University Daily Kansan, September 11, 1980
Page 9
BEN BIGLER/Kansen staff
Bob Luder, Caldwell sophomore, checks his watch to see how much more time he can spend relaxing on a bench near Dyche Hall.
Kansas farmers of the future will plan their crops based on information from a satellite developed with the help of KU scientists.
Satellite to measure moisture
The satellite, scheduled for orbit in the late 1980s, is being developed by a team of 15 KU scientists, in conjunction with other universities and federal agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
THE SATELLITE will gather information on soil moisture content that will be more accurate than information gathered on the ground, according to Fawarwah, professor of electrical UK's Remote Sensing Laboratory.
In addition to research, the KU group formulates the research goals and integrates the technology with the needs of the people who will use it. Ulaby said recently. Gerald Bradley, a research associate at the Remote Sensing Laboratory, is assisting Ulaby as program manager.
Ulaby also has been instrumental in developing the mathematical formula that will translate the satellite signals from clouds to showing varying levels of soil moisture.
The KU team was chosen for participation partially because Ulaby is the only researcher in the United States with the types of radar used in the project.
THE NEW MAPS will be similar to
those now produced from optical signals returned from NASA's LANDSAT satellites, which have been orbiting the earth since the early 1970s. LANDSAT satellites provide information on topography, geography, and weather, and provide insight into patterns of pollution and urban growth.
The significance of the new satellite is that it carries microwave radar sensors, which enable it to measure soil moisture content. Ulaby said.
THE LANDSAT satellites, which carry only optical sensors, are unable to collect soil moisture data, Ulaby said.
"Our satellite will measure the amount of energy the earth puts out, and will feed those measurements into antennas on earth. You might say it will measure the reflectivity of the earth. Different tones or frequencies of radar respond to the moisture in different wavs." Ulabv said.
KU SCIENTISTS have been working for years to find the proper radar frequency by refining a mathematical formula that will accurately measure soil moisture levels. The formula must account for variations in the shape and elevation of the land formation being studied.
Ulaby has been a leader in this formula research, and with the KU research group, has tested proposed formulas throughout Kansas by
comparing information gathered from aerial surveillance and ground stations with that from more conventional soil analysis techniques.
METEOROLOGISTS WILL use the same information to predict the weather, and water resource managers will apply it to the management of rivers and reservoirs and to other river management, such as flood control.
Once the mathematical formula is perfected and the satellite is in orbit, the information it provides will have a variety of uses. Ulaby said.
The satellite will transmit its information to a network of receivers on earth, similar to the ones now used for the LANDSAT system. Some of the receivers will be in Europe, and although the information will belong to the United States, it will be available to all countries.
Ulaby is working with Kansas State University researchers on a similar program aimed at predicting crop yields. It is based on crop moisture measurements, rather than moisture in the soil.
During the next two years, airborne
ear tests will be conducted
throughout the U.S.
Ulaby said he expected the new satellite to carry instruments from that project, in addition to those aimed at measuring moisture in the soil.
Fall 1980 Leagues
...
All Leagues Start The week of Monday, Sept. 8
6:30 Dormitory
6:30 All Star Scratch
1,000 K.U. LADIES
8:30 Greek
Thursday 6:30 Guys & Dolls
Friday 4:00 TGIF
Sunday 7:00 Faculty Mixed (Alt. Sundays)
P.M. Specials Till 6:00
3 games/person $2.00
Bowling - Billiards
Amusement Machines
Cold Beer
Join A Fall League NOV
Hours
Mon. Tues. Thurs., 8:30-10:00 PM
Wed. & Fri. 8:30-11:00 PM
Sat. & Sun. 1:00 PM-11:00 PM
BOWLING IS FUN!
For Reservations/Info, call 864-3545
KANSAS UNION
Jazz Up At Paul Gray's Jazz Place
926 Mass.-Upstairs A Private Club
Don't Miss our Happy Hour, $ \frac{1}{2} $ price drinks week days 5-7 p.m. Check out our new 5 foot T.V. screen for ball games and Jazz Shows. Join us with no cover charge for a Jam Session this Sunday 6-9 p.m. Sandwiches & Drinks available!! Live Music!
Friday
Saturday
Tommy Johnson experiment
Fri. & Sat. 1/2 Happy Hour
Live Jazz 12:30-2:30
Special $3.00 cover total for whole group
Paul Gray and the
Gaslight Gang
Admission $2.00
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WEEKDAYS
Presents its Fall Lineup
6:00a.m.-9:00a.m. Good Morning And All That Jazz
9:00a.m.-12noon Crossover
12noon-6:00a.m. Progressive
SATURDAY SHOWS
10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Old Wave with Doc Roc
2:00p.m.-6:00p.m. Down Home (country)
SUNDAY PROGRAMS
12midnight-9:00a.m. Progressive
9:00a.m.-12noon Jazz Special
12noon-4:00p.m.
4:00p.m.-7:00p.m.
Soul Voyage
7:00p.m.-10:00p.m.
Reggae
10:00p.m.-2:00a.m. London Calling (best of British New Wave)
Blues
Partially Funded By Student Senate