New table 5-02-04: Measurement/observing method (outer space)

[LuisaIckes]

The measurement/observing method for space weather observations are still missing at this point. It would be nice to collect suggestions from the community here.

Examples from other communities can be found here:
https://github.com/wmo-im/wmds/blob/master/tables_en/5-02-01.csv (atmosphere)
https://github.com/wmo-im/wmds/blob/master/tables_en/5-02-05.csv (terrestrial)

[nuneslf]

Perhaps ti is also useful to refer to the current list of variables for outer space (code table 1-01-04):
https://github.com/wmo-im/wmds/blob/master/tables_en/1-01-04.csv

[KarlBureau]

Reached out to Murray Parkinson, Space Weather at Bureau of Meteorology.

[wb-wmo-2020]

Comment by Larisa Trichtchenko (IPT-SWeISS, Lead Task Team Systems):
"Re: #143
In order to properly address the issue, it could be useful to get information where in OSCAR these methods will reside? Meanwhile, I will contact IPT-SWeISS group (space specialists) to ask for volunteer to help me.“

[wb-wmo-2020]

Comment by Larisa Trichtchenko (IPT-SWeISS, Lead Task Team Systems):
"In addition< as I understand examples from other communities on Github, these are not so much “methods”, but rather the instruments ( for example, some mentioned “radiosonde”). Only very few also explain the really method which is used.
Looking onto our measurements, in case of the ACE solar wind data, for example, it would be quite lengthy, i.e. counting number of particles in special range of energies, then applying the Maxwell distribution assumption, and in such a way the bulk parameters of the solar wind, i.e. speed, density and temperature, can be derived).While for DISCOVR, it is a different set of instruments and different method .
And for magnetometers, PPM (Proton Precise Magnetometers), the magnetic resonance should be somehow incorporated in the “brief” explanation of the method, and different for the fluxgate mags…

If my opinion would count, it would be much shorter and more precise and useful if instead of method description the reference to the description of the mission instrument is provided, either published paper, report, website, or else. At least for space weather variables, we will try this more comprehensive approach.
"

[joergklausen]

The idea of the methods table is to name the main physico-chemical principle behind an observation/measurement. Sometimes, if this is too complex, or a conventional term ('radiosonde') is used in the community, then indeed an instrument type can stand in as a proxy. In your ACE example, would something like 'energy-dispersive particle counting' cover it?

[wb-wmo-2020]

The idea of the methods table is to name the main physico-chemical principle behind an observation/measurement. Sometimes, if this is too complex, or a conventional term ('radiosonde') is used in the community, then indeed an instrument type can stand in as a proxy. In your ACE example, would something like 'energy-dispersive particle counting' cover it?

Reply Larisa: No, it would not be correct. Particle counting does not give meters per second or degrees Kelvin. I could refer to the appropriate textbook, if needed (we have it in the course named ” thermodynamics and statistical physics”).

Additional questions Larisa: Now I am more puzzled for what purpose one should spent so much time and creativity (i.e. to find out “proxy” terms), if methods (i.e. “main physics-chemical principles”) are either presented in textbooks or by the specialists in the reports, published papers or on-line descriptions. Who will be the reader and how this incomplete and, to some extent, misleading information will be used r?
I named it “misleading”, as, at first, the “short” description might be not adequately explaining the principle. And even this step is passed successfully, the next is: if some measurements were done based on the same principles, they can give the different results simply due to the differences in the instruments design done on purpose (to count other particles, for scientific research, due to the design limitations, etc.).Thus, expecting the same results are produced would be not correct. So, what is the importance for the reader to see, for example, word “particle detector” in the table, if there is no reference to how this particle detector is designed?

Question Werner: should this be all somehow be described in and linked to the WMO CIMO Guide, where the methods of observation should be clearly defined and described?

[wb-wmo-2020]

SW_Requirements_Instruments and Methods_LT.xlsx
Additional Input Larisa: Could you, please, judge my attempt to fill the information into the table, as per file attached (based on OSCAR SW variables list).

If this is what is requested, then I will appreciate it very much if you could provide me with the official wordings of the purpose of this task. . Some official wording would really help me to solicit the group involvement (SW group are volunteers, including myself, this is why we, perhaps, need some more motivation J).

[joergklausen]

Reply Larisa: No, it would not be correct. Particle counting does not give meters per second or degrees Kelvin. I could refer to the appropriate textbook, if needed (we have it in the course named
'degrees Kelvin' doesn't exist. It is 'Kelvin' only.

[joergklausen]

Comment by Larisa Trichtchenko (IPT-SWeISS, Lead Task Team Systems):
"Re: #143
In order to properly address the issue, it could be useful to get information where in OSCAR these methods will reside? Meanwhile, I will contact IPT-SWeISS group (space specialists) to ask for volunteer to help me.“

In OSCAR/Surface, the methods are a key element in the definition of a deployment. A deployment is effectively a period of operation of an instrument, and an instrument operates based on a method. Organizing methods in a code table is unfortunately not trivial, but the terms should be rather short, with a more extensive description if needed. I like a term such as 'electromagnetic induction' or 'proton precession'. A term like 'Passage of ionized particles produce detectable changes in electrical circuits' is a sentence and not a method.

[LarisaTrichtchenko]

Could you, please, help me to find a reference in OSCAR Surface which cite this first line of your statement. Period of operation of the instrument depends on many things, such as (in primitive thinking), capability to sustain environment, the quality of communication (data feed) links, etc. I do not understand how the lifetime of the instrument (period of deployment) can depend on the method...Perhaps "electrostatic discharge" would be a good term for you, although not quite covering the whole range of particle detectors. If you would like to organise "methods" into code table, then these are not methods, but the types of instruments. For magnetometers it would be fluxgate and PPM. There are several general types of particle detectors. Several types of ionosondes etc. If this, latter, is the task, then it is manageable and makes sense.

[joergklausen]

@LarisaTrichtchenko Sorry for the late response ... It may be more efficient to have a chat over the phone, but maybe this helps:

1. The period of deployment is really something very practical: when was an instrument put in service to produce observations. For current instruments, there is obviously no end date expected, as the observations are ongoing.
2. Types of instruments (manufacturer, model, etc) should be documented in the instrument catalogue. If you want to help with that, please let us know and we assign you the role of instrument expert.
3. On the methods code table, please consult the existing tables on codes.wmo.int/wmdr to see how these tables are populated for other domains.

[LarisaTrichtchenko]

Based on our discussion, most likely the "method" is the most popular type of instrument (in terms of the measurement technique) used for a given data collection, Such as "ionosonde", or "radiosonde", for example. I will try to fulfill this task with the help of the group. Thanks. Larisa
P.S. Sorry, but on the referred website (wmo.int/wmdr ) I cannot find any written document with example of methods.

[amilan17]

@amilan17 - find appropriate WMO contact

[amilan17]

sent email to Ken Holmund.