Ozone Expert Delivers Public Lecture November 6th

Posted November 01, 2002


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 1, 2002 2002-11-02-AR

Ozone Expert Delivers Public Lecture November 6th

Acclaimed atmospheric scientist Ted Llewellyn, a recent University of
Saskatchewan Distinguished Researcher Award recipient, will give a free
public lecture Wednesday, November 6th at 4 p.m. in Room 107 Physics.

Llewellyn is the lead researcher for OSIRIS (Optical Spectrograph InfraRed
Imager System), a U of S-designed instrument that maps ozone concentration
and tracks ozone depletion. OSIRIS was launched last year on the Swedish-led
Odin satellite, a joint project involving Sweden, Canada, Finland, and
France.

In his lecture, Llewellyn will present recent pictures of the Antarctic
ozone hole at various altitudes ranging from 10 kilometres to 30 kilometres.
"We are the only researchers in the world who have these," he said.

He will also describe the development of OSIRIS, life in Siberia as a member
of the launch team, and his future plans for atmospheric remote sensing at
the U of S.

Llewellyn, who is a member of the U of S Institute of Space and Atmospheric
Studies, received the Distinguished Researcher Award at the Oct. 26th U of S
convocation ceremony. His achievements range from co-discovering the Earth's
upper ozone layer to developing the standard method for measuring the ozone
layer from space.

"Professor Llewellyn is an outstanding scientist who has served as a mentor
to some of Canada's finest space scientists," said Bryan Harvey, Acting
Vice-President of Research. "His world-class research work has made a major
contribution to our understanding of the upper atmosphere which is so vital
to life on Earth."

Human impact on the atmosphere is "significant," Llewellyn says. OSIRIS data
will make it possible to determine the regional origins of ozone-depleting
pollutants, potentially paving the way for legislation to protect the
atmosphere.

The ozone layer filters ultra-violet radiation (UV). In humans,
overexposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, and a weakened
immune system.

Llewellyn was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1994, and
holds a U of S Doctor of Science degree.

A prolific writer, journal referee, and associate editor, Llewellyn reviews
many papers and grant applications for federal granting agencies and NASA,
and serves on national and international committees. His current graduate
students, past students and doctoral fellows work with university research
projects across the country.

The Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies (ISAS) was formed in 1956 to
study the aurora (northern lights), the related "disturbances" in the upper
atmosphere and ionosphere, and the effects of solar activity upon climate.
Since that time, members of the Institute have expanded the world's
knowledge and understanding of how the sun and Earth interact, and have
trained more than 200 scientists and engineers in a wide range of technical
and scientific areas. Find out more: www.usask.ca/physics/isas/

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For more information, contact:

Professor Ted Llewellyn
Department of Physics and Engineering Physics
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6441
http://osirus.usask.ca/

Kathryn Warden
U of S Research Communications Officer
Office of the Vice-President Research
(306) 966-2505
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
http://www.usask.ca/research/