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Atmospheric turbulence is a primary concern for astronomers. Turbulence causes amplitude and phase fluctuations in electromagnetic waves propagating through the atmosphere, constraining the maximum telescope resolution and resulting in telescope image degradation. Astronomical parameters that quantify these effects are generically referred to as seeing. Adaptive optics (AO) is used to reduce image degradation associated with optical turbulence. However, to optimize AO, knowledge of the vertical profile of turbulence and overall (integrated) seeing is needed. In this paper, an optical turbulence algorithm is described that makes use of the information on turbulence kinetic energy provided by a planetary boundary layer scheme available in the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5). Optical turbulence data collected on Mauna Kea during the 2002 site monitoring campaign are used to validate the algorithm, which has been implemented in operational runs of MM5 at the Mauna Kea Weather Center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers various information related to energy and environment from October-December 2008 in the U.S. The value for carbon dioxide at Mauna Loa in Hawaii Island, Hawaii was 384.7 ppmv, depicting the normal upward trend and an annual rise of 3.33 ppmv. The global sea ice area for the period was the same as in 1979 while human resources contribute about five percent of the annual carbon dioxide input into atmosphere. The European Union (EU) summit declaration dropped all reference to the legal implementation of the climate targets.

Presents research showing that inputs of elements from the atmosphere can sustain the productivity of Hawaiian rainforests on highly weathered soils. Cations supplied in marine aerosols; Phosphorus deposited in dust from central Asia; How terrestrial biogeochemists traditionally distinguish atmospherically derived from rock-derived elements; Important gas phase of atmospherically derived elements such as carbon and nitrogen.