GOES Satellites Improve Weather Monitoring and Forecasting

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The game of go, with its infinite combinations of moves and possible outcomes, is a formidable challenge for computers. In fact, no computer has ever beaten a human at the game in its entirety, but a few have come close. The latest breakthrough comes from a system that uses artificial intelligence to learn, rather than brute force, the optimal way to play a given position on the 19-by-19 board. The key to this approach is deep learning, which draws on techniques that are a distant relative of the neuronal circuits that govern the brain. This is the same technology that has recently enabled breakout performances in automatic image recognition, identifying things like dogs, cats and trees.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is on track to launch GOES-T on March 1 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This satellite will replace GOES-17 in the GOES-West orbital position, which provides advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements of the western United States.

Located 22,236 miles above Earth’s equator, the geostationary GOES (Geosynchronous Operational Environmental Satellite) system has been a basic element of U.S. weather monitoring and forecasting since the launch of SMS-1 in 1974. The procurement, design and manufacture of GOES satellites are overseen by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. NOAA operates the satellites and corresponding ground systems for data transmission.

A key component of the GOES system is a network of radars, which track severe thunderstorms and other meteorological phenomena as they move across the country. Several NOAA National Weather Service offices, including the offices in San Francisco and Miami, rely on these images to provide detailed information that can save lives. The GOES satellites can also detect lightning strikes and monitor air pollutants.

In addition to the main weather sensors, GOES satellites feature sounders that probe the atmosphere for vertical temperature and water-vapor structures. These instruments help NOAA monitor volcanic eruptions and associated ash plumes, which can affect aviation safety.

The GOES-R series, which launched 19 November 2016, is the most sophisticated geostationary environmental satellites NOAA has ever built. The four-satellite series will improve observation of weather and climate events that directly impact public safety, property protection and the nation’s economy and prosperity.

GOES-R will feature faster image refresh rates than its predecessors, significantly improving the temporal cadence of the observations it transmits to NOAA National Weather Service offices and other users. It will deliver critical atmospheric, hydrologic, oceanographic, climatic and solar-geophysical data to central processing centers and directly to users through GBR, EMWIN and the High Rate Information Transmission (HRIT) service. This includes an expanded hemispheric coverage and improved response times for volcanic ash, wildfires and fog. GOES-R will also have enhanced capabilities for detecting and communicating with space weather phenomena, such as coronaviruses. The $11 billion program consists of four satellites, an extensive land system of satellite dishes and new methods for crunching the massive stream of expected data. The GOES-R system will operate for 14 years.

The Importance of Being Nice

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Nice is a word that gets thrown around a lot. It’s used to describe people who are polite, thoughtful, and generally well-behaved. But there’s a lot more to being nice than meets the eye. Some people use the term to mean they’re agreeable and easy-going, while others take it a step further to describe someone who is benevolent and compassionate. Regardless of how you use the word, being nice takes work and requires a level of self-control that can be difficult for some people to master.

A nice person is someone who likes to make other people happy. Whether it’s baking them a cake, offering words of encouragement, or helping them out with a tough situation, they are always looking for ways to make others smile. Nice people often find that the act of making other people happy makes them feel good as well. This positive feedback loop is a great way to reduce social anxiety and become more comfortable in public settings.

When you’re nice, you treat everyone equally. You don’t favour certain friends over others, and you’re genuinely happy for anyone who achieves their goals. Nice people also show respect for other people’s views, even if they disagree with them.

Nice people are willing to compromise their values in order to keep the peace. They may even sacrifice friendships or relationships in the name of being nice. This can be problematic, especially when the sacrifice is made in the face of personal integrity. Nice people don’t often stand up for their beliefs, and they will be led astray by peer pressure and the desire to please others.

Being nice can be a tiring job, and it’s important for nice people to take time out for themselves. They should try to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise, as these simple activities help them feel balanced and healthy. They should also practice gratitude and try to remember the good things that happen in their day. This will help them to focus less on negative situations that can cause stress and depression.

It’s important for nice people to set boundaries and stick to them. This means refusing to be a doormat for other people and setting firm limits with their colleagues. They should also clearly communicate their expectations, standards of performance, and meeting types. This will help to eliminate ambiguity, which feeds toxic niceness.

The distinction between nice and kind is often blurred, as they are both considered to be positive traits. However, it’s important to note that niceness and kindness can be mutually exclusive. For example, someone could be nice in one sense by holding the door for a stranger without being kind to them.

Being nice takes a lot of energy, self-control, and empathy. It can be exhausting and lead to burnout, especially when you’re constantly sacrificing your own needs for those of others. So if you find yourself being too nice, don’t be afraid to speak up and stand up for your values.

What Is Good?

Good is an adjective that describes something that is positive or desirable in nature. Good things are usually preferred over bad ones, and they can be used to describe many different kinds of things: a good book, a nice house, or a good joke, for example.

Moreover, good can also refer to moral qualities: a good person, a good teacher, or a good deed. A good person is typically admired and respected by others. A good deed is usually a kind of action or statement that benefits someone else, but it can also be an act or statement that simply makes a person feel better about himself or herself.

For a long time, philosophers have studied the concept of good. One of the earliest such studies came from Immanuel Kant, who discussed the concept in his Critique of Practical Reason. Kant’s discussions of good are often thought to be foundational for modern ethical and philosophical discussions of the concept.

Traditionally, philosophical discussions of good have focused on the idea that there are some actions and behaviors that are intrinsically morally right or wrong. More recently, however, philosophers have shifted to focus on the idea that good is a matter of what is valuable and important in a given context. This is sometimes called the hedonistic view of the good.

A key issue in philosophical discussions of the good is whether or not goods are universal. For example, some people think that there are certain things that are good for everyone, such as clean water or free speech. Other people, however, believe that the notion of what is good is more complicated and varies by culture and circumstance.

In addition to considering the question of what is good, philosophers have also debated how to determine what is good. Some have argued that goodness is determined by the effects that a particular activity has on the person who is doing it. Other philosophers, including Moore, have argued that the good is a matter of what will ultimately bring about a certain outcome or result: the “good” of an action can be understood as the property or quality that will cause it to lead to a desired effect.

In everyday language, good is commonly used as an adjective after linking verbs such as taste, smell, look, or feel: This soup tastes good. The dress looks good on you. It is also common to use the word as an adverb, especially after forms of the verb do: He did good on the test. This usage, however, is usually not acceptable in formal or edited writing. See Usage Note at well2.

What is a Bicycle?

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A bicycle is a two-wheeled vehicle propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars. When humans on foot compete in the contest of locomotion efficiency, they come in about as ungainly as sheep and just ahead of condors. But when on a bicycle, they beat both of them and even dogs. There are a lot of reasons to ride a bike, from the simple pleasures of speed and freedom to the health benefits of exercise and social interaction. Some people choose to bike because it’s easier on joints than running or walking, and cycling can be done at low intensity for those recovering from injury or illness. Others find the bike to be a fun way to commute and avoid traffic.

A bike’s frame and fork are typically made from a metal such as steel or aluminum alloy. Many higher-end models feature suspension seat posts and springs to cushion the rider’s body against road vibrations and bumps. The handlebars, crankset, and chain are usually also metal. The wheels and tires may be plastic, rubber, or a combination of both. The wheel diameter is important for stability and control, but the tire’s tread pattern, width, and shape are critical for traction and speed.

The bicycle is the most popular mechanized form of transportation in the world, used by millions of people for work and recreation. It’s often viewed as a symbol of modernity, with its clean lines and fusion of human and machine. Simone de Beauvoir, for example, writes that the pale-blue bicycle in her second novel “The Blood of Others” is “so lissom, so slender, it seemed to cut through the air.”

Cycling has several environmental and health benefits. It reduces air pollution, lowering the level of harmful chemicals and particles that affect the environment and human health. It also eliminates the need to buy and operate motorized vehicles, which consume oil and produce exhaust. In cities, it reduces congestion and noise pollution. Moreover, the rider is not exposed to the roar of automobile engines, which can cause stress and noise-related health problems.

Cycling is a fun, inexpensive, and convenient mode of transportation. Its popularity has increased dramatically worldwide, especially in developing nations. In some cities, it has even replaced cars as the primary mode of transport. It is easy to learn, and riders can continue it for life at a lower intensity than other sports and physical activities. And, unlike other sports that require expensive equipment and special locations or times to be enjoyed, the bicycle is accessible to almost anyone, regardless of income, education, or fitness level. This accessibility makes it a viable option for people who would otherwise not participate in recreational or sport activities. In fact, biking can be a gateway to more rigorous physical activities and other healthy lifestyles. This, in turn, contributes to a healthier population and a more sustainable planet. Moreover, it provides a safe and effective means of mobility for people with disabilities.

GOES-17 Launches Today

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The GOES program is NOAA’s most sophisticated geostationary weather satellite series, built and operated in collaboration with NASA. Since 1975 GOES satellites have provided continuous imagery and data on atmospheric conditions, solar activity (space weather), and other phenomena that directly affect public safety, property protection and our nation’s economic health and prosperity.

GOES satellites are constantly on the lookout for atmospheric “triggers” that lead to severe thunderstorms, flash floods, hurricanes, and other severe weather events. These satellites also monitor the development of snowstorms and track ice fields, as well as provide data for local and regional forecasts.

Each GOES satellite has two primary operational locations: GOES East at 75 degrees West, covering the eastern half of the United States; and GOES West at 135 degrees West, over the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, NOAA maintains an on-orbit spare GOES satellite in the event of an anomaly or failure.

Once a satellite is launched and fully checked out, it is declared to be ready for duty and is assigned an operational location. This new satellite, GOES-17, will be positioned in the GOES-West position after a few weeks to become operational and start providing advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements, real time mapping of lightning activity, and improved monitoring of solar activity and space weather.

GOES-17 has six high-tech instruments onboard that will gather a variety of data for meteorologists to use. Its Imager will capture images of Earth in visible and infrared wavelengths. The Sounder will measure atmospheric temperature, moisture, and other information at different heights in the atmosphere, such as vertical air velocity, cloud top temperatures, water vapor distribution, and ozone levels.

The Sounder instrument will be able to detect the presence of water vapor at lower altitudes than previous GOES spacecraft. This allows meteorologists to observe the growth of a storm from the ground up, and issue more precise rainfall estimates for flood warnings. The instrument will also be able to identify the presence of mesoscale convection, which is the movement of individual clouds over a large area.

In addition, the Sounder will collect temperature and moisture data of the ocean surface. This will provide valuable information on the current state of our seas, which is critical to understanding the effects of changing climate.

The Imager and Sounder will deliver their data to a number of networks. This includes a direct satellite link (GRB), a satellite augmentation network (SBN) and terrestrial networks such as CLASS and the Emergency Managers Weather Information Network. GOES-17 will also utilize the new Low Rate Information Transmission (LRIT) service to increase the dissemination of imagery and data to a wider audience than before.

How to Be a Nice Person

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A nice person is friendly, pleasant, and polite. They often go out of their way to help others and treat everyone with respect. They also make an effort to keep their own emotions in check. Nice people are also empathetic, which allows them to understand the feelings of others. They may even hold a “safe space” for those around them to express their true feelings without fear of judgment. Being a nice person can be a huge asset in business, as it can help foster loyalty and trust among coworkers. However, it is important to be aware that there are some downsides to being too nice. When the need to be a nice person trumps authentic communication and honesty, it can lead to manipulation and a lack of transparency. For example, a person who has to repress their true thoughts or emotions in order to be nice may have a hard time keeping those feelings under control and could end up snapping at a colleague when under pressure. Additionally, being too nice can create a culture of complicity, where people pretend to be nice but actually engage in back-channel discussions and kangaroo courts.

Being a nice person can also be difficult to manage when it comes to relationships. Nice people tend to want to please their partners, which can lead them to stay in bad relationships for too long. In addition, they may put their self-worth on the line in order to change toxic people and end up getting hurt.

If you find yourself struggling to balance being a nice person with being genuine, try some of these strategies:

Be honest with yourself. Nice people are not afraid to admit when they’ve done something wrong, and they do their best to work on those shortcomings. Nice people also know when they need to pause and take a step back before criticizing someone else.

Practice mindfulness and gratitude. When you focus on the positive things in life, it can be easier to let go of negative emotions. It’s also helpful to remember the little acts of kindness that other people do for you throughout the day, like holding the door or saying thank you.

Embrace authenticity. Nice people are not afraid to be themselves, and they are not concerned about pleasing others. Being authentic can be challenging at times, but it’s a lot more rewarding in the long run.

Listen actively. Nice people are genuinely interested in what other people have to say and are attentive during conversations. They are also open to learning about different cultures, lifestyles, and opinions.

Nice people also have a lot to offer, so they are willing to lend a helping hand when needed. They may even volunteer their services to benefit the community or a charity of their choice. In addition, they are kind to themselves by practicing healthy habits such as exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep. It’s important to note that being a nice person can be beneficial for your mental health, as it lowers stress levels and helps you feel connected to other people.

The Concept of Good

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The term good refers to various concepts of value and preference, often in the context of morality, philosophy, religion, or ethics. It may also refer to the quality of an object or service. In the broadest sense, good is a positive evaluation. A person or thing that is good is desirable, virtuous, or beneficial.

The concept of good has long fascinated philosophers, with a number of theories developing around the topic. Some theories of good focus on the nature and meaning of goodness as such; others have metaphysical implications, while still others concern the relationship between facts and values. The concept of good is central to morality and ethics, though it is also important in philosophy, anthropology, and other fields.

Whether a writer is discussing the virtues of a certain type of food or discussing how to teach children good manners, an effective article will engage and inspire its readers. It should begin with an attention-grabbing hook and offer real-life examples to demonstrate the point being made.

Articles should be as concise as possible while still retaining all of the information needed to make the point being discussed. It is crucial to break up longer paragraphs into shorter ones, using bullet points or numbered lists to enhance readability. In addition, using pictures and videos to illustrate the points being made can be an effective way to draw in readers.

In the Bible, the word good (as an adjective) appears in many places, in various forms and translations. For example, in Matthew 18:8, “good” is substituted for “better”; and in Luke 5:39, it is replaced by “honest.” In the New Testament, the word good is sometimes translated as “excellent,” which can have a similar meaning to the biblical term shalom.

Among philosophical theories of the good, the most prominent are utilitarianism, which focuses on the consequences of an action and the balance between competing values; and virtue ethics, which argues that a person’s character should be based on principles of fairness and excellence in all aspects of life. Other ethical theories involving the good are naturalism, which holds that the good is an intrinsic property of all things; and deontology, which deals with the moral duty of a person or group to act in a certain way.

The word good is also used to describe people or things:

A good person is kind, generous, and benevolent. He or she is also obedient and well-behaved. A good meal is tasty and healthy. A good friend is someone who listens and cares about you.

The English word good is a loanword from Proto-Germanic *godaz, related to German gut (“good”) and Old Norse god (“pleasant, fit, satisfactory”). It is cognate with West Frisian goed (“good”), Dutch goed (“good”), Swedish god(“good”, “honest”), Danish god (“good”), Icelandic goda (“good”), Lithuanian guodas (“honor”), and Albanian dial. hut (“gather, fit”). It is also a cognate of the Latin word bonum (“honor, worth”).

What Is a Bicycle?

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A bicycle (also known as a pedal cycle, pushbike or cycle) is a human-powered, two-wheeled machine for transporting people. It has a frame with two wheels, one in front of the other, and a crank-driven chain connecting the pedals to the rear wheel. Its users are called cyclists. Cycling is a fun and effective form of exercise, as well as a great way to get around town. It is also a great way to keep in shape, and can be as intense or as relaxing as the rider chooses.

Unlike some other sports, cycling is easy to learn, and requires relatively low levels of physical skill. In fact, many adults and even some young children are able to ride a bike. It is an efficient mode of transport, and can be used in place of cars and buses on most urban routes. In addition, it is inexpensive, quiet, and environmentally friendly.

The modern bicycle evolved from the velocipede, a high-wheeler of the early 1800s that resembled a carriage with a huge front wheel and a seat back-to-front. James Starley in Coventry added a crank-driven mechanism, and the bicycle was born. The pneumatic tire and the chain drive revolutionized bicycling in the later 1800s.

Today’s bicycles are made out of a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber. These materials allow designers to make lightweight and durable frames that can handle a wide range of uses. They can be made to suit almost any rider, from a fast road racer to a casual recreational cyclist.

When comparing bikes, it is important to understand how they are designed for different types of riding. Upright or “safety” bicycles are designed to be as efficient as possible for commuting, while off-road and racing bikes require more stiffness and speed.

It is also important to remember that bicycles are tools for transportation, and must be ridden safely to protect both the rider and other road users. Some simple safety precautions include wearing a helmet, using lights in poor visibility, and signaling turns to other road users. In most areas, bicyclists are legally allowed to use the same lanes as automobiles, and should be treated as equals of traffic.

In the United States, bicycles are the most popular means of transportation. In 2014, about 94 million Americans rode a bike to work, school or other activities. This is a significant increase over 2007, when only about 71 million people rode bicycles. This growth in popularity is largely due to the health benefits of cycling, as well as a decrease in the price of bicycles and improvements in cycling infrastructure. The popularity of electric bicycles is growing as well, as they offer a way for people to get around without needing to own a car. This is especially helpful in places like Manhattan, where parking is limited and traffic is heavy. In China, the bicycle is so popular that Deng Xiaoping once said that prosperity in the country would require “a Flying Pigeon in every household.” This was intended as a political symbol, to promote industrial development.

Anything Goes With GOES-R

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The song “Anything Goes” is a classic from the musical “Guys and Dolls,” originally staged in 1934. Its lyrics are full of wit, double-entendres and sexual innuendos that speak to contemporary audiences. The music and lyrics were composed by the renowned composer/lyricist Cole Porter. He is one of only a few people to have written both music and words for popular songs.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has operated geostationary operational environmental satellites (GOES) since 1975. These spacecraft hover in a geosynchronous orbit 35,790 kilometers (22,300 miles) above Earth and continuously monitor atmospheric conditions. GOES data has led to improved weather forecasts, including those for tropical storms and hurricanes. Its products also support search and rescue operations, as well as a better understanding of long-term climate conditions.

GOES satellites are designed to operate for up to 14 years. The GOES-R series of satellites will provide a wide array of regional environmental imagery and specialized meteorological, oceanographic, solar-geophysical, and other data to central processing centers and direct users. GOES-R will feature enhanced capability, reduced latency, and full hemispheric coverage.

The GOES-R series of satellites is being developed to replace the aging GOES A through C spacecraft, which have been in orbit for more than 40 years. The first of these GOES-R satellites, called GOES 16 or GOES-R 1, is scheduled to be launched in 2018. It will join the existing three GOES satellites in geostationary orbit and will be known as GOES West.

In addition to imaging and radars, the GOES-R satellites will have a suite of instruments to provide real-time information on the near-Earth solar-terrestrial electromagnetic environment, including solar flares, geomagnetic storms and high-latitude space weather. This information is critical to military and commercial radio wave and satellite communication and navigation systems, as well as electric power networks, space station astronauts and high altitude aviators.

Each GOES-R satellite will carry two primary payload instruments: an imager and a sounder. The imager will sense infrared radiant energy and visible radiated solar energy that are reflected from the surface and atmosphere of Earth. The sounder will measure vertical atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles, as well as cloud top temperatures.

GOES-R 1 will be equipped with an Advanced Baseline Imager that has three times the number of spectral channels and five times the scanning speed of previous GOES satellites. It will also have the new SUVI (Solar UV Imager), EXIS (Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors) and SEISS (Space Environment Monitoring Instrument). These three sensors are all based on technology that was successfully demonstrated on the GOES-13 satellite in 2011.

The Virtue of Nice

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If you’ve ever met a nice person, you know that they are a pleasure to be around. They make others feel good, inspire great conversations and are a huge asset to any team. People who work alongside them are happy to do so, and they tend to have a bigger pool of genuine friends than others. Nice people also genuinely care about other people, and they will always go out of their way to help those who need it.

However, there is a problem with this kind of niceness that has been abused in many organizations. When you have leaders who encourage this type of fake niceness, it can lead to toxic environments that breed mistrust and dysfunction. People in these types of cultures feel like they are being coerced into “niceness,” and as a result, their true personalities get hidden beneath a mask of civility. In addition, these individuals often lack the skills needed to manage conflict and difficult situations.

This is because the word nice has a broad meaning that can be applied to any kind of behavior. A person could be nice in a general sense by smiling and having good manners, or they could be nice in an organizational context by showing deference to the hierarchy. The latter definition of nice can be especially dangerous in a fear-based culture, where people are encouraged to be nice to one another as a way of avoiding repercussions from higher ups.

A good leader will ensure that their people are not being taken advantage of by encouraging a more realistic definition of nice. They will clarify the expectations that they have for their people, and they will ensure that everyone understands the type of behavior that is acceptable in meetings and other workplace settings.

For example, a good leader will make sure that their people know that it is not okay to participate in back-channel conversation or hold kangaroo courts in meetings. They will also explain the importance of intellectual honesty and candid feedback.

In addition, a good leader will be willing to stand up for their people and call out those who are not being nice in a respectful way. This is important because it will ensure that everyone knows who they can trust. It will also prevent leaders from creating a false sense of unity and safety by spreading a veneer of niceness that actually masks an atmosphere of fear and distrust.

Nice is a virtue that can be abused if you do not have clear expectations about how people should behave. If you want to be a truly nice person, it is essential that you have clear boundaries and that these are not negotiable. Otherwise, you will find yourself being walked all over by those who do not respect your value system. In the end, this is not the kind of niceness that you will be proud of. Rather, you will only be happy when you are being nice because it is what you truly believe in, not as a way of gaining approval from other people.