to study specific atmospheric conditions, aiding in the improvement of climate models.[4]
Regulations overseen
SGP does not oversee regulations but its research contributes to the scientific understanding that can inform environmental and climate policy.
Headquarters address
12555 Observation Rd., Lamont, OK 74643, USA
History
Established in 1992, the Southern Great Plains Observatory was the first site for the ARM program, initially designed to help resolve uncertainties in climate models regarding cloud and aerosol properties. Over the years, it has become a central hub for atmospheric research, hosting numerous field campaigns and contributing vast amounts of data to the global scientific community.
External links
- Official Website
- wikipedia:Atmospheric_Radiation_Measurement#Southern_Great_Plains
- SGP About Page
- News Article on DOE Visit
References
- ↑ Unknown (April 17, 2024). "Southern Great Plains Observatory". ARM User Facility.
- ↑ Unknown (July 14, 2008). "Office of Science - Wikipedia". Wikipedia.
- ↑ Unknown (March 27, 2024). "DOE officials tour Southern Great Plains atmospheric observatory". Newswise.
- ↑ Unknown (April 17, 2024). "Southern Great Plains Observatory". ARM User Facility.