About the 50th Anniversary Website
Welcome to the NCAR & UCAR 50th Anniversary website. This site is a public portal to the evolving plans and events in celebration of the 2010 50th Anniversary. Feel free to poke around, offer ideas in the discussion area, view planned events, or read meeting minutes about current plans in the committee area. Your input is valued.
The image, right, shows the construction of the Mesa Laboratory headquarters of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. The laboratory was completed in 1966. Click the blue arrows to view other photos.Aircraft Instrumentation
In 1968, research on small-scale air motion leaps forward with data from an internal navigation system that helps aircraft orient themselves in space. Through a nose-mounted probe adapted by Donald Lenschow (NCAR) and Jim Telford (Desert Research Institute), air flow in all directions was measured and correlated to heat, moisture, and other variables.
Computer Modeling, circa 1965
Installation of a CDC 3600 computer from Control Data Corporation begins in 1965. Though extremely limited by today's standards, the machine allowed NCAR and university scientists to carry out some of the first modeling of long-term global circulation.
New Visualization Laboratory
In 1988, a new visualization laboratory helped scientist depict their results in three-dimensional, animated form. Meanwhile, the NCAR graphics program, developed earlier in the decade, broadens its user base with a UNIX-compatible version.
The Climate Simulation Model debuts
CSM debuts 1996. NCAR releases the first version of its Climate System Model. Years in the making, the CSM (later the Community Climate System Model) provides universities with one of the most comprehensive models of the global atmosphere available. Major simulations of 20th and 21st century climate are completed before the decade is out.
Kickoff Letter From UCAR President, Rick Anthes
(March 16, 2009)
Dear friends and colleagues,
On this day fifty years ago, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, with support from the National Science Foundation, was established as a non-profit corporation,
"to acquire, construct, establish, own, equip and operate an institute for atmospheric research and other laboratories and facilities for atmospheric research and for research in related fields."In honor of the occasion I'd like to introduce staff to our plans for the joint 50th anniversaries of UCAR and NCAR and invite you all to participate. [Read more]
Many Anniversaries in the Coming Year!
UCAR and NCAR's 50th, HAO's 60th, Unidata's 25th, and COMET's 20th! Stay tuned for information on each of these group's special celebrations.
Events & Announcements
50th Anniversary Slogan/Logo Winners:
Congratulations to Candice Murray, from CISL, for designing the winning logo.
Russ Rew (Unidata) submitted the winning slogan, "Science Serving Society" (with a tip of the hat to Walt Roberts).Announcement of the winners and photo