Physical Processes Linking Solar Radiation and Solar Variability with Global Climate Change

December 2003 SORCE Science Meeting Science Program Review!

The Earth Observer Jan/Feb 2004 Vol. 16, No. 1: "The Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) Science Team Holds its First Meeting Since Launch"

Thanks to everyone who attended/presented at the December 2003 SORCE Science Meeting. This EOS Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) meeting was our first science meeting since the January 25, 2003 launch and it was a great success! The meeting was devoted to our understanding of the physical processes that connect the Sun’s radiation and its variability to our terrestrial environment, including the processes involved with climate and ozone response to solar radiative forcing and the mechanisms that cause solar activity and radiation variations. The agenda consisted of both invited and contributed oral presentations and posters. Scientific Sessions were given on the following topics:

 

The Lodge at Sonoma, Sonoma, California December 4 - 6, 2003

Co-Hosts:
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), University of Colorado, Boulder; NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA; Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, Sonoma, CA.

Science Program Organizers:
Judith Lean, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Washington, DC
Peter Pilewskie, NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Doug Rabin, NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD

Information Contact:
Phone: 303-492-5486, Fax: 303-735-4843, E-mail: vanessa.george@lasp.colorado.edu
Website: lasp.colorado.edu/sorce/Dec03ScienceMeeting.html

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The meeting began at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 4. Oral presentations were given throughout the day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning. Poster summaries and presentations were set up for viewing Thursday and Friday late afternoons, with a special poster reception sponsored by the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute occurring on Friday. Thursday evening there was a dinner planned, featuring Dr. John Eddy as the guest speaker. The dinner was an optional event, but all attendees were encouraged to join in.

The meeting included the following overview presentations:

Scientific sessions planned for the meeting, with the following confirmed speakers, were:

The featured speaker at the Science Meeting Dinner on Thursday evening, Dec. 4, will be Dr. John Eddy. He will be speaking on “Tales of the Sun and Climate”.

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LODGING

The Lodge at Sonoma 1325 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476 Reservation Deadline: November 1

The Lodge at Sonoma, 1325 Broadway, is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley wine country, just blocks from Sonoma Plaza. This first-class hotel offers magnificent views, golfing, hiking, and biking right outside its front door. The Lodge itself is a relaxing resort and full-service spa.

For more details on The Lodge at Sonoma and their amenities, visit their website at www.thelodgeatsonoma.com or call them at 707-935-6600.

TRANSPORTATION / DIRECTIONS

Getting to Sonoma –

BY AIR
You can book a direct flight into either San Francisco, Oakland, or Sacramento on several major carriers. Sonoma is approximately 35 miles from both the San Francisco and Oakland airports. If you fly into Oakland (slightly smaller than the San Francisco Airport) or Sacramento you will need to rent a car to get to Sonoma. If you fly into San Francisco International Airport, you have the additional option of taking the Sonoma Airporter shuttle service directly to The Lodge at Sonoma. There are approximately six shuttles each day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and the one-way fare is approximately $35. Reservations are required and they can be reached by calling 1-800-611-4246 or 707-938-4246. Their website is www.SonomaAirporter.com. Be sure to get the Sonoma Airporter pick-up location at the San Francisco Airport when you make your reservation.

BY CAR
Renting a car. Rental cars are available at any regional airport you fly into. We recommend that you make reservations in advance with the car rental company of your choice. Several companies you might find convenient are: Avis (888-837-1443), Hertz (800-654-2240), Alamo (800-462-5266), or National (800-227-7368).

Driving directions. MapQuest website -- www.mapquest.com (linked to The Lodge at Sonoma).
The Lodge at Sonoma address is 1325 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476.

From San Francisco International Airport: Take Highway 101 North to Golden Gate Bridge. Continue on 101 to 37 East toward Napa/Sonoma. Turn left at second light onto Highway 121 North. At the junction of Highway 116 and 121, bear right, then exit at Highway 12. Continue to Sonoma. The Lodge at Sonoma is at the corner of Leveroni Road and Broadway on Highway 12.

From Oakland Airport: Take I-880 North to downtown Oakland. Take I-980 East to Walnut Creek. Take I-580 to San Francisco/Hayward. Take 80 North (Vallejo/Sacramento). Take Richmond/San Rafael Bridge to Highway 101. Go North on Highway 101. Continue on 101 to 37 East toward Napa/Sonoma. Turn left at second light onto Highway 121 North. At the junction of Highway 116 and 121, bear right, then exit at Highway 12. Continue to Sonoma. The Lodge at Sonoma is at the corner of Leveroni Road and Broadway on Highway 12.

From Sacramento Airport: Take I-5 North toward Woodland. Take the Main Street Exit toward Woodland. Turn left on East Main Street. Turn left to take Highway 113 South toward Davis. Take I-80 West. Take Highway 12 North to Sonoma. The Lodge at Sonoma is at the corner of Leveroni Road and Broadway on Highway 12.

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SORCE Science Meeting Group Dinner: Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:00 p.m. There will be a Science Meeting Dinner Thursday for all attendees at The Lodge at Sonoma’s spectacular Stone Building in the heart of the valley. Everyone is encouraged to attend, and friends and family are welcome. The dinner will be prepared in The Lodge’s Restaurant Carneros, which recently was awarded the prestigious Wine Spectator Award. Meals are creatively prepared in-house using local and organic Sonoma products. The Lodge’s head chef recently received the coveted American Culinary of Excellence Award, which is an international award given yearly. We will begin with light appetizers on the garden patio, with views of the famous California vineyards in the distance. For dinner we have selected a limited menu of their favorite meals to choose from. Please mark your selection on the Registration Form. Choices are: Herb-Crusted Sea Bass – Herb-crusted sea bass with warm wild mushroom vinaigrette. Vegetarian Lasagna – Lasagna of wild mushrooms, grilled vegetables, house-made pasta and truffled nage. Double-Cut Pork Chop – Grilled double-cut pork chop with butternut squash gratin and caramelized apples. Tickets: $48. Includes: Light appetizers, salad, entrée, appropriate accompaniments, beverage (non-alcohol), dessert, and gratuity and tax. There will be a cash bar for all alcoholic beverages. Guest Speaker – Dr. John Eddy “Tales of the Sun and Climate”

 

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SONOMA, CALIFORNIA

Sonoma is a wonderful vacation destination, so you might want bring the family and come early or stay the weekend to enjoy this special place in the heart of California wine country. The Sonoma Valley is cradled between two mountainous ranges surrounding 17 miles of vineyard lands. This is the birthplace of the California wine industry and home to dozens of award-winning wines. Besides boasting two of the oldest wineries in California (Glen Ellen and Sebastiani), Sonoma is well known for it historic Town Square with its many boutiques and fine restaurants, all nestled under enormous shade trees. For local activities and information on nearby highlights, contact the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau at 1-707-996-1090 or go on-line to www.sonomavalley.com. The county of Sonoma also has an interesting website with local happenings – www.sonomacounty.com.

SONOMA VALLEY ACTIVITIES

Sonoma Valley is not lacking in fun and interesting things to do! The Lodge at Sonoma concierge (707-935-6600) can assist you in planning your visit. Please consider the following ideas when planning your leisure time:

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SPECIAL EVENT

Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: Saturday, Dec. 6, 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
After a busy week of meetings, enjoy an afternoon tour of the local wineries that made Sonoma famous! This will be a special journey to the historic and family-owned wineries in the area. Jake’s Valley Wine Tours will pick our group up at The Lodge at Sonoma for a scenic drive up the valley to three unique wineries, where you will be treated to private tastings. Your winery hosts and tour guide will educate you on the world of wine and offer a behind the scenes glimpse. Friends and family are welcome on this special tour.

One of the stops will be at the Benziger Family Winery, where you will wander through a century-old ranch with farmhouse, tasting room, and art gallery. A tram will take you through the vineyards to the top of a hill crowned with an Acropolis temple. The view from the ridge top is breathtaking! In the tasting room you will be treated to their reserved wines and learn about their organic stewardship.

We will also visit Gundlach Bundschu, which is the oldest family winery in the country. They have been growing wine grapes for over 143 years! After a special outdoor tasting (weather permitting), we will go on a cave tour and discuss wood and the taste imparted on the wine. Gundlach Bundschu is best known for it Gewurztraminer and Bearitage wines. They grow sixteen different veritals and have won many gold medals.

Finally, we will visit the home site of the father of California viniculture, Count Agoston Harazity, which is known as Bartholomew Park Winery. This beautiful location has a 4000 case winery. The wines are exceptional and are made in the French style. This winery has a very unique history in that it has been used for many other things in its past, including a morgue, school, brothel, and a hospital. Within the building is a fascinating museum, which will take you back to the early days of viticulture.

Tickets: $75. Includes transportation, guided tour, and wine tastings.

WEATHER

December in Sonoma is wonderful, with cool mornings and evenings, and warm afternoons. The temperatures average a high of 60° F and a low of 37° F in early December. The key is to “layer” since you never can tell this time of year in California. Rain is common in December. The following website could be helpful to check before you pack -- www.weather.com (linked to Sonoma, CA local weather).

SPECIAL NEEDS

LASP is committed to making this Science Meeting accessible to all participants. If you require special arrangements, please contact Vanessa George, LASP, 303-492-5486.