International Workshop on Occultations for Probing Atmosphere and Climate 2022
September 8 to September 14, 2022, Seggau Castle, Leibnitz, Austria
OPAC 2022 is an international workshop in the field of atmospheric remote sensing and occultation methods and the use of occultation methods in atmospheric physics, chemistry, meteorology, and climate.
Since the first OPAC-1 in 2002, the workshop is organized this year for the seventh time by the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change. We are thus celebrating 20 years of OPAC in 2022!
OPAC 2022 will be held from September 8 to September 14, 2022. As in previous years, the event takes places at Hotel Schloss Seggau in Southern Styria, where rooms have been reserved for you.
Furthermore, the International Radio Occultation Working Group (IROWG) will hold its 9th workshop in the framework of OPAC-IROWG 2022. An international scientific panel will present its findings at OPAC and develop further research strategies.
Use of the occultation measurement principle for observing the Earth's atmosphere and climate has become so broad as to exploit solar, lunar, stellar, navigation and satellite-crosslink signals, to employ the whole electromagnetic spectrum from EUV/UV via VIS/IR to MW and radio, and to utilize all kinds of atmosphere-radiation interaction such as refraction, absorption, and scattering.
Occultation methods share the unique properties of self-calibration, high accuracy and vertical resolution, global coverage, and, if using radio signals, all-weather capability. They thus bear great utility for meteorology and climate science, and other fields. The many different uses and variants of the occultation method have led to a diversification of the occultation-related scientific community into several sub-communities, however.
OPAC-IROWG 2022 sets in at this point and aims at providing a casual forum and stimulating atmosphere fertilizing scientific discourse, co-operation initiatives, and mutual learning & support amongst members of all the different sub-communities.
Topical areas include:
- Occultation methodology (generic aspects, math-phys basis, iono. influences)
- Use of occultation data in atmospheric physics
- Use of occultation data in NWP
- Use of occultation data in climate monitoring and research
- Specific occultation methods and related techniques (LEO, stellar, solar/lunar, reflectometry)
- Occultations in ionosphere and planetary science
- Future occultation missions
This year the workshop location will be Seggau Castle (Schloss Seggau) in Leibnitz (distance from Graz 35 km).
Schloss Seggau promises „a unique location that encourages an inspirational and energetic atmosphere where innovators and innovation feel at home“ and „as a place of contrasts Schloss Seggau bridges modern architecture with a mediaeval setting providing the necessary ambience to provoke innovative discourses and discussions“.
Infrastructure & Facilities: The meeting rooms' infrastructure meets all professional requirements, slide projectors, presentation laptop-PCs, and high-end video beamer equipment.
WiFi internet access is available everywhere in the building. Permanent staff allocated to the area ensures proper maintenance of all facilities and support to participants during the entire workshop.
Catering: For the coffee-breaks you will find different types of fruit-juices, cakes and other little snacks made by local farmers, besides coffee and tea. For lunch and dinner excellent food and service in the diningrooms of Seggau Castle will ensure a relaxing time-out. The kitchen serves a diverse mix of regional and international dishes with focus on organic products. Of course, your food is served with a selection of wines grown in the vineyards of Seggau Castle.
The Workshop is hosted by Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz. If you need help to find you way or have organizational questions regarding your travel just contact us: Zechner, Lena, M.A.
Programme Committee
U. Foelsche (WEGC Uni Graz; OPAC-7 & IROWG-9)
A.K. Steiner (WEGC Uni Graz; OPAC-7)
G. Kirchengast (WEGC Uni Graz; OPAC-7)
S. Healy (ECMWF, UK; IROWG-9)
A.J. Mannucci (JPL Pasadena, USA; IROWG-9)
H. Shao (NOAA and UCAR, USA; IROWG-9)
K.B. Lauritsen (DMI, Denmark and ROM SAF)
C. Marquardt (EUMETSAT, Germany)
R. Ullman (NOAA/NESDIS, USA)
J.P. Weiss (UCAR, Boulder, USA)
J. Wickert (GFZ Potsdam, Germany)
Organizing Committee
The Local Organizing Committee is based at Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz, Austria, which is the host institution of the workshop.
LOC members (and main responsibilities)
U. Foelsche (Chair, General Coordination, LOC, Finances & Sponsors, Scientific Programme, Proceedings)
A.K. Steiner (Chair, Coordination, Communications, Finances, Scientific Programme, Proceedings)
G. Kirchengast (Chair, Scientific Programme)
L. Zechner (LOC Lead Organizer, General Coordination, Financial Admin)
R. Mandl (LOC Organizer)
V. Rogenhofer (Website Administrator)
F. Ladstädter, M. Schwärz, J. Innerkofler, M. Stocker (Programme Book, Support)
A. Leuprecht, W. de Geeter (IT support)