First Prize: Geophysicist Klemen Zakšek wins idea contest

8 December 2014, by Stephanie Janssen

Photo: UNISEC

Honored: Klemen Zakšek in Japan

The Japanese research consortium UNISEC recently awarded Dr. Klemen Zakšek from the Institute of Geophysics First Prize ...

The Japanese research consortium UNISEC recently awarded Dr. Klemen Zakšek from the Institute of Geophysics First Prize in its “Mission Idea Contest.” The event, which was now held for the third time, is intended to find and honor new ideas on the use of micro- and nanosatellites.

Working together with Professor Matthias Hort at the CEN, Zakšek developed a method that allows the spread of ash and aerosol clouds to be more precisely observed. These clouds, which consist of minuscule particles, can be produced e.g. by extreme events like volcanic eruptions, and can’t be accurately monitored using conventional methods. Thanks to Zakšek’s proposed method, which involves taking simultaneous measurements from two microsatellites, in the future we may be able to far more accurately determine the heights of these clouds.

More information on the “Mission Idea Contest”

Contact:

Klemen Zakšek
Institute of Geophysics
Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN)
University of Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 42838 4921
E-mail: klemen.zaksek"AT"zmaw.de