David R. Brooks, PhD

President Institute for Earth Science Research and Education 2686 Overhill Drive Eagleville, Pennsylvania 19403 USA Phone: 610-584-5619 E-mail: brooksdr@drexel.edu Drexel University Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics

Much of the work described on this site has been made possible by support from the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.

Pyranometer kit from the Institute for Earth Science Research and Education, for measuring solar radiation at Earth's surface. $20, including shipping in U.S.
Also, NEW two-channel (broadband-near IR) radiometer/reflectometer from IESRE.

NOTICE CONCERNING PYRANOMETERS FROM APOGEE INSTRUMENTS: For many years, we have used and recommended pyranometers from Apogee instruments for calibrating IESRE pyranometers. However, during the last few years we have experienced so many problems with dramatic and unpredictable changes in the output of these instruments, when used under typical conditions, sometimes after only a few months of operation, that we can no longer recommend them. There are many references to Apogee pyranometers on pages found on this website, so please keep this comment in mind when you read these pages. We are currently using a Kipp & Zonen SP-Lite pyranometer as our reference for calibrating IESRE pyranometers.

Northern(?) Leopard Frog (Rana Pipiens?) Dec 05, 2009: Bill Hilton, from the Hilton Pond Center, suggests that this is actually a Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris). Thanks, Bill. October 9, 2009. This frog is perched half submerged on a rock in the very small pond (less than 1 m2 we have on our front patio. This photo was taken in the afternoon with a Canon PowerShot A590 camera, using its image stabilization mode and no flash.

You can now use your PayPal account to purchase instruments from IESRE.

Notes from a Temperate Climate. A site dedicated to students, teachers, and my friends living in Thailand's tropical climate.

In light of recent controversy surrounding poor siting of many "official" weather stations around the country, this link to information about sites in Pennsylvania, with photos from 1983 and 2003, is very interesting: http://pasc.met.psu.edu/PA_Climatologist/cooptan/. Almost without exception, the quality of these sites is good and the surrounding environment has not changed significantly.

Insolation data from McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

These data were collected with an Institute for Earth Science Research and Education pyranometer taken to Antarctica by Ann Linsley, a teacher at Bellaire High School, Bellaire, Texas. Despite these extreme conditions, the pyranometer data still agree reasonably well with a clear-sky solar noon insolation model. The large spikes, which can be observed all over the world, are due to the reflection of sunlight from clouds. Note that the sun never sets in Antarctica during December! Thanks, Ann!