MEDIA ADVISORY: Media Tour of Bankhead National Forest Atmospheric Observatory
Meet scientists/project leaders and explore equipment deployed for major Southeastern U.S. weather and climate studies
Newswise — WHAT: Media and invited guests are welcome to tour a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) atmospheric observatory recently installed in Alabama’s Bankhead National Forest. Speak with scientists and federal and local officials, see a weather balloon launch, and get a tour of the state-of-the-art atmospheric instruments installed at the observatory.
DATE: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
TIME: 10 a.m. to noon Central Standard Time
WHERE: 3760 Alabama Highway 33, Moulton, AL 35650
BACKGROUND: The Bankhead National Forest (BNF) atmospheric observatory is part of DOE’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility. Researchers from DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory led the development of the science plan behind the BNF observatory. Their goal is to collect data on interactions between the forest and the atmosphere so scientists can make better predictions about the weather and climate in the Southeastern U.S. Scientists and technicians from DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory led the installation and are overseeing operation of the equipment. Many scientists from across the DOE complex — along with research partners at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and other universities and institutions — are participating in the studies. The BNF observatory, which will operate for five years, also has space to install guest instruments, and the team will offer educational opportunities for students.
TENTATIVE EVENT TIMELINE:
10:00 Media arrive at site
10:05 Nicki Hickmon, Argonne National Laboratory, ARM Associate Director for Operations
10:10 Gerald “Gary” Geernaert, DOE Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division Director
10:15 Andy Scott, U.S. of Department of Agriculture Forest Service, District Ranger
10:20 Chongai Kuang, Brookhaven National Laboratory, BNF site science team lead
10:25 Sean Freeman, University of Alabama in Huntsville researcher
10:30 Weather balloon launch
10:45 Break into small groups for facility tours
11:30 Tall tower walking tour, optional
Noon Conclude
REGISTRATION:
Media interested in attending must register in advance at this link. Upon completion, you’ll receive additional instructions to provide Real ID-compliant identification and complete a waiver form. Please note that visits by non-U.S. citizens require extra levels of approval which may add processing time.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This media event will take place one day prior to the scientific kickoff meeting for the BNF observatory. The meeting is an opportunity for interested researchers, community, and partners to join in learning about the BNF observatory and the associated opportunities for research. The agenda is available online. Media interested in attending any part of the December 4-5 meeting in addition to the December 3 media tour must also register for the meeting at this link.
RELATED LINKS:
For more information about the BNF observatory, including photos, videos, and other graphics, see these additional links:
DOE to Deploy Advanced Observatory to Alabama | Brookhaven National Laboratory
ARM’s Long-Awaited Alabama Observatory Set to Start
Photos, graphics, and videos related to the BNF observatory:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAqdU9
https://www.youtube.com/@armuserfacility9698/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=4
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Julie Parente, Argonne National Laboratory
Head of Communications, Computing, Environment and Life Sciences Directorate
630-252-2372
Rolanda Jundt, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
ARM Public Information Officer
509-308-3148
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The ARM user facility is funded by the DOE Office of Science.
The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit science.energy.gov.
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