Presenting the Rain-Sea Interaction Facility

The Rain-Sea Interaction Facility (RSIF), established in 1993, is at GSFC/WFF. It provides a controlled environment for studies of (a) microwave scattering from rain generated features and (b) physical processes at the air-water interface and in the adjacent boundary layers. A notable benefit of the RSIF is the ability to systematically examine water surfaces roughened by artificial rain, for which the droplets are at terminal velocity. Future investigations will be directed towards deriving models to support applications of remote sensing data, and the authors encourage those interested in receiving further information or participating in cooperative research to contact them.