Space Lasers Take To The Winds

The Butterfly Effect

Chaos theory predicts that systems such as the world's weather that involve chaotic behaviour (in the mathematical sense of "chaotic") will exhibit a property sometimes called the "butterfly effect." First identified by a meteorologist named Edward Lorenz in 1963, the butterfly effect refers to a situation when very small differences can lead to very large differences over time. Hence the famous example of a butterfly flapping its wings in New York City's Central Park and causing a tornado in Texas.

Lidar might not be able to sense the gentle breeze of a butterfly in flight, but by forecasting storms and detecting turbulence the technology could save millions of dollars and even human lives.

For more information:

Watch 'Storm Chasers: Fury in the Skies' TV documentary
http://www.firstscience.com/home/firstscience.tv/stormchasers-fury-in-the-skies_8.html

Watch  'Storm Chasers: Fury in the Plains' TV documentary
http://www.firstscience.com/home/firstscience.tv/storm-chasers-fury-on-the-plains_9.html

Watch 'Oaklahoma Fury' TV documentary
http://www.firstscience.com/home/firstscience.tv/oklahoma-fury_12.html

Watch 'When Nature Strikes Back: Chasing Killer Storms' TV documentary
http://www.firstscience.com/home/firstscience.tv/when-nature-strikes-back-chasing-killer-storms_16.html