Remote sensing technology and atmospheric science & water management brought together.
With PHARA we bring together a team of experts to create a first-of-its-kind research infrastructure for atmospheric and weather sciences: a fast-scanning phased-array radar in Ku-band with polarization diversity. PHARA will enable to track continuously cloud volumes and measure microphysical processes directly with a minimum of assumptions.
The Radar
PHARA provides the ability to track a specific sky volume with unprecedented resolution. By using Ku-band this radar will bridge the gap in observation between traditional precipitation radars and cloud profilers and provide data highly demanded both for cloud physics and precipitation analysis. It will enable further research with routine measurement and simulation of atmospheric dynamics and physics at turbulence-resolving resolution. Moreover, PHARA will be installed on a transportable platform (chassis), which will allow taking measurements at various locations
The Team
To create PHARA, we bring together an outstanding multidisciplinary consortium with expertise both in remote sensing technology and in atmospheric science & water management. This expertise is delivered to the consortium by the world’s foremost research groups on radar meteorology and remote sensing (TU Delft, KNMI), phased-array antennas (ASTRON, TU Eindhoven), and atmospheric physics (RU Groningen), in close cooperation with knowledge institutes, such as the NWO institute Astron, research labs (TNO & KNMI), and Robin Radar Systems.
The Purpose
Supplementing the radar facilities of the Ruisdael Observatory, the new radar will be the first of its kind with major impact on not just atmospheric sciences, but also on weather forecasting, extreme weather warnings, electromagnetic wave-based sensing, hydrology and water management. We will also initiate activities to exploit the radar for multiple different functions, such as airport surveillance for wind shear and air traffic control, wind turbines and road traffic management, monitoring birds and sea-life, serving many research communities at the same time.
“PHARA will be designed and built in such a way that it will provide resolution in space at an unprecedented level.”
Alexander Yarovoy