DUST-2: Towards a more efficient (interactive) documentation and validation of scientific information demonstrated with ozone, water vapour and other selected data of the earth's atmosphere

Abstract

The exponential growth of geophysical information must lead inevitably to a better access to geophysical information for science and education, especially if the resources shrink and the cost-efficiency ratio needs to be improved predominantly for the (non commercial and insufficient rich) users, who suffer from the fast rising information retrieval costs, now charged by nearly all major information systems. (This is, however, different in the U.S.A. because of the 'freedom of information act'). That a better access means essentially more than just faster and more information is demonstrated with the DUST-2 CD-ROM (Data Utilization Software Tools). As a result of an international MPAe pilot project (FKZ.: 50 EE 98038) this CD-ROM has been published in September 2000 under ISBN 3-9804862-3-0. It was conceived predominantly for scientific technical purposes and can be regarded as a continuation of the work which was started in 1985 at MPAe to edit a Landolt-Bornstein data handbook 'The Upper Atmosphere'. The DUST-2 concept is an example for an interactive, flexible interface and qualifying filter, although only a first step-matching several different non uniformly formatted data sources. The DUST-2 CD provides graphical methods of qualified information retrieval. It allows a synergetic combination of selected information of the Earth's atmosphere, texts and relevant numerical data for the topics ozone and water vapour. The software tools can be applied in principle to any data base. In the first chapter of this introductory paper 9 other papers are briefly described that show the scientific-technical background of the new and upgraded classical information processing DUST-2 'tools'. They still need to be stronger interrelated. The 'joint retrieval method' allows an optimal, value added, data validation. This is demonstrated with a combination of temperature data from the Millimeter-wave Atmospheric Sounder (MAS) with corresponding ones from a GRAS sensor (GRAS: Combined GPS-GLONASS receiver). The impressively good results strongly support the concept of a relevant technologically feasible MAS Follow-on/GRAS experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). See paper 4. The (dynamic) DUST-2 concept will contribute - from a qualitative and temporal aspect - to a reduction of the insufficient supply of (general, actual) understandable geophysical information. It has been successfully demonstrated with 8 posters at the 25th General Assembly of the European Geophysical Society (EGS). The DUST-2 CD-ROM can be ordered via Copernicus Gesellschaft e. V., Max-Planck Str. 13, D-37191 Katlenburg- Lindau, Germany; shipping and handling 12 EUR or via URL: www.copernicus.org. The ADLATUS concept - still in the planning and fundraising phase - supplements the DUST -2 concept and puts special emphasis on educational aspects. It will also provide links to the Geographic Information System (GIS). In context with this enlarged ADLATUS concept an essential continuation of the earlier discontinued Landolt-Bornstein 'Upper Atmosphere' activities is possible and should lead to an 'ADLATUS Atmosphere'. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.