The 4th International Workshop on Precipitation Retrieval Algorithms Using Satellite Microwave Radiometers, Radar and IR Data

The 4th International Workshop on Precipitation Retrieval Algorithms Using Satellite Microwave Radiometers, Radar and IR Data and Global Precipitation Mapping was held at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology in Koganei City, Tokyo from February 16, 2009 through to February 18, 2009 where a total of 31 researchers (39 presentations) from both home and abroad make presentations.

This symposium was organized by JST under the aegis of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology to internationally publicize the achievements of research on the development of a precipitation intensity retrieval algorithm using microwave radiometer observations from space and others, and global precipitation mapping using the developed algorithm, that took place within CREST of the JST Basic Research Programs while providing leading researchers in the same discipline from both home and abroad with the opportunity to get together and exchange views in a public space.

The presenters included members of the CREST team researching the "High Precision and High Resolution Global Precipitation Map from Satellite Data" and researchers from the U.S. with distinguished accomplishments in this field, with a total number of 51 participants attending (11 domestic and overseas researchers). Wide-ranging presentations took place at the presentation sessions on microwave radiometers, precipitation radar, infrared radiometers, the latest achievements with the algorithm developed combining use of those instruments, a precipitation map produced using the developed algorithm and evaluation and application of it. All the participants left deeply impressed, especially by the most recent research results that include the socially contributing achievement of the algorithm developed by CREST, which has already been adopted by JAXA for use in creating and publicizing a semi-real time global precipitation map, as well as the fact that both Japan and U.S. have already commenced upon researching how to improve the algorithm for application in the joint U.S.-Japan GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement) satellite scheduled to be launched in 2013.

For more information on the workshop please visit the following website.

• http://www.prime-intl.co.jp/gsmap/e_index.html