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FROM OBSERVATIONS TO SIMULATIONS
A Conceptual Introduction to Weather and Climate Modelling
by Antonello Pasini (CNR-Institute of Atmospheric Pollution, Rome, Italy)
Table of Contents (15k) Preface (63k) Chapter 1: Introduction (81k)
From Observations to Simulations leads us on a fascinating journey through the methods used for the scientific analysis of complex systems such as the atmosphere and the Earth system: from meteorology and climatology, as observational sciences, to the development of models and the use of computers as virtual laboratories. In plain, accessible language, avoiding technicalities, but highlighting the conceptually meaningful aspects, the book describes this “Copernican revolution” in meteorology and climatology, a change in methodological paradigm that rigorously tests the definition of some classical concepts, such as “causality” and “prediction.” This is the first book that guides the general public (and sets the specialists thinking) through research on complex systems which is contributing to a change in our outlook on nature.
Contents:
- Meteorological and Climatic Observations
- Naive Meteorology,
Coincidences and Correlations
- The Theoretical Framework: Knowledge of Single Phenomena and Complexity of the Earth System
- The Galilean Experimental Method: A Digression?
- Simulative Models
- Meteorological Models
- Climatic Models
- Conclusions and Prospects
Readership: A wide audience of people including scientists and students
interested in the field of meteorology/climatology or in methods and foundations of science. The book is suitable for use as an introductory text on weather and climate modeling at graduate level.
| 216pp |
Pub. date: Jan 2006 |
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