This figure shows the Asian dust spreading over northeastern China, the Yellow Sea, the Korean Peninsula, and the western part of Japan (gray areas). The Asian dust was observed in western Japan on November 11 and then observed throughout all Japan on November 12, 2002. [The image was aquired at 1355 on November 12 by the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Aqua satellite.]

The Asian dust is picked up by the winds and is carried by westerlies to Japan in spring (March and April) every year as the developed low-pressure zone passes through over the Gobi Desert and the Loess Plateau where yellow sand is distributed. However, most cases are observed in spring. According to weather charts, the low-pressure area developed to 996hPa over the Gobi Desert at 1200 on November 10, 2002. The low-pressure area then moved east, become weaker, and developed to 996hPa again from 0300 to 1800 on November 11. Thus it is thought that the low-pressure area developed over the Gobi Desert, and that Asian Dust was observed even though it was in November.

The Advanced Earth Observing Satellite-II (ADEOS-II) is to be launched on December 14 this year. Global Imager (GLI) aboard ADEOS-II can also observe Asian dust precisely. Taking advantage of its 36 channels (from visible to infrared), GLI is expected to acquire both the information on the atmosphere, such as Asian Dust, and detailed information on the ocean and land.

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