Films
For Verner Suomi, the visual display of data and information gathered from experiments was a cornerstone of his work. Included here are films from the Applications Technology Satellite (ATS) experiments featuring the Spin-Scan Cloud Camera along with Suomi’s explanation of geostationary orbit.
Film 1: Weather in Motion and Color: From ATS-III Synchronous Satellite
Film 2: Mesoscale Cloud Motions from ATS Synchronous Satellites
Film 3: Tornado Situations Over the United States, 23 April 1968
Film 4: Detailed Views of Mesoscale Cloud Patterns filmed from ATS-I
Film 5: ATS-I Spin-Scan Cloud Camera Experiment in Japan
Film 6: 1968 Hurricane Watch Experiment
Film 7: 1968 Barbados Experiment – May, June, and July
Film 8: First Color Movie of the Planet Earth Viewed from 22,300 Miles Over Brazil
Film 9: Weather in Motion from the ATS-I Synchronous Satellite
Film 10: Verner Suomi Explains Geostationary Orbit
Film 1: Weather in Motion and Color: From ATS-III Synchronous Satellite
Weather in motion and color: From ATS-III synchronous satellite, by V.E. Suomi, A.F. Hasler, R.J. Parent, and J. Kornfield. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA), n.d. 10 minutes. Schwerdtfeger Library Film #20.
Abstract:
Brief background information on ATS-III satellite. Cyclone over E Coast of the United States and Canada on 18 November 1967. Coverage of Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, cyclone over NE Atlantic, intersection of cloud jets leaving N Africa. Equatorial Atlantic, stratus leaving the coast of Chile, and a cyclone approaching the tip of South America.
See also: Weather in motion: A commentary on the series of pictures taken by the ATS-III satellite. Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Space Science and Engineering Center, [1968].
Film 2: Mesoscale Cloud Motions from ATS Synchronous Satellites
Mesoscale cloud motions from ATS synchronous satellites, by V.E. Suomi, A.F. Hasler, and J. Kornfield. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA), n.d. 12 minutes, silent, black and white. Schwerdtfeger Library Film #3.
Abstract:
A.) ATS-I: cloud waves associated with polar jet on 19 February 1967; Easterly waves in the SE Pacific; complete days for 13-24 April 1967 (dates shown in each frame); Typhoon Sarah for 31 August-22 September 1967; B.) ATS-III: snowstorm over E Coast of US and Canada; cyclone over western Atlantic and jet stream over north Africa; fog leaving coast of Chile and cold front approaching tip of SouthAmerica; tornado watch over United States on 19 April 1968.
Film 3: Tornado Situations Over the United States, 23 April 1968
Tornado situations over the United States, 23 April 1968, by V.E. Suomi, Tetsuya.T. Fujita and Vincent J. Oliver. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA), n.d. 9 minutes, silent, color. Schwerdtfeger Library Film #7:
The Schwerdtfeger Library is currently unable to offer this film online. It is available at the library.
Abstract:
Thirteen part, time lapse satellite film showing cloud movements in area of intense tornado activity. Close up views of tornado area with tornadoes shown as red dots and hail as blue dots. Covers part of the United States and Mexico surrounding the tornado area on 23 April 1968.
Film 4: Detailed Views of Mesoscale Cloud Patterns filmed from ATS-I
Detailed views of mesoscale cloud patterns filmed from ATS-I, by T. Fujita and Walter A. Bohan. Directed by Verner E. Suomi. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA), n.d. 9 minutes, silent, color. Schwerdtfeger Library Film #17:
The Schwerdtfeger Library is currently unable to offer this film online. It is available at the library.
Abstract:
Four part film of 7-8 January 1967: 1) full disc global time lapse segment; 2) global views with surface analyses superimposed for the 7th(1800Z) and 8th(0000Z); 3) time lapse showing close ups of NW, NE, Central, SW and SE Pacific Ocean; 4) time lapse using ATS and ESSA pictures (run forward and back) for N, E, and Central Pacific Ocean, New Zealand, Sea of Japan, Hawaii, Line Islands, California, Tokelau, Vostok Island, Marquesas, Tubuai Island, and Fiji.
Film 5: ATS-I Spin-Scan Cloud Camera Experiment in Japan
ATS-I Spin Scan Cloud Camera Experiment in Japan, by V.E. Suomi and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Meteorological Research Institute of Japan and the Radio Research Laboratory of Japan, n.d. 5 minutes, silent, black and white. Schwerdtfeger Library Film #16.
Abstract:
Collection of satellite pictures presumably collected during the experiment; 1) still satellite pictures showing full disc views for 14(2155Z), 17(2240Z), and 18(2130Z) January and 16(2145Z), 17(2210Z), 18(2220Z) and 19(2205Z) February 1970; 2) Photographic mean of the above photos; 3) cloud motions showing change between 2145Z and 2345Z on 18 February 1970; 4) Mercator projection of cloud patterns on 20 February 1970 at 000Z; 5) pressure, streamline, and 300mb streamline fields for 000Z on 20 February 1970.
Film 6: 1968 Hurricane Watch Experiment
1968 hurricane watch experiment, by V.E. Suomi, T.T. Fujita, and V.J. Oliver. University of Chicago, Geophysical Sciences Department, Satellite Meteorology Research Project and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA), n.d. 12 minutes, silent, color. Schwerdtfeger Library Film #2.
The Schwerdtfeger Library is currently unable to offer this film online. It is available at the library.
Abstract:
ATS-III images showing Hurricane Abby (3-6 June 1968), Hurricane Brenda (21 June 1968), and Hurricane Candy (22-23 June 1968). Dates shown at the start of each day.
Film 7: 1968 Barbados Experiment – May, June, and July
1968 Barbados experiment movie – May, June, and July, by V.E. Suomi and S. Cox. Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA), BOMEX Project Office, n.d. 12 minutes, silent, black and white. Schwerdtfeger Library Film #9.
Abstract:
Daily cloud motions over Barbados from the ATS-III satellite. Dates are given.
Film 8: First Color Movie of the Planet Earth Viewed from 22,300 Miles Over Brazil
First color movie of the planet Earth viewed from 22,300 miles over Brazil, by Verner E. Suomi, Robert J. Parent and T.T. Fujita. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA), n.d. 11 minutes, silent, color. Schwerdtfeger Library Film #24.
Abstract:
ATS-III Satellite photos of 18 November 1967, with surface weather analysis for full disk view. Close ups include: United States, Canada, Greenland, Mexico, Caribbean, Barbados, Galapagos, Easter Island, Peru, Amazon, SE Brazil, Central Andes, Southern Andes, Chile, Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena, Ascention Island, Equatorial Atlantic, W Africa, Sahara, Canary Islands, Azores, and Bermuda.
Film 9: Weather in Motion from the ATS-I Synchronous Satellite
Weather in motion from the ATS-I synchronous satellite, by Verner E. Suomi, A.F. Hasler, and J. Kornfield. Produced by Jack Lund, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Department of Photography, n.d. 12 minutes, silent, black and white. Schwerdtfeger Library Film #14.
Abstract:
Four parts 1) full disc time lapse for 7 January 1967, 19 February 1967, 16 April 1967; 2) close up views of cloud waves associated with a polar jet, 19 February 1967; 2) one picture per day showing a month’s weather for 21 January-28 February 1967; 4) close up views of birth and death of a hurricane, 6-15 April 1967.
Film 10: Verner Suomi Explains Geostationary Orbit
Click on the thumbnail image of Dr. Suomi on the left to watch him explain geostationary orbit. Geostationary orbit occurs at roughly six times the earth’s radius above the equator. The orbital period is 24 hours, equaling the one day rotation of the Earth on its axis.