THE EARTH OBSERVER a Bimonthly EOS Publication January/February 2002, Vol

rvin bse g S O ys th t r e a m E

THE EARTH OBSERVER A Bimonthly EOS Publication January/February 2002, Vol. 14, No. 1

In this issue ... EDITOR’S CORNER

Michael King SCIENCE TEAM MEETINGS EOS Senior Project Scientist

Minutes from the MODIS Science Following up on my previous announcement that the Meteor 3M Stratospheric Team Meeting ...... 3 Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE III) instrument was successfully launched Minutes from the CERES Science Team on December 10, I'm pleased to report that SAGE III has completed all post- Meeting ...... 9 launch calibration exercises, and is now routinely acquiring both sunrise and sunset occultation data. Preliminary analysis of Lunar Level 2 data products Minutes from the Meeting of the Federation of Earth Science Informa- (NO2, NO3, and O3) indicates good agreement with profiles from LaRC's 2- tion Partners ...... 14 dimensional atmospheric chemistry model. Overall, the instrument is perform- ing as expected, albeit with high signal-to-noise ratio measurements. Additional OTHER ARTICLES refinement of the data is necessary due to the lack of GPS navigation data KUDOS: AGU Announces Fellows .. 2 onboard the Meteor 3M Spacecraft. However, the SAGE III team is seeking support from the International Laser Ranging Service to provide satellite Earth Science Enterprise at the positioning information with sufficient accuracy to meet the instrument's Olympics ...... 16 retrieval processing requirements. SAGE III will extend important observations NASA Study Links El Niño and of aerosols, ozone, water vapor, and other important trace gases in the upper Southern Ocean Changes ...... 17 troposphere and stratosphere made by SAGE and SAGE II.

Satellites vs Mosquitoes: Tracking West Nile Virus in the United States .... 18 Similarly, the joint U.S./French Jason-1 mission that was successfully launched on December 7 has completed four cycles of mission operations and data REGULAR FEATURES collection, and is now producing its first operational science data products. EOS Scientists in the News ...... 19 Team managers from the French Space Agency's Satellite Control Center in Toulouse, France, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, have Earth Science Education Program declared Jason’s satellite, payload and ground segment are all functioning Update ...... 21 properly. Jason Project Scientist Lee-Lueng Fu reports a surprising level of Science Calendars ...... 23 accuracy in the initial science data, exceeding that of Jason's predecessor TOPEX/Poseidon. Like TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason will make observations of The Earth Observer Information/ ocean surface topography for monitoring ocean circulation, studying the Inquiries ...... Back Cover interactions between the oceans and atmosphere, improving climate predictions, and observing events like El Niño.

(Continued on page 2) THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

More recently, the Gravity Recovery And Finally, I would like to congratulate the Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission Ozone Monitoring Instrument Science was launched on March 17 from Plesetsk, Team for a successful OMI Algorithm Russia. The ROCKOT launch vehicle Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD) placed the satellites very accurately into review held February 8 near Goddard their 89º inclination orbit and separated Space Flight Center. The Dutch-based them from the upper stage exactly as team was very responsive and thorough in planned. The commissioning phase is now their ATBD preparation and presentations, underway and the instrumentation and made every effort to address previ- appears functional. Says Dr. Byron Tapley, ously submitted written evaluations of Principal Investigator for GRACE, “We each of the four OMI ATBD volumes. The have a mission!” GRACE employs an GRACE was successfully launched March initial OMI ATBD panel report was very extremely precise satellite-to-satellite 17. The drawing above depicts the GRACE favorable, and is a strong indication of satellites in orbit above the Earth separated microwave tracking system between two by about 210 km. GRACE will measure the scientific validity and accuracy of data spacecraft 170 to 270 km apart to measure Earth’s gravity with a precision that is 100 to products to be produced by OMI when the 1000 times more than has ever been obtained the Earth's gravitational field and its to date and is expected to lead to new Aura satellite is launched in January 2004. variations from solar maximum to solar advances in the fields of hydrology, minimum. oceanography and geology.

KUDOS:

Each year, the American Geophysical Union selects a small number of individuals as Fellows. The number of Fellows selected annually is limited to no more than 0.1% of the AGU membership. The Earth Observer staff wishes to congratulate the following EOS colleagues who have been named as AGU fellows for 2002:

Robert A. Bindschadler, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Dennis L. Hartmann, University of Washington Judith L. Lean, Naval Research Laboratory David A. Randall, Colorado State University Steven W. Running, University of Montana

2 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

from a variety of sources, it appears that Minutes from the MODIS Science Team the SST standard deviation is better than 0.25ºC. Peter Minnett presented results of Meeting comparisons of M-AERI cruise ship data versus MODIS SST, indicating standard — Rebecca Lindsey ([email protected]), SSAI deviations of around 0.2 K, which is — Vincent Salomonson ([email protected]), MODIS Team Leader, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center excellent agreement. Similar MOBY- MODIS, best-pixel comparisons have standard deviations around 0.5 W/m2. There may be a warm bias regionally, but Minnett concluded that the MODIS 11-12 µm SST could be considered validated from November 2000 to the present.

INTRODUCTION resources to get validated products out to Ocean Color the user community. Because MODIS is The MODIS Science Team Meeting was truly an instrument that can support Despite the calibration biases discovered held December 17-19, 2001, in Baltimore, global, interdisciplinary studies, one of the this year, the MODIS Ocean Color MD. The meeting began with a welcome MDPRT recommendations included products look quite good for unaffected from Vincent Salomonson, the MODIS developing a reduced-resolution set of time periods, and a few products can Team Leader, who indicated that he felt a global data products that would be both already be considered validated for those lot of good progress was being made useful to the scientific community and specific periods (i.e., December 2000). The thanks to the aggregated, dedicated efforts perhaps would allow for rapid reprocess- full time series will likely be validated of the MODIS Science Team, Technical ing. The full MDPRT report is available on after the next ocean reprocessing, expected Team, and all others associated with the the MODIS web site. in the summer of 2002. MODIS effort. The MODIS efforts must continue to develop the data products for DISCIPLINE TEAM AND A discussion of some results followed. use by the science and applications Howard Gordon presented data showing PRODUCT REPORTS community. From that perspective, the that MODIS normalized water-leaving primary focus of the meeting was to OCEANS SESSION radiance values (nLws) are in excellent address MODIS product quality status agreement with SeaWiFS—nearly 1 to 1— The meeting was organized into sessions with respect to the Terra data maturity when optical depth is less than 0.2, with by discipline, with the first session definitions - beta, provisional, and the nLws at 412 nm exhibiting better orbit- devoted to Oceans Group products. validated. to-orbit continuity than the 551 nm nLws. Wayne Esaias, Oceans Group Leader, expressed enthusiasm for the good results Some really intense efforts have been put Barney Balch showed that for a coming out of the team. They have found, forth in recent months to process MODIS simulated coccolithophore bloom in the in general, some calibration bias correc- data, but there remains a need to evaluate Gulf of Maine, MODIS Calcite agreed well tions that had not been accounted for in and respond to the needs and perceptions with ship measurements to values of the ocean color data processed to this of the user community. Toward that end, ~2µg/L—a factor of five better than point, but once those corrections are Salomonson reported that he had initiated expected. He said the Calcite product introduced this spring and the data are an end-to-end review of the MODIS data could be considered validated using east- reprocessed, nearly all ocean products processing system by an external review side swath data. Full validation will come should be able to be considered validated. team. The team was chaired by Moshe after reprocessing removes the east-west Pniel from JPL and met December 11-13, swath bias in the data. Frank Hoge Sea Surface Temperature (SST) 2001. This MODIS Data Processing Review reported that results from Fluorescence Team (MDPRT) provided five essential Bob Evans reported that global SST maps Line Height and Chlorophyll agreed close recommendations on how MODIS demonstrate outstanding coverage and enough with aircraft sensor measurements processing could make the best use of its excellent continuity. Based on validation to be considered validated based on

3 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

several case studies. Ricardo Letelier Research Center in Maryland showed Vegetation Variables added that ultimately the team cannot errors of less than 5% using scaled-up validate Fluorescence Line Height until ground and tower imagery. They expect Alfredo Huete reported that the MODIS nLw is validated; and that they can validated products by the first half of vegetation index algorithms, the En- validate Chlorophyll Fluorescence 2002. hanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and the Efficiency only after IPAR and Absorbed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index Radiation by Phytoplankton products are Zhengming Wan presented results from (NDVI), are provisionally validated, and validated. According to Hoge, four field campaigns in 2000 and four in that uncertainties continue to be reduced. Phycobilipigments and Dissolved Organic 2001 designed to assess the Land Surface Preliminary validation from core sites Matter products are more affected by Temperature (LST) and Emissivity throughout the U.S. representing various calibration biases, and validation of these products. For cases over lake sites, the ecosystems shows that expected seasonal and the Phycoerythrin product would differences in MODIS 1 km versus in situ trends are evident in both the EVI and have to wait until the reprocessing. measurements ranged from 0.2 K to 0.9 K. NDVI. Multi-temporal comparison with Over grassland and rice fields, differences ETM and MQUALS and ground measure- Wayne Esaias concluded the Oceans were less than 1 K. Over a playa in ments looks good. While they are getting session with results from analysis of the Railroad Valley, Nevada, after a correction good matches with ground measurements, Primary Productivity product from with 5-km LSTs, the MODIS LSTs also he indicated that current validation is December 2001. Both models (P1 and P2) agreed with in situ LSTs within 1 K. In limited to clear sky conditions. look quite reasonable globally, and agree general, from -10 to almost 50° C, with within a few percent with calculations column water vapor between 0.4 and 3.0 Juri Knyazikhin reported that the Leaf based on SeaWiFS chlorophyll for the cm, measurements agree very well with in Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of absorbed month of December 2000. Validation of situ measurements. Validated products Photosynthetically Active Radiation this product will likely come about one will be available with the next reprocess- (FPAR) products could be considered month after the Chlorophyll product is ing, probably in July 2002. provisionally validated according to the validated. following criteria: the algorithm doesn't Cryosphere Products produce LAI/FPAR when uncertainties in LAND SESSION input data exceed 15%; retrievals obey Dorothy Hall announced that in addition Surface Radiation Products known relationships, such as the relation- to the Snow Cover product at 500 m and ship of LAI and NDVI; the algorithm Eric Vermote reported that comparisons of Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) resolution, identifies situations when single angle the Land Surface Reflectance product to a beta-version Snow Albedo product data convey little information about high-resolution surface reflectance data would become available in the spring. The canopy structure and reports their from Landsat ETM+ aggregated to MODIS CMG products are available via their own occurrences by assigning a special value to resolution showed that values were well web page as flat binary and hdf files. the QA; and the MODIS LAI/FPAR fields within the pre-launch specified error bars. MODIS maps compare well with opera- are comparable with those derived from In the long term, they would like to move tional NOAA maps, and MODIS’ more other instruments, e.g., MISR, AVHRR and into fine calibration (below error bars), frequent coverage allows it to map more SeaWiFS. To move to validated status, and would like to correct for mirror side snow than others like ETM+. Sea Ice they will be testing the LAI/FPAR differences and polarization. Surface Temperature (IST) results appear retrievals using field data collected at reasonable; however, the existence of thin various sites representative of major Crystal Schaaf reported that a clouds over sea ice can preclude accurate biome types. Initial validation results at a number of field campaigns have been IST determination, so this remains a highly heterogeneous site indicate that the undertaken for validation of the Bi- problem. Hall felt that once they are able presence of water in the 1-km MODIS land directional Reflectance Distribution to compare the MODIS snow maps with pixel may result in an increased uncer- Function (BRDF) products, including operational maps and ground measure- tainty in LAI/FPAR retrievals. Compared some in the U.S., Africa, and China. ments from this winter, they will be able to to SAFARI 2000 (wet season) data, the Results from the Beltsville Agricultural declare that the snow maps are validated. MODIS LAI is within the expected

4 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

uncertainties. Users should pay careful John Townshend presented on the 250- m Forest Cover/Global Observation of attention to the QA fields associated with resolution Land Cover products: the Landcover Dynamics (GOFC/GOLD) the LAI product. Vegetation Cover Conversion (VCC) project. Preliminary results from active fire product and the Vegetation Continuous validation efforts in Africa, based on seven The culmination of the vegetation prod- Fields (VCF). Townshend indicated they concomitant ASTER/MODIS scenes, show ucts is the MODIS annual Net Primary are very pleased with the initial results. that errors of commission are rare and that Productivity (NPP) product, and Steve Tree cover compared between Ikonos, agreement is good for the larger ASTER Running reminded those present that ETM+, and MODIS is quite reasonable. fires. MODIS-GOES comparisons show NPP is inherently a time series measure- They are comparing their VCF estimates some differences that need further ment. Until they have a continuous first to U.S. Forest Service data, and while investigation. The global active fire year of data, they can't start serious MODIS seems to be underestimating for a product is planned to be validated by the science or validation activity. Since few western states, that may be because middle of 2003. Burned area comparisons photosynthesis and annual NPP change the thresholds for definition of forest cover using Landsat data show a good match across the biosphere as a function of are different. They expect to have their between the prototype MODIS burned temperature and moisture, they can be first full version of the product (i.e., an area product and Landsat over several regionally, but not globally, validated. annual cycle) by February 2002. He feels sites in Africa. Preliminary results were Time series measurements from both the that even in its current state, the product is presented using burned area information Pacific Northwest and Asia showed better than what is currently available to model regional emissions for southern encouraging results. For example, PNN from other sources. Africa, associated with the SAFARI 2000 lags NDVI in the spring/summer, and experiment. fades more quickly in the fall, both of For VCC, they are working on which are expected trends. Regionally, compositing issues caused by clouds and The land session wrapped up with a then, the MODIS products are behaving aerosols. They used the VCC product to presentation by Jacques Descloitres on seasonally as expected, and Running analyze the impact of roads on burn the MODIS Land Rapid Response System. expects more good results once they have severity in the Montana/Idaho border The system’s standard product is an RGB a complete year of data, which should be region in 2000, and their results show that image with active fire overlay; the available at the end of January. burned area density increased in managed products are used by the U.S. Forest areas. The area burned by lightning- Service (USFS), for imagery for the Earth Land Cover Products caused fires was roughly equal in man- Observatory, and for use by the Goddard aged versus roadless areas, but managed Public Affairs and MODIS web sites for Crystal Schaaf presented the status of the areas suffered more losses due to human- public relations purposes. They get their 1-km Land Cover product, which includes caused fires. Continental-scale results for input feed from the NOAA “bent-pipe,” IGBP classification, secondary classes, the U.S. are promising, but still have and reuse IMAPP software from the confidence measures, the University of issues such as false detection from snow University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Maryland sub-pixel classification, and melt or clouds over water. They plan to system is 100% automated, producing LAI/FPAR classification. Initial evaluation develop a simplified version of the products within 2-5 hours of acquisition. of the first and second most likely classes product that will run in the Rapid They are not keeping a long-term archive shows high accuracy, with discrepancies Response System in 2002. of data, but they do keep the imagery. usually between two closely related They plan to transition this system into categories, e.g., cropland and cropland The Fire products from MODIS will make NOAA’s operational service and provide mosaic. MODIS has more structure than an important contribution to global algorithms to the Direct Broadcast EDC DISCover. BIGFOOT comparisons change research by providing fire location, community, using a code-sharing ap- look very good in most situations, but timing, and burned area estimation. Chris proach. A partnership has been developed may overestimate needle leaf forest. Once Justice, Land Group and Fire Team between NASA and the USFS to enhance they have a full year of data representing Leader, gave examples of the Fire products the utility of the rapid response system. the phenological cycle, they should be able and described how fire validation activi- Data are being provided to a number of to validate the products, probably by the ties are engaging the broad user commu- fire management agencies around the first quarter of 2002. nity under the Global Observation of world through the GOFC/GOLD pro-

5 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

gram. Data are also being provided to the the cloud—values of about 5 for in situ tional validation of MODIS Near-IR Water Air Force Weather Agency. New develop- observations and 3 ± 1 for MODIS. While Vapor products based on MWR measurements are underway in the areas of King wouldn’t feel comfortable calling the ments and radiosonde measurements agricultural monitoring, food security and product globally validated, it is definitely from a few DOE ARM sites. flooding with the U.S. Department of scientifically useful at the granule and Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. regional level. Aerosol

Lorraine Remer gave the final atmosphere ATMOSPHERE SESSION Atmospheric Profiles presentation on behalf of Yoram Kaufman Cloud Products Paul Menzel gave the status of the and the rest of the Aerosol product group. Atmospheric Profiles: moisture, ozone, They have compared MODIS aerosol (over Steve Ackerman described the challenge and cloud temperature and motion. He ocean) retrievals to AERONET for 64 of global cloud detection: tests that work felt that most products could be consid- measurements during a 2-month period at well in some places don’t work well in ered validated. In case studies, tropo- 11 stations. Their results show correlations others. He cautioned against evaluating spheric temperatures compared to AMSU of r = 0.94 for 660 nm and r = 0.95 for 870 the Cloud Mask on an individual granule with rms of better than 1˚C, and to within nm. They think that effective radius is basis because correcting single granules 2˚C of radiosonde observations. Dewpoint validated to within 0.1 µm in the 0.2 to 0.8 can produce undesirable effects elsewhere. temperatures are within 2-3˚C rms of µm size range. The group is confident that For global cloud detection, the MODIS radiosonde values. The IR total precipi- 1 σ (66%) of individual retrievals are Cloud Mask has 48 bits representing the table water vapor is within 3 mm rms of accurate to within ±0.03 ± 0.05τ over results of a variety of tests. He believes GOES, and MODIS ozone agrees with ocean, to within ±0.05 ± 0.20τ over land, or that the Cloud Mask could be considered GOES ozone to an rms of about 10 Dobson to within 0.10 µm for effective radius. In validated at this point. Among the most units over North America. Cloud top addition, there is no systematic bias, so significant improvements to the Cloud pressures compare well with GOES, and that ensemble means and climatic Mask is elimination of much striping in aircraft validation is better than 50 hPa. averages will fall within the above stated Band 26, which allows them to lower the Menzel was enthusiastic about MODIS’ uncertainties. Thus, most of the Aerosol threshold for cirrus detection from 0.035 to success tracking polar winds, saying that Optical Thickness products could be 0.01 reflectance. Ackerman said that the MODIS observations had shown coherent considered validated from September 2000 Cloud Mask code would be offered to atmospheric motion, and were within 7–10 onward. They hope that all aerosol optical Direct Broadcast users soon. m/s of the few observations available for thickness and size parameters will be validation in polar regions. validated by Spring 2002. Michael King, Atmospheres Group Leader, reported that among the signifi- Water Vapor and Cirrus Detection LEVEL 1 PRODUCTS cant improvements to the Cloud Optical and Microphysical Properties product are Bo-Cai Gao reported on the status of the Jack Xiong summarized the status of the revisions to the ecosystem model that Near-IR Water Vapor and thin Cirrus MODIS L1B product, including instru- allows them to use band-specific, MODIS Detection algorithms. With respect to ment issues that impacted the product. In white-sky albedo (1 km) rather than cirrus, the product is picking up great 2001, MODIS had two anomalies: a broadband albedo. Cloud validation is detail, including many contrails, and is temporary solid-state recorder failure, and significantly different than aerosol, for tracking global seasonal trends well. the Power-Supply 2 shutdown anomaly in which there is a large network of valida- Comparisons of MODIS near-IR vapor late June. After the July 2 turn-on, things tion sites, but they have conducted and microwave radiometer (MWR) vapor have been operating smoothly on A-side preliminary comparisons using data from from March-June 2001 showed the near-IR electronics. Xiong said that signal to noise SAFARI 2000. MODIS retrievals are vapor values to be about 10% higher than ratio (SNR) values in the reflective solar slightly larger for particle radius than in the MWR vapor values. However, from bands are within specification. Thermal situ aircraft measurements suggest. December 2000 to February 2001, differ- bands are good except for Band 36, which Optical thickness is good compared to an ences were much smaller. There may be a has been out of spec since before launch. integration of cloud liquid water content drift in the radiometric calibration of the With respect to changes in the L1B this obtained during in situ profiles through MWR, and they plan to conduct addi- year, there has been one change for

6 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

misregistration during aggregation in the for fine resolution work, and showed an especially as they relate to MODIS: high resolution bands, delivery of a example of rivers being displaced 2-3 km consistent year dataset that used piece- in South America. With the land team, • Quantify year to year variation in wise Look Up Tables (LUTs), and finally, a they are investigating the possibility of marine and terrestrial primary change to turn off the 250 and 500 m using MODIS data to update the land- production (PP) in five years bands while in night mode. With respect water mask. • Describe ten-year (decadal) variation to Aqua, we can expect less optical and in PP and more detailed relationships thermal leaks, and less cross-talk and sub- DATA PROCESSING STATUS • Provide global fire inventory in five frame differences; however, Bands 5 (1.24 years Steve Kempler, Goddard Earth Science µm) and 6 (1.64 µm) have a significant • Discriminate phytoplankton from (GES) DAAC Manager, gave a status number of dead or noisy detectors. detritus and other matter in coastal report from the three DAACs that archive waters and distribute MODIS data. The high- Kurt Thome presented results of valida- • Provide first comprehensive data set lights are that GES DAAC processing and tion of the L1B product using a ground for aerosol sources and sinks reprocessing are going well. As of January reference calibration site in Nevada. The • Characterize role of land cover 2002, the DAAC has more than a full year comparisons of MODIS reflective bands to change associated with natural fires of reprocessed data. They have been ground measurements are generally • Extend ISCCP data set processing at a rate of 3X, with bursts of within ±5%. Cross comparisons for • Describe radiative forcing due to 4X. They have gotten past problems with a thermal bands show a little more scatter aerosols. problematic software drop in the summer than for reflectance, but again both look of 2001, and have been developing many pretty good. In most cases agreement is Specific metrics include merging MODIS tools, such as parameter and spatial better than 2% on average, except for the and SeaWiFS ocean color data to increase subsetting. They are sending out data via 905 nm band. Thome thought that L1B coverage 25%, testing ability to discrimi- subscriptions to other DAACs for their use could be considered validated. nate phytoplankton using fluorescence, and secondary distribution. validating results from SAFARI, and Robert Wolfe presented on the making AVHRR-MODIS correlations. Ed Masuoka, Science Data Support Team Geolocation product. Since the Collection Wickland explained that Headquarters Leader, reported that processing in the 3 data set production began, the along- must conduct a self-analysis based on the MODIS Adaptive Processing System scan error decreased from 58 to 56 m; metrics that can be audited by OMB. (MODAPS: for Level 2 and higher data however, in the along-track direction, the Salomonson and the Discipline Group products) has been allowed by ESDIS to error increased from 57 m to 74 m, which leaders indicated their desire to continue rise above the 96 baseline, which the team is well within specification (150 m), but to be involved in the development of the appreciates. At the end of January, the above their goal (50 m). They plan an metrics and their assessment. system will have processed 15 months of update in January, after a consistent year data in 7 months. This is about 2X, or 2.4 is done, that introduces correction for tilt TB/day. In 2002, they plan to add 128 CONCLUSIONS versus pitch bias (40 m in track direction Linux dual-processors to the system, and Salomonson thanked everyone for at large scan angles). They can also increase disk space by 60 TB. Per the attending and observed that MODIS is remove ±10 m, mirror-side difference in recommendation of the MDPRT, they are making considerable progress in getting scan direction. They also plan to review talking with ESDIS about the possibility of the use of FDF-processed attitude data results that are useful to the science and getting a machine-to-machine gateway applications community. He observed that since the along-track errors seem to be between the GES DAAC and MODAPS to correlated with the spacecraft pitch. In “MODIS success” will continue to be the streamline processing. sum of: (a) science-quality products being some regions, the inland water bodies in the land-sea mask may not be as good as developed and validated; (b) the MODIS PROGRAMMATIC PERSPECTIVES data products being produced, repro- the team would like. The geolocation group uses the EOS Digital Elevation Diane Wickland, MODIS Program cessed as necessary, and delivered to the archives; and (c) the access to the MODIS Model SWG, which is the best available. Scientist, presented some of the Earth Wolfe cautioned people about using this Science Enterprise performance metrics, products being such that users can get

7 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

what they want without undue difficulty or burden. It was Salomonson’s opinion Larsen B Ice Shelf Collapses that (a) is going fine, but considerable challenges lie ahead for (b) and (c). Of the two, (c) is probably the largest, near-term challenge, and he and the Science Team need to work with the ESDIS, et al. to do whatever can be done to make the data access “user-friendly” as quickly as possible. The data processing, (b) above, will continue to be a challenge, involving the utilization of known or expected resources for processing and reprocessing in as efficient and strategic a manner as possible. The Team also needs to do whatever can be done in terms of outreach and interaction with the community to inform and assist them regarding the status and use of MODIS data and products. This means planning workshops, attending and presenting at scientific meetings, etc.

The next Science Team Meeting should occur 6-7 months from this one. In the meantime everyone will be kept informed via Technical Team minutes and, possibly, telecons as issues requiring such occur. This article is a summary of the minutes of the two-day plenary session. For full meeting minutes, as well as additional minutes and attachments from breakout Recent Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite imagery analyzed at the University of Colorado’s National Snow and Ice Data Center revealed that meetings, please visit the “Science Team” the northern section of the Larsen B ice shelf has collapsed. The section that collapsed was section of the MODIS web site - approximately the size of the state of Rhode Island. Larsen B is a large floating ice mass on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. The series of images above show a progression of modis.gsfc.nasa.gov. the breakup over time - starting in the top left image and progressing clockwise to the bottom left. The shattered ice formed a plume of thousands of icebergs adrift in the Weddell Sea. A total of about 3,250 square kilometers of shelf area disintegrated in a 35-day period beginning on January 31, 2002. Over the last five years, the shelf has lost a total of 5,700 square kilometers and is now about 40 percent the size of its previous minimum stable extent.

Ice shelves are thick plates of ice, fed by glaciers, that float on the ocean around much of Antarctica. The Larsen B shelf was about 220 meters thick. Based on studies of ice flow and sediment thickness beneath the ice shelf, scientists believe that it existed for at least 400 years prior to this event and likely existed since the end of the last major glaciation 12,000 years ago.

This is the largest single event in a series of retreats by ice shelves along the peninsula over the last 30 years. The retreats are attributed to a strong climate warming in the region. The rate of warming is approximately 0.5ºC per decade, and the trend has been present since at least the late 1940s. Overall in the peninsula, the extent of seven ice shelves has declined by a total of about 13,500 square kilometers since 1974. This value excludes areas that would be expected to calve under stable conditions.

8 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

been validated and in the archive since Minutes from the CERES Science eight months after launch, and the global record of CERES Terra top-of-atmosphere Team Meeting (TOA) radiative fluxes is available from March 2000 through November 2001.

— Shashi K. Gupta ([email protected]) and Jennifer M. Hubble Clouds: TRMM and Terra ([email protected]) NASA Langley Research Center Patrick Minnis (LaRC) of the Cloud Working Group presented the status of cloud property retrievals from the Visible InfraRed Scanner (VIRS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Beta versions of CERES MODIS cloud properties have been archived. The 25th Clouds and the Earth‘s Radiant being readied for launch in April 2002. For Papers describing VIRS imager calibration Energy System (CERES) Science Team Terra Flight Model (FM)-1, all channel have been accepted for publication and a meeting was hosted by Steven gains in orbit were initially within 0.5% of paper describing cloud property compari- Dewitte of the Royal Meteorological ground values and there has been no sons with surface data has been submit- Institute of Belgium (RMIB) in Brussels, detectable gain change in any channel. For ted. A comparison of VIRS and MODIS Belgium, on January 21-23, 2002. The Terra FM-2, initial Total and shortwave imager calibration showed good agree- meeting focused on the status of new (SW) channel gains were within 0.2% of ment for most channels. A preliminary Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ground values, but the window (WN) comparison of cloud properties derived by (TRMM) and Terra data products in channel was higher by 1.3%. There was no the CERES and MODIS groups using development and validation, Terra long- detectable gain change in the SW or WN MODIS data showed overall consistency term calibration stability, and Science channels, but the Total channel gain between the retrievals, but several scene- Team results. The CERES meeting was changed by 0.4%/yr. The Mirror Attenua- dependent anomalies were identified. coordinated with a Geostationary Earth tor Mosaic (MAM) has experienced Radiation Budget (GERB) meeting at the degradation. MAM performance for FM-1 TRMM Angular Modeling and TOA same venue to encourage interaction is marginal (1% changes) and poor for FM- Fluxes 2 (3-6% changes). between the two teams. Norman Loeb (Hampton University [HU]) reported on the status of TRMM Data Production Bruce Wielicki (LaRC), CERES Single Satellite Footprint (SSF) Edition 2 Principal Investigator, gave an Earth Wielicki next showed the progress on Angular Distribution Models (ADMs) and Observing System (EOS)/CERES status TRMM and Terra science data products. TOA flux validation. An area of concern report. EOS Team recompetitions are CERES is meeting science community for the TRMM SSF product is the need to expected by June. Proposal inputs for expectations and needs, but all of the Terra adjust the ADMs and TOA fluxes to a CERES-heritage instruments on the data products are behind the original more appropriate reference level. Loeb National Polar-orbiting Operational goals established in the early 1990s. Last showed that in order to ensure that all Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) fall, CERES delivered the first of a new Earth radiation contributions are ac- are currently being developed. The next generation of validated radiation data counted for when constructing ADMs, the CERES Science Team Meeting is scheduled products that go well beyond the Earth field-of-view reference level where the for May 14-16, 2002, in Williamsburg, VA. Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) viewing geometry is defined must be well capability for climate analysis and above the Earth’s surface. Loeb showed Instrument Status accuracy. The remainder of the full suite of that the optimal reference level for Bruce Wielicki reported that the Terra validated CERES TRMM products will defining TOA fluxes in Earth radiation instruments continue to operate without appear by fall 2002. The ERBE-like budget studies is about 20 km. problems, and the Aqua instruments are versions of CERES data, however, have

9 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

TRMM SSF Edition 2 Surface Fluxes continuum, modifications to the spectral facing the SARB team. The Beta 2 version shape of land surfaces in the near IR, and of SARB/CRS data has a problem in the Shashi Gupta (Analytical Services & parameterization of ocean surface spectral ice-cloud tuning part of the code which Materials, Inc. [AS&M]) presented results albedo according to wind speed, sun results in larger errors for the ice-cloud of the validation studies of surface-only angle, and aerosol/cloud optical depth. overcast footprints. The WG recom- fluxes. For cases involving shortwave Constrainment (tuning) now uses new a mended that the SARB team not release (SW) clear-sky fluxes, the study indicated priori uncertainty values for TOA fluxes, the Beta 2 version and release the cor- good agreement between 1-minute surface consistent with the more accurate CERES rected (Beta 3) version when ready. measurements and the Langley Param- observations. Charlock chronicled the eterized Shortwave Algorithm results. In improvement in the performance of the Charlock presented a revised table of a contrast, the study also indicated a 30 W/ SARB algorithm through the current (Beta priori uncertainties (tuning sigmas) used in m2 bias, attributable to aerosol forcings, 3) version. He demonstrated that con- the constrainment process in SARB between surface measurements and the Li- strainment (tuning) reduces bias and rms processing. He noted that the sigma of the Leighton formulation. Large all-sky rms errors by roughly one half. A disappoint- natural logarithm of aerosol optical depth errors were significantly reduced by using ing comparison with Atmospheric for land areas was smaller than that of 60-minute averaged surface data. For Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern ocean areas. The WG recommended that longwave (LW) clear-sky fluxes, there is Great Plains (SGP) data at the surface was this tuning parameter for land areas good agreement between the surface attributed to questionable surface observa- should be equal to or greater than for fluxes and the Inamdar and Ramanathan tions, rather than to CERES retrievals. ocean areas. Constrainment in the LW model. The Langley Parameterized region is currently performed on the Longwave Algorithm was in good Geostationary Data Enhanced fluxes; however, since constraining agreement with surface fluxes for both Averaging radiances in some instances provided clear- and all-sky conditions. David Young presented the status of the better results, the WG discussed the SARB Retrievals temporal interpolation of CERES products constrainment options, but did not make using data from imagers aboard geosta- specific recommendations. Charlock Thomas Charlock (LaRC) and Fred Rose tionary satellites. The first Level 3 results pointed out that the bulk of the error in (AS&M) gave a status report on the based on Edition 2 CERES TRMM data SARB products is in the SW fluxes. The retrieval of the vertical profiles of fluxes - were shown. A comparison of monthly WG recommended that the SARB team the Surface and Atmospheric Radiation mean SW and LW fluxes derived with and conduct extensive objective tests to Budget (SARB). This component of CERES without geostationary data revealed large establish the benefits of 4-stream process- uses a radiative transfer code to simulate corrections in regions of poor temporal ing. the fluxes observed at TOA. Inputs to the sampling near the upper latitude limit of code include imager-based cloud and Cloud Working Group the TRMM orbit. Histograms of monthly aerosol properties, as well as European mean flux revealed no significant shifts The CERES Cloud Working Group, led by Center for Medium Range Weather due to the inclusion of the geostationary Patrick Minnis, held a discussion on Forecasts (ECMWF) temperature and data. Processing of the geostationary recent developments from humidity profiles. The SARB algorithm imager data is on schedule. Cloud intercomparisons of VIRS and MODIS constrains (tunes) key inputs (i.e., cloud properties derived from the geostationary imager calibrations. The VIRS 3.7 µm optical depth) and observables (i.e., data were shown to be consistent with channel calibration used by CERES/ outgoing LW radiation, OLR) to achieve a VIRS-derived properties. TRMM has a 0.5 K bias for some scenes. least squares fit based on a priori uncer- This will be corrected in future editions. tainties for the key inputs and Surface and Atmospheric Radiation Jim Coakley (Oregon State University observables. Budget Working Group [OSU]) presented a calibration comparison of VIRS and MODIS 1.6 µm channels Rose covered recent changes to the CERES The SARB meeting was chaired by Tom based on sunglint scenes and presented algorithms to retrieve the SARB profiles. Charlock. The goal of the meeting was to results of a simulated surface/satellite Improvements to the radiative transfer get recommendations of the Working cloud property comparison. Alessandro code included adding a water vapor Group (WG) on several outstanding issues

10 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

Ipe (RMIB) investigated the normalization Nitchie Manalo-Smith (AS&M) presented ing system will use a number of models of cloud property retrievals from two an overview of current plans for develop- and methods developed for CERES different imagers. The results will be used ment of Terra LW and WN ADMs. processing. to apply CERES-derived angular distribu- Improvements can be made in scene tion models based on VIRS cloud property identification, geometry, angular resolu- Anthony Slingo (Hadley Center [UK]) retrievals to GERB data using cloud tion, a theoretical model for estimating presented an overview of the climate properties from the Spinning Enhanced radiances in under-sampled angular bins, research at the Hadley Center. He de- Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI). and implementing LW and WN models scribed the model currently in use for over snow surfaces. climate studies, namely, the HadCM3. ADM and TOA Flux Working Group This model has a varying horizontal TISA Working Group resolution over land and ocean areas, 19 Norman Loeb led the ADM working vertical levels, and uses the Edwards and group meeting and presented a general The Temporal Interpolation and Spatial Slingo radiation code. Slingo showed a overview of critical ADM/inversion Averaging (TISA) Group, led by David time-series of the observed surface research issues. David Doelling (AS&M) Young, discussed recent progress in the temperature for 1860 to 2000 and stated presented results from several instruments development of monthly mean CERES that HadCM3 is being used to determine to examine the dependence of daytime LW products. New models of diurnal albedo whether the observed temperature and WN radiances on relative azimuth variability are being developed from eight changes were caused by natural or angle. Radiances tended to be larger in the months of Edition 2 fluxes. Initial com- anthropogenic factors. Model simulations backscattering direction and smaller in the parisons show general consistency showed precipitation decreasing in the forward scattering direction due to between these empirical models with absence of a CO sink, and a positive differences in surface temperature. The theory. Testing is underway to compare 2 feedback. Comparisons of LW and SW relative azimuth dependence was related interpolations using these new models to cloud forcing (LWCF and SWCF) were to time of day and surface roughness. the previously used models based on presented between the 40-year ECMWF Seiji Kato (HU) conducted a sensitivity ERBE data. A discussion was held on the Reanalysis (ERA40) which uses HadCM3 study to determine the uncertainty in TOA validation strategy for calibration of the and ERBE observations. Good agreement flux caused by using the MODTRAN narrowband geostationary imager data. was found for LWCF but not for SWCF. It radiative transfer model to approximate Comparisons with VIRS and possibly was suggested that cloud forcing was the flux contribution of radiances emerg- ISCCP data are planned. Deep convective strongly affected by highly interactive ing from above the Earth's tangent point. cloud albedos will be used to monitor dynamical processes. imager gain consistency. Nicolas Clerbaux (RMIB) described Investigator Presentation Highlights the methodology used in GERB to convert Invited Presentations measured radiances to LW fluxes. The Tom Charlock (LaRC) discussed early John Harries (Imperial College, London) method uses the correlation between the results from the Chesapeake Lighthouse presented an overview of the activities of angular and spectral dependence of LW and Aircraft Measurements for Satellites the GERB project, a joint project between radiation to derive a theoretical regression (CLAMS) flights and summarized the new the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Italy. function that converts SEVIRI spectral measurement capabilities at the CERES GERB was designed for measuring the radiances to LW fluxes. GERB broadband Ocean Validation Experiment (COVE) site. broadband SW and LW radiation budget radiances are used to adjust the SEVIRI- At COVE, the long-term Baseline Surface of the Earth from a geostationary plat- based fluxes. Norman Loeb (presenting Radiation Network (BSRN), Aerosol form. The GERB instrument will be flown for Konstantin Loukachine) showed Robotic Network (AERONET), and Multi- onboard the first METEOSAT Second results from a validation study of TOA Filter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer Generation (MSG-1) spacecraft, currently CERES TRMM LW and WN fluxes. (MFRSR) measurements continued. Wind scheduled for launch in July 2002. Harries Compared to TOA flux estimates from the speed/direction and temperature/ presented results from the characterization ERBE-like product, the new CERES SSF humidity measurements at 10 m will start of the gains of SW and total channels, ADMs show a reduction in bias with in February/March. Wenying Su (HU) is filter transmission, spectral response, and viewing geometry by up to a factor of 5. initiating a study of ocean foam using data point-spread function. The GERB process-

11 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

from a second spectral photometer. Given mesoscale circulation is also accounted for calibrations required to determine the the high accuracy of CERES at TOA, and the resulting tracer transport was final ACR gains and zero-irradiance surface albedo is now regarded as the much lower. This result is very significant offsets, and to process the October 1999 primary uncertainty to assessments of with regard to atmospheric chemical through 2002 measurements. TOA aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) in composition when chemistry is included clear conditions. in the General Circulation Models Bing Lin (LaRC) reported on using (GCMs). CERES data to test the Iris hypothesis James Coakley (OSU) presented proposed by Lindzen et al. Lin used estimates of direct ARF derived from Steven Dewitte (RMIB) presented CERES ERBE-like and SSF data to detect CERES TOA radiances and aerosol optical results of blending GERB-like fluxes high clouds and to estimate the radiative depth (AOD) data from AERONET derived from METEOSAT-7 data and properties of tropical dry, clear- moist, and stations. Derived ARF values were corresponding CERES fluxes. A factor cloudy-moist regions. The net radiative generally independent of the aerosol developed to correct for viewing zenith forcing between cloudy-moist and clear- model used but varied greatly from site to angle effects was found to be dependent moist regions was generally an order of site. Low sensitivity was associated with on surface scene type. A corresponding magnitude smaller than that of Lindzen et sites with highly absorbing aerosols. Sites effort for SW fluxes is more difficult al. Using the CERES observed radiative with non-absorbing aerosols showed high because of the complex angular models properties, the climate feedback calculated sensitivity. and surface classifications. from Lin’s model was about a factor of 5- 10 smaller than the Iris hypothesis. Xiquan Dong (University of Utah) Alexander Ignatov (NOAA) presented presented comparisons of CERES/MODIS comparisons of aerosol optical depth Sergei Matrosov (University of retrievals of cloud properties with those (AOD) retrieved from TRMM/VIRS and Colorado) presented multi-year datasets measured at the ARM/SGP site. Satellite Advanced Very High Resolution Radiom- of the properties of Arctic clouds collected retrievals were performed by the CERES eter (AVHRR) data. Because of the at the ARM/North Slope of Alaska site team using MODIS data for November persistent problem with VIRS channel 2, and during the Surface Heat Budget of the 2000 to June 2001. Surface data taken with Ignatov recommended that the team use Arctic (SHEBA) experiment. These the mm-wave cloud radar provided only the AOD retrievals from VIRS properties were derived from measure- reflectivity profiles. For thin clouds, cloud channel 1. ments made by cloud radars, microwave height and temperature showed good radiometers, depolarization lidars, and agreement during the day, but not at Seiji Kato (HU) estimated the absorp- Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interfer- night. Results for thick clouds showed tion by atmosphere and tropical ocean ometer (AERI) instruments. These datasets better agreement. He also compared from CERES and ARM data taken at are available to the science community effective droplet radius for daytime stratus Manus Island. The results indicated that and can be used for validation of CERES clouds and concluded that MODIS clouds over Manus Island present and MODIS cloud retrieval algorithms. retrievals overestimate cloud height between January and August 1998 had a during the night and underestimate cooling effect to the column and a V. Ramanathan (Scripps Institution of effective droplet radius during both day warming effect to the atmosphere com- Oceanography [SIO]) presented results of and night. Liquid water path retrievals pared to clear-sky conditions. a validation of spatio-temporal properties showed better agreement. of tropical convective clouds simulated in Robert B. Lee (LaRC) briefed the team the GCMs using geostationary satellite Leo Donner (Geophysical Fluid Dynam- on the long-term precision of ERBE images from METEOSAT-5. A Lagrangian ics Laboratory) presented results from a nonscanner data. For 1984 to 1999, the analysis scheme was used to identify study of convective mass fluxes and tracer ERBE nonscanner active cavity radiometer biases in cloud sizes and precipitation transport in a new parameterization of (ACR) measurements of SW and LW rates. The winter monsoon cloud systems cumulus convection. Most existing irradiances were stable at precision levels are dominated by very large clouds, and cumulus parameterizations model only approaching 1 W/m2. A special spacecraft the probability of cloud precipitation the deep convective aspects of the maneuver is being planned to observe increased with increasing cloud size. He systems. In the new parameterization, deep space and the sun to provide the stated that most GCMs do not simulate

12 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

tropical convective clouds well. Earth. From this location, it will provide a the radiation field variations, including synoptic view of the entire sunlit side of the large 1998 El Nino tropical mean David Randall (Colorado State Univer- the Earth. A 10-channel imaging instru- anomalies. Wielicki also discussed a sity) presented results from a modeling ment will be used to monitor radiation companion paper by Chen et al. Which study of mesoscale convective systems. budget, ozone, aerosols, cloud phase, and shows a new method to compare upper The shapes, orientation, and propagation ultraviolet radiation at the surface. The tropospheric humidity, vertical velocities, speed of these systems are their most expected lifetime of this spacecraft is and cloud fraction to the radiative important observed features, yet they are about 10 years. anomalies shown in Wielicki et al. not well simulated in the large-scale models. The study was motivated by the Michel Viollier (Laboratoire de Shi-Keng Yang (NOAA/National fact that mesoscale convective systems or Meteorologie Dynamique, France) Centers for Environmental Prediction) thunderstorms have widespread effects on presented correlations between presented results from validation of the human activities. In this study, latent narrowband (NB) fluxes from METEOSAT Medium Range Forecast (MRF) model heating was included as a forcing factor and broadband (BB) fluxes from Scanner using CERES data. He described many and linearized 3-dimensional equations of for Radiation Budget (ScaRaB). LW improvements made to the MRF recently, momentum, continuity, and thermody- correlation worked well for the entire especially those to the radiation scheme. A namics were solved for the system. Model region. SW correlation worked well except comparison between CERES OLR and simulation comparisons with observations for some regions affected by sunglint. AVHRR-derived OLR from NOAA generally showed good agreement. These NB-BB correlations can be used to showed good agreement only in the derive broadband SW and LW fluxes middle of the range. G. Louis Smith (Virginia Tech) using METEOSAT NB measurements. described the annual cycle of surface Another ScaRaB launch is scheduled for Outreach radiation budget in terms of empirical 2007. David Young (LaRC) presented an update orthogonal functions. He also examined on the CERES Students’ Cloud Observa- temporal variations with periods between Betsy Weatherhead (University of tions On-Line (S’COOL) educational 10 days and a year, using the first year of Colorado) presented results from a trend outreach program. During the past six CERES/Terra data. The data show detection study on regionally averaged months, S’COOL signed up its 1000th variations that have a lifetime beyond the ERBE data. From a trend detection point participant and logged its 10,000th usual 10-day limit of predictability. The of view, cloud and radiation data sets are observation. S’COOL now has over 1000 equatorial eastern Indian Ocean has not very well behaved and do not provide schools in all 50 states and in 57 other especially strong variations in the 20 to 60 unambiguous results. Overall, regional countries. day range, which could be due to Mad- trends in ERBE data were not strong. den-Julian oscillations. Bruce Wielicki (LaRC) summarized Petra Udelhofen (State University of his recent Science paper on the tropical New York at Stony Brook) presented decadal variability seen in 22 years of results from a study exploring relation- overlapping broadband radiation data, ships between cloud amount variability and what appears to be a shift of 3 W/m2 and variables like the galactic cosmic ray in the tropical mean SW and LW fluxes flux or the sunspot number over the U.S. from the late-1980s (85-89 baseline) to the Both galactic cosmic ray flux and sunspot mid-1990s (94-97 period between Pinatubo number showed negative correlation with and the strong 97/98 El Niño). The cloud amount. decadal variations also show a shift in the seasonal variations in tropical albedo in Francisco Valero (SIO) presented an spring and fall seasons. Comparisons were update on the Triana mission. This made to the major current climate models spacecraft will be located at the first forced with observed sea surface tempera- Lagrangian point between the Sun and the tures, but the models failed to reproduce

13 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

• Reduce the quorum requirement to something less than 2/3, for example Minutes from the Meeting of the 1/2. Federation of Earth Science • Impose a nominal dues structure to reduce membership rolls to those Information Partners willing to pay a nominal fee. • Have any ESIP missing two meetings — John K. Soldner, [email protected], SAIC - ESIP Federation Front Office, in a row declared inactive, and non- Washington, DC voting. • Solicit members to voluntarily opt for inactive status.

After discussion from the floor, the Constitution and Bylaws Committee was tasked with bringing forth recommendations on this subject to the Assembly at the The Federation of Earth Science Informa- of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks on May meeting. tion Partners (ESIPs) held its eighth semi- February 21, 2002. The UMAC consortium annual meeting in Anchorage, AK, from will follow this meeting with its annual Summary of Wednesday January 23 January 23-25, 2002. The first day was two-day planning meeting February 22 Discussions dedicated to small group meetings of and 23, also at UND. All ESIPs are Don Collins presented an overview of the Committees, Working Groups and welcome to attend both meetings. end-to-end value chain discussions held Clusters. Much of the focus was on the on Wednesday in the smaller group Remarks from the Federation overarching theme of developing end-to- meetings. A number of important topics President end value chains for Federation activities. arose during one or more of these Below is a summary of the plenary Federation President Bruce Caron discussion that the Assembly should sessions from Thursday and Friday and presented several issues facing the consider. the Business Meeting. Federation on the dynamics of membership, communication and voting, as the Role Between Clusters and the Federa- THURSDAY JANUARY 24 Federation grows and moves forward. The tion. One issue that was discussed was the General Announcements underlying theme was the necessity for role between Clusters and the Federations. the Federation to be “vital” to its mem- At issue was whether or not the Federa- Pat Reiff brought to the Assembly's bers. One specific area Bruce addressed tion should develop rules for endorsing a attention the World Space Congress was the need for changes in the Federation proposal submitted by a Cluster. There meeting in Houston, October 10-20, 2002, voting procedures to ensure a quorum. was also discussion as to whether there which is an opportunity for the Federation The Constitution and Bylaws currently was value in a Federation “endorsement” and individual ESIPs to get major visibil- require a quorum of 2/3 of the entire for a proposal from a single ESIP? In ity. The Standing Committee for Commu- Federation to conduct a business meeting. developing such procedures, is the nity Engagement, along with Reiff's As the membership continues to grow, Federation becoming a “Funding Busi- Museum Teaching Planet Earth ESIP, will attendance at meetings becomes more ness”? In wrestling with these issues the be displaying at the meeting and are vital in order to conduct business. Yet, for previous day, it was felt that the recently offering to share the display space (and many members of the Federation, atten- created Foundation should bare primary cost) with any other Federation members. dance at the Assembly business meetings responsibility for pursuing new funding (and voting on Federation issues) is not sources, and consistent with that, the George Seielstad made the Assembly their number one priority for becoming Federation itself should keep a “light aware of a one-day symposium on Federation members. Several possible touch” in regard to the current NASA Agricultural Technology for Rural changes were proposed: funding. Development to be held at the University

14 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

Adding Raytheon as a New Partner. The • Standing Committee for Earth Science partner. The Constitution and Bylaws question was raised whether Raytheon Products and Services - Annette Committee will create a Working should be invited to join the Federation, Schloss Group to consider the issue of how to vis-à-vis the Synergy program? While • Metrics - Frank Lindsay get partners to more actively partici- there was no definitive answer to this • Guest Speaker - Ron Birk, NASA HQ pate in Federation-wide activities– question, after much discussion it was • Guest Speaker - Ed Sheffner, NASA attending meetings for example. decided that the Federation should engage HQ Applications Division Raytheon in discussions on this topic. • Standing Committee for • Unanimous approval by the Assem- Interoperability - Rob Raskin bly of a Resolution by President Bruce The Need for a Federation Review. In • Standing Committee for Commercial Caron to create rules by which the concluding the Thursday morning Development - Doug Kliman Foundation (non-profit entity set up discussion regarding the Federation‘s • Federation 2002 Budget - Doug by the Federation) may go about future planning, George Seielstad Kliman seeking out new sources of funding proposed asking for a review of the for the Federation. These rules are to Federation from the National Academy. Business Meeting be voted on by the full Assembly at its Since the NRC spawned the Federation next meeting. Bruce Caron, Federation President, called several years ago, it is appropriate now to the formal voting session to order ask for a report card on the Federation Final Notes promptly at 2:00 PM. It was noted that a experiment. Seielstad also offered his maximum of 43 votes are possible, making Paul Hemenway read a statement to the opinion that the Federation should be the the required number for a quorum 29. A Federation that the Distributed Oceano- organization tapped by NASA to imple- role call was conducted by the Executive graphic Data System (DODS) is migrating ment NewDISS/Stragegic Evolution of Secretary to determine the voting mem- DAP to a non-profit organization called ESE Data Systems (SEEDS). Further, he bers, or approved proxy voters, present. A OpenDAP, thereby adding another proposed the Standing Committee for total of 23 Assembly Representatives were organization to the Federation family. Community Engagement (SCCE) should not present for the voting session; how- be tasked with targeting new Type IV‘s in ever, 14 designated a proxy voter, result- It was agreed that the next meeting of the its outreach efforts. ing in nine "no votes." Federation Assembly would be in the Breakout Session on Metrics Washington, DC-area the week of May 13- The following are the major accomplish- 17. Frank Lindsay concluded the morning ments of the meeting: session by moderating a breakout session The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 PM. on Federation metrics. His report back to • A decision by the Assembly to create the Assembly was presented during the a fifth Standing Committee, a Stand- Friday morning session. ing Committee for Education. The FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 2002 sponsors of the Resolution argued that it was important to elevate Education The Friday morning session consisted of activities to full Committee status. the reports from the Federation’s Standing Critics argued that another committee Committees, plus two special presenta- would further dilute already sparse tions by NASA HQ Earth Science Applica- Federation funds. The vote was tions management. Copies of the slides closely contested but the resolution presented can be found on the Federation was passed. web site - www.esipfed.org. A listing of the talks that were presented and the • Rejection by the Assembly of a speaker’s name follows. Resolution that would have placed more explicit language in the Federa- • Standing Committee for Community tion Bylaws that would clearly define Engagement - David Etter the expectations of each Federation

15 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

Hollywood, NBC Headline News, and numerous NBC local affiliates saw the Earth Science Enterprise at the zooms at various times throughout the Olympics games. An estimated two billion viewers around — Fritz Hasler, [email protected], Goddard Space Flight Center the world saw broadcasts of the zooms that were distributed by International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) Inc.

Similar globes were installed at three other locations throughout the Olympic area. The globe at the Olympic Village will The Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) was numerous other dignitaries. The NASA/ remain through the Paraolympics that end clearly visible in many different ways at Space Imaging/Goddard SVS visualiza- on March 17. The globe at TCMU will the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City tion brought the audience zooming remain indefinitely and is intended to act recently, thanks to a team of Goddard towards Earth. Soon a buzz went through as the beacon for the TCMU when it opens Space Flight Center employees headed by the crowd, and as the view approached permanently at the Gateway Center in Fritz Hasler, Code 912, NASA GSFC. Utah, the buzz turned into a roar which 2003. The globes were provided by the A few of ESE’s activities are discussed continued as the spectacular ceremonies Earth Science Enterprise/Earth Science below. began. Technology Office and the World Quest Foundation in partnership with TCMU. A total of 22,000 visitors at The Children's Approximately 1,000,000 viewers of KSL- Museum of Utah (TCMU) Olympic Walk TV/NBC-5 in Salt Lake City saw repeated The NASA/NOAA Earth Science Elec- On The World exhibit saw the 16-ft Blue broadcasts of the zooms by Chief Meteo- tronic Theater ran continuously from 3 PM Marble Terra/MODIS Globe, 30-ft floor rologist Mark Eubank in his reports on the to 8 PM during the Olympics. An E- mounted Earth, the NASA/NOAA Earth Olympics and promotion of the TCMU theater presentation was given at Barratt Science Electronic Theater, and the large exhibit. KSL-TV also ran a very nice Elementary School in American Fork, U.S., Utah, Salt Lake City, and Park City special report on the exhibit during the Utah, to approximately 800 students on murals using Landsat, ASTER and Space games. February 22. The final E-theater presenta- Imaging/IKONOS data. Since the tion was given at Brigham Young Univer- internally illuminated globe was clearly Approximately 20,000,000 viewers of the sity. visible outside the Museum, it is estimated NBC Network Olympic Broadcast, Access that several hundred thousand saw as they passed by. Also, the globe was used as a backdrop for numerous broadcasts by NBC News Affiliates.

A total of 150,000 attendees at the re- hearsal for the Opening Ceremonies on February 6, Opening Ceremonies on February 8, and Closing Ceremonies on February 24 saw the NASA MODIS/ Landsat/Space Imaging IKONOS/ Goddard/SVS Zoom from space to Rice Eccles Olympic Stadium that opened the production on each occasion. The audience included George W. Bush, President of the United States, John Glenn and

16 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

the Bellingshausen and Amundsen seas, showing unique associations between the NASA Study Links El Niño and Southern Oscillation and this region of the Southern Ocean Changes Antarctic.

— Robert Gutro ([email protected]), NASA Goddard Space Flight “The study shows that the impact of El Center, SSAI Niño is global and that processes as — Carolina Martinez ([email protected]) remote as those in the polar regions are Alan Buis, ([email protected]), NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory affected,” said co-author Joey Comiso, — Stephanie Kenitzer, American Meteorological Society senior research scientist from NASA‘s Goddard Space Flight Center. “The effect can be profound since these El Niño episodes affect the Weddell and Ross Seas. NASA researchers have found strong cover cannot be explained by local climate These areas are regarded as key sources of relationships between El Niño episodes variations alone and are instead linked to cold and dense bottom water that have an and changes in climate and sea ice cover larger scale climate phenomena.” influence on global ocean circulation. around Antarctica. Identifying these Also, the ice cover in the Bellingshausen relationships is important because it The study was conducted by scientists at Sea is the habitat for a wide variety of provides new insights into the changing JPL and NASA‘s Goddard Space Flight marine life and is crucial to their sur- characteristics of the Antarctic region and Center, Greenbelt, Md. It is based on data vival.” their role in Earth's climate system. from 1982 to 1999. The NASA scientists also noted changes in sea ice cover in Data for the study were acquired from The findings, published in the March 1 regions not normally associated with El several sources, including satellite data issue of the American Meteorological Niño, such as the Weddell Sea east of the from the National Oceanic and Atmo- Society's Journal of Climate, show that Antarctic peninsula. spheric Administration, Washington, D.C.; although the total ice coverage of the climate data from the joint data set of the southern ocean has not changed signifi- The strongest links were observed to be in National Centers for Environmental cantly over the last 20 years, the El Niño the Amundsen, Bellingshausen and Prediction, also in Washington, and the and its related Southern Oscillation appear Weddell Seas of the west Antarctic, where National Center for Atmospheric Re- to affect regional ice distributions. The the connections are localized and well search, Boulder, Colo.; sea ice data from oscillation is a recurring warming and defined. Within these sectors, higher sea the National Snow and Ice Data Center in cooling of the surface ocean in the central level pressure, warmer air temperature Boulder; and sea ice motion data from and eastern Pacific. El Niño refers to the and warmer sea surface temperature are JPL‘s Remote Sensing Group. warm phase of the oscillation. generally associated with the El Niño phase. The complete paper, “Southern Ocean “Understanding the connection between Climate and Sea Ice Anomalies Associated the Southern Oscillation and southern A number of observations in the scientific with the Southern Oscillation,” is available ocean climate and the sea ice cover will literature can be explained by this El to journalists from Alan Buis at JPL The substantially improve our understanding Niño/Southern Oscillation connection. American Meteorological Society is the of global climate,” said Ron Kwok, a Examples include a record decrease in sea nation’s leading professional society for senior research scientist at NASA‘s Jet ice coverage in the Bellingshausen Sea scientists in the atmospheric and related Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. from mid-1982 through early 1999; the sciences. The study was funded by the “Our study concludes that the southern reduced sea ice concentration in the Ross Cryospheric Sciences Program within ocean‘s climate and ice cover is somehow Sea; and the shortening of the ice season in NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise, a long- connected to climate in the tropical the eastern Ross, Amundsen and far term research effort dedicated to under- latitudes. While we don‘t know yet the western Weddell Seas. Four El Niño standing how human-induced and natural cause-and-effect relationship between the episodes over the 17 year period occurred changes affect our global environment. two, we do know the changes in sea ice at the same time as ice cover retreated in

17 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

half of each year.

Satellites vs. Mosquitoes: Tracking “The timing of a seasonal peak of temperatures determines the increase of West Nile Virus in the United States vector populations in that place,” said Rogers. “An early rise in spring tempera- — Krishna Ramanujan, [email protected], NASA Goddard ture is likely to get the mosquito off to a Space Flight Center, SSAI — Cynthia O’Carroll, [email protected], NASA Goddard flying start.” Space Flight Center The idea is to let the satellite capture where the disease is spreading from year to year and make some predictions about where the disease is going. Computer models can determine areas that have temperatures and moisture levels most A NASA-funded study uses temperature variables that are crucial for detecting suitable for mosquitoes and transmission and vegetation data from satellites to help whether a habitat is suitable for a vector, of West Nile Virus. Then, efforts and track and predict where West Nile Virus is like a mosquito that carries West Nile resources can target those high-risk areas. spreading in North America. Scientists Virus.” He adds that, “It's not a single and public health officials hope one day to variable that tends to determine whether a The study suggests that a mild winter in use near real-time maps to focus resources disease will occur, but rather a combina- 1998 to 1999 may have provided favorable and stave off the disease more efficiently. tion of variables.” Satellite sensors, like the conditions for mosquitoes to survive the National Oceanic and Atmospheric winter, leading to a greater number of The disease, first reported in the U.S. in Administration‘s Advanced Very High carriers in 1999. In that first year reported 1999, causes flu-like symptoms that can Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), provide cases were found in three states. The lead to fatal encephalitis in people with information on vegetation and peak and number grew to 12 states in 2000, and compromised immune systems, like the average annual temperatures. more than 20 in 2001, despite the fact that elderly. Though not yet proven, scientists the winters preceding these years were believe the West Nile Virus may be spread Mosquito populations are constrained by either average or slightly below average. across the country by infected birds different factors in different places. In the “Once a disease like West Nile Virus traveling along their migration routes. North, colder temperatures hold mosquito establishes a foothold and spreads, it will Mosquitoes that act as a vector carry the populations back. In the south, where be very difficult to eradicate,” said Rogers. virus, and pass it on when feeding on temperatures are higher, the insects are The methods used in this research may be hosts like birds, livestock, other animals more dependent on the availability of modified and applied to study a variety of and people. moisture for survival. Lush vegetation other diseases like malaria, dengue fever, provides a good indicator of areas with Lyme disease, influenza and even asthma. The satellite maps show nation-wide increased levels of moisture. Mosquitoes temperatures, distributions of vegetation, tend to thrive in warmer, wetter areas. For more information, see: bird migration routes and areas pinpoint- Satellites let researchers see which areas www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/ ing reported cases. The combined data have these conditions, allowing for better 20020204westnile.html help scientists predict disease outbreaks prediction of disease transmission. by showing where conditions are right for the insects to thrive and where the disease Similarly, satellites also help plot patterns appears to be spreading. like the timing of when temperatures peak during a year. Mosquito populations David Rogers, lead author of the study, appear to increase during the first half of says, “The images are derived from the year but only reach sufficient levels to satellite data that capture a number of transmit the disease during the second

18 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

Scambos and Mark Serreze (both Univ. of Colorado Boulder), were quoted in this article.

Pollution Drying Up Rainfall, February 19 — (United Press International, Nature News). At the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences meeting, Daniel Rosenfeld (Hebrew Univ., Israel), used satellite data to explain how tiny airborne particles are changing rainfall patterns around the world, and making it more difficult for clouds to precipitate. — Robert Gutro ([email protected]). NASA earth Science News Team, SSAI Terra Takes Sea Surface Temperature With Precision, February 15 — Earth's Magnetic Field Controls Damag- Rogers (Oxford Univ.) is using tempera- (Spaceflightnow.com). Otis Brown and ing Radiation, February/March 2002 — ture and vegetation data from satellites to Peter Minnett (both of Univ. of Miami) (American Geophysical Union’s EOS track and predict the course of West Nile were featured in this article about NASA's newspaper). James Heirtzler (NASA/ Virus in North America. Terra satellite. Terra is collecting the most GSFC) was featured in an article that detailed measurement of sea surface concerns how the Earth's magnetic field NASA‘s Aqua Satellite Shipped to temperatures ever made, enabling controls damaging radiation in low earth Launch Site, February 25 —(UPI, Space- scientists to advance their studies on orbits and how this has caused damage to flight Now, Santa Maria Times). NASA's ocean-atmosphere interactions that help a number of spacecraft (and injury to Aqua spacecraft is ready to be shipped to define the Earth's climate. humans, including Shuttle astronauts). Vandenburg Air Force Base in California The changing geomagnetic field is to begin launch preparations, according to Satellites Blow the Surprises Of World’s expected to cause even more damage. Phil Sabelhaus (NASA/GSFC) Aqua Wild Weather, February 12— (Boston Project Manager. Globe). 23 speakers made presentations Snow Science, Not Sport, in the Rockies, on NASA Earth Science topics at the February 26 — (Denver Rocky Mountain The Growing Season Is Growing as Annual Meeting of the American Associa- News, Science Daily). This month, dozens Warming Trend Persists, February 25 — tion for the Advancement of Sciences. of scientists on the ground, in the air and (Philadelphia Inquirer). Compton Tucker Included were: Yoram Kaufman (NASA/ using satellite observations will begin a (NASA/GSFC) was featured in this article GSFC), Harold Annegarn (Univ. of multi-year experiment to study winter discussing an increase in the density of Witwatersrand, South Africa), Paulo snow packs on the Colorado side of the vegetation throughout Pennsylvania and Artaxo (Universidad de Sao Paulo, Brazil), Rocky Mountains. Scientists came from: much of the Northern Hemisphere as a V. Ramanathan (Scripps Institution of NASA, NOAA, the USDA Forest Service result of warming and increased carbon Oceanography), Daniel Rosenfeld and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, dioxide. (Hebrew Univ., Israel), James Hansen and from several universities. NASA’s Jet (NASA/GISS), Azita Valinia (NASA Propulsion Laboratory (NASA/JPL), Polar Warming Continues With Ice Mass Headquarters), Mark Abbott (Oregon Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/ Losses, February 20 — (Spacedaily.com, State Univ.), David Skole (Michigan State GSFC), Dryden Flight Research Center, Christian Science Monitor, Nature News). Univ.), Richard Reynolds (National and NASA Headquarters were all in- A study of the Arctic during the summer Environmental Satellite Data and Informa- volved in this project. of 2000 noted that temperatures in the tion Service), Mark Meier (Univ. of Arctic were the warmest in 400 years, and Colorado), Claire Parkinson (NASA/ Satellites Track Mosquitoes, February 25 that there has been an 18-year downturn GSFC), Bob Bindschadler (NASA/GSFC), — (United Press International). David in ice cover over the Atlantic Ocean. Ted Ted Scambos (National Snow and Ice Data

19 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

Center), Mark Serreze (National Snow and Lars Hedin (Princeton Univ.) found that Sharp (Florida State Univ.) used Seawinds Ice Data Center), Shripad Deo (NOAA/ high levels of inorganic nitrogen in the data to see rotating winds and identify National Weather Service), Tim Liu United States are really the result of acid cyclones earlier than the present system. (NASA/JPL), Bob Adler (NASA/GSFC), rain and agricultural fertilizers. In 2001, out of the 17 tropical cyclones that Steven Goodman (NASA/MSFC), developed in the Atlantic Ocean, eight Marshall Shepherd (NASA/GSFC), and Study Links El Niño to Deadly South were detected an average of 43 hours Edward Gutro (EA Kelley Insurance). American Disease, January 22 — (Balti- before they were classified by the National more Sun newspaper, Science News, Hurricane Center. Satellites Help Track Disease Epidemics, Spacedaily.com). William K. Lau (NASA/ February 7 — (Space.com, GSFC) and U.S. military health specialists New Technique Greatly Improves Cosmiverse.com, Environment News may have discovered a way to predict U.S. Seasonal Forecasts, January 16 - Service). Satellite images of droughts, outbreaks of Bartonellosis by observing (United Press International, floods and heatwaves are now helping sea surface temperatures in the tropical Cosmiverse.com) William Lau (NASA/ scientists track and predict the conditions eastern Pacific. GSFC) presented a paper at the annual that are favorable for transmissions of AMS meeting demonstrating a technique diseases such as West Nile Virus in the Climate Change May Bring More Winter to increase predictability of precipitation U.S., and Rift Valley Fever and Ebola in Floods in California, January 22 — during all seasons by examining changes Africa. This article discussed recent papers (Spacedaily.com, ScienceDaily.com). Over in sea surface temperatures in various by Compton Tucker and Assaf Anyamba the next century, climate change will likely ocean basins and their individual impacts (both of NASA/GSFC). bring more wintertime flooding, and on regional climate. summertime drought to California, The Blue Marble, February 7 — (ABC according to a study by EOS researcher Scientists Unsure of Absorption, Decem- news, BBC news, CBS news, NBC news). Norman Miller (Lawrence Berkeley ber 13, 2001 – (Associated Press). Scien- The most detailed true-color image of the National Labs), and his colleagues at the tists are uncertain how much of the carbon entire Earth was created by scientists and National Weather Service. dioxide emitted naturally each year within visualizers (NASA/GSFC) from a collec- the North American ecosystem is reab- tion of satellite based observations, and A Chilling Effect on the Great Global sorbed by that system, complicating aired around the world during the Melt, January 18 – (New York Times, calculations of the net effect of human Olympic games. To see the image: Associated Press). Ian Joughlin (NASA/ activities on emissions of the greenhouse www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/News- JPL), Slawek Tulaczyk (Univ. of California, gas. Christopher Potter (NASA/Ames) room/BlueMarble/ Santa Cruz), and Richard Alley (Pennsyl- and Jing Chen (Univ. of Toronto) were vania State Univ.) were all quoted in this both featured in this article. Climate Studies Point to More Floods in article that discussed how ice in parts of This Century, January 30 - western Antarctica is getting thicker. (NationalGeographic.com). EOS-funded researcher P. Christopher Milly (U.S. Growth of Greenhouse Gases Slowing, Geological Survey) reviewed data on 100- January 17 – (Christian Science Monitor, year floods that occurred in the last CNN, LA Times, UPI). James Hansen century to look for flooding trends. Milly (NASA/GISS) published a paper in the and his colleagues concluded that much of Proceedings of the National Academy of central and northern Europe will be five Sciences that explained the current growth times more likely to suffer very wet of greenhouse gases has slowed since 1980 winters this century. because of the phase-out of chlorofluorcarbons. Ecology Dramatically Altered by Fertiliz- ers, Acid Rain, January 25 — (Spaceflight Seawinds Satellite Provides Faster Now, ScienceDaily.com, Spacedaily.com). Cyclone Warnings, January 16 – Steve Perakis (U.S. Geological Survey) and (Cosmiverse.com, ScienceDaily). Ryan

20 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

journals during April and May. Student teams will study phytoplankton, weather, Earth Science Education Program sea surface temperature, bathymetry, geography, and wildlife species. The time Update involved is 5-15 total hours. Participating scientists will be featured online and — Blanche Meeson ([email protected]), NASA Goddard Space Flight receive a Signals of Spring Certificate of Center — Theresa Schwerin ([email protected]), IGES Participation. For more information, email: [email protected] and include your name, affiliation, and contact information.

EDUCATION RESOURCES

oea.larc.nasa.gov/PAIS/AtmSciCareer.html SPACE SCIENCE INSTITUTE'S 4- K-12 educators the opportunity to learn DAY EDUCATION WORKSHOP FOR about the health of local waterways and Fact sheet on Atmospheric Science Careers SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, AND EPO the Great Dismal Swamp in North developed by NASA Langley Research MANAGERS Carolina. The Academy will include a tour Center. 21-24 April 2002, Boulder, Colorado of the Great Dismal Swamp Boardwalk; NEW ON THE NASA EARTH hands-on water quality labs; and work- Sponsored by NASA and NSF, this OBSERVATORY shops on Earth System Science. Internet workshop offers scientists, engineers, and workshops will focus on NASA educa- earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ education managers the knowledge tional resources on Earth System Science. necessary to design and implement The following are new references and The Academy will challenge educators to effective Education and Public Outreach feature articles included in NASA's Earth develop new skills through the experience (EPO) programs for scientific programs Observatory. In addition to these re- of working with university and NASA associated with universities, NASA sources, visit the Earth Observatory to see researchers. There is a $99 registration fee centers and flight projects, research the latest images and summaries of Earth and seating is limited. Call (252) 335-3696 institutions, and government agencies. It science stories from radio, newspaper, and to reserve a place or see nia.ecsu.edu/ is targeted towards those who work in any television. nrts/workshops/essa2002/essa2002.html sphere of Space or Earth Science, includ- for more information. ing scientists or engineers interested in K- Hantavirus Risk Maps (DAAC Study) 14 EPO, EPO managers who are tasked WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS WANTED earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/Hanta/ with EPO program design and with FOR ONLINE PROGRAM Satellite and ground truth data help providing meaningful ways for scientists scientists predict the risk of hantavirus and engineers to contribute to EPO efforts, The NASA-funded "Signals of Spring" pulmonary syndrome. and educators interested in gaining (www.signalsofspring.com/) along with perspective about working with scientists newest program sponsor National Geo- graphic, is seeking a diverse team of Earth Tracking a Volcano: Satellite and engineers in EPO. For more informa- Observations of Piton de la Fournaise tion, application, and registration visit scientists and wildlife biologists to interact www.spacescience.org, or contact Christy with students online in their interactive earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/ ReunionIsland/ Edwards at [email protected]. analysis journals for the Spring 2002 investigation. In the classroom program, NASA satellite data from Terra and WANTED: EDUCATORS FOR student teams use Earth imagery and GIS Landsat provide a unique perspective on EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE to explain the migratory movement of the current eruption of the Piton de la ACADEMY FOR TEACHERS animals tracked by satellite, including Fournaise volcano. 21-22 June 2002 bald eagles, whales, sandhill crane and other species. Scientists receive a stipend The Earth System Science Academy offers of $250 for interacting with electronic

21 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14 No. 1

SCIENCE NEWS tions were contributed by more than 1,300 the Spring 2002 investigation. In the classroom program, student teams use For the latest NASA Earth science news, data centers, government agencies, Earth imagery and GIS to explain the visit the NASA Earth Observatory - universities, research institutions and migratory movement of animals tracked earthobservatory.nasa.gov - or private researchers around the world. The by satellite, including bald eagles, whales, Science@NASA - science.nasa.gov/. directory is organized by topics: Agricul- sandhill crane and other species. Scientists ture, Atmosphere, Biosphere, Human NASA GLOBAL CHANGE MASTER Dimensions, Hydrosphere, Land Surface, receive a stipend of $250 for interacting with electronic journals during April and DIRECTORY AVAILABLE Oceans, Paleoclimate, Radiance/Imagery, Solid Earth, Snow and Ice and Sun-Earth May. Student teams will study phy- NASA's Global Change Master On-line toplankton, weather, sea surface tempera- Interactions. Directory (GCMD) 2002 provides descrip- ture, bathymetry, geography, and wildlife tions of Earth science data sets and species. The time involved is 5-15 total Access to the directory is available services relevant to global change re- through globalchange.nasa.gov or hours. Participating scientists will be search. The Global Change Master featured online and receive a Signals of gcmd.nasa.gov. Selected portions of the Directory now holds more than 10,600 directory can be placed on a CD for users Spring Certificate of Participation. For descriptions of Earth and environmental more information, email: without Internet connections. New data science data, with information on how to set descriptions are added daily, and [email protected] and include obtain the data and/or direct links to data your name, affiliation, and contact others are updated on an ongoing sources. The individual data set descrip- basis.their interactive analysis journals for information.

On March 12, 2002, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite obtained this stunning image of haze over China. The haze has turned the sky an opaque grey over much of eastern China. Beijing, China's capital city, is situated roughly 150 km (93 miles) west of Bo Hai Bay, just north of what appears to the densest portion of the aerosol pollution in this scene. The heavy aerosol concentrations can be seen blowing eastward across the Bo Hai Bay and Yellow Sea.

22 THE EARTH OBSERVER ¥ January/February 2002 Vol. 14, No. 1

Environments, Miam. Contact Nancy Wallman. Computer Graphics and Vision, tel. +43 EOS Science Calendar e-mail: nancy.wallman@veridian. com; URL: 316 873-5011, email: [email protected]. www.erim-int.com/CONF/marine/ ac.at, URL: www.icg.tu-graz.ac.at/ MARINE.html. isprs June 17-21 (Tentative) June 5-7 September 18-25 Second Public Workshop on the Strategic Evolution of ESE Data Systems (SEEDS), 59th Eastern Snow Conference, Stowe, Joint CACGP/IGAC 002 International location TBD. The focus of this workshop will VT. Contact Ken Rancourt, email: Symposium, “Chemistry Within the Earth be on developing community-based processes [email protected] System: From Regional Pollution to to guide the development and validation of Global Change,” Crete, Greece. Contact SEEDS protocols and standards, cost models, June 11-13 Maria Kanakidou, email: interfaces, technology and accountability. [email protected], URL: Third International Symposium on atlas.chemistry.uoc.gr/IGAC2002 “Remote Sensing of Urban Areas,” July 22-26 Istanbul, Turkey. Call for Papers. Contact September 23-27 Filiz Sunar Erbek, e-mail: The International Tropical Rainfall [email protected], URL: Conference on Sensors, Systems, and Next Measurement Mission (TRMM) Science www.ins.itu.edu.tr/rsurban3. Generation Satellites VIII (RS03), an SPIE Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii. Contact: Symposium on Remote Sensing, Crete, Robert Adler, e-mail: July 7-10 Greece. Contact Steve Neeck, email [email protected]. [email protected], or SPIE, email Second Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere [email protected] July 15-19 Experiment in Amazonia (LBA) Science Conference, Manaus, Brazil. Contact Community Outreach Workshop on MODIS October 14-19 Flavio Luizao of the National Institute for Vegetation Variables (VI/LAI/FPAR/NPP), Space Research (INPE), Manaus, Brazil, COSPAR Scientific Commission A, University of Montana, Missoula, MT. Contact: e-mail: [email protected]. Houston, TX. Contact Robert Ellingson, email: Steven Running, [email protected]. See [email protected], tel. 301-405-5386. URL: www.forestry.umt.edu/ntsg/MODISMTG July 9-12 October 26-28 2002 Joint International Symposium on Global Change Calendar GeoSpatial Theory, Processing and 3rd International Symposium on Applications, Ottawa, Canada. Call for Sustainable Agro-environmental Systems: Papers. For details, tel. +1 613 224-9577; New Technologies and Applications, April 22-26 e-mail: [email protected]; Cairo, Egypt. Contact Derya Maktax, URL: www.geomatics2002.org. e-mail: [email protected]. 2002 American Society of Photogrammentry and Remote Sensing September 2-6 December 3-6 Annual Conference, Washington, DC. URL: www.fig2002.com/. ISPRS Commission V Symposium, International Symposium on Resource and Thessaloniki, Greece. Call for Papers. Environmental Monitoring, Hyderabad, India. May 13-17 (Tentative) Contact Prof. Alexandra Koussoulakou, Contact R. Nagaraja, e-mail: e-mail: [email protected]. [email protected], tel. 91-40-388-4239 Ninth Meeting of the Federation of ESIPs, Washington, DC. URL: www.esipfed.org/. September 3-6

May 28-June 1 Pan Ocean Remote Sensing Conference (PORSEC) 2002, Bali, Indonesia. Contact American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2002 Bonar Pasaribu, e-mail: Spring Meeting, Washington DC. URL: bonarpp@indosat. net.id, URL: www.agu.org/. www.porsec2001.com.

May 20-22 September 9-13

Seventh International Conference on Remote ISPRS Commission III Symposium 2002, Sensing for Marine and Coastal Graz, Austria. Contact Institute for

23 Code 900 PRSRT STD National Aeronautics and Postage and Fees Paid Space Administration National Aeronautics and Space Administration Goddard Space Flight Center Permit G27 Greenbelt, Maryland 20771

Official Business Penalty For Private Use, $300.00

The Earth Observer

The Earth Observer is published by the EOS Project Science Office, Code 900, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, telephone (301) 614-5559, FAX (301) 614-6530, and is available on the World Wide Web at eos.nasa.gov/ or by writing to the above address. Articles, contributions to the meeting calendar, and suggestions are welcomed. Contributions to the Global Change meeting calendar should contain location, person to contact, telephone number, and e-mail address. To subscribe to The Earth Observer, or to change your mailing address, please call Hannelore Parrish at (301) 867-2114, send message to [email protected], or write to the address above.

The Earth Observer Staff:

Executive Editor: Charlotte Griner ([email protected]) Technical Editors: Bill Bandeen ([email protected]) Jim Closs ([email protected]) Tim Suttles ([email protected]) Design and Production: Alan Ward ([email protected]) Winnie Humberson ([email protected]) Distribution: Hannelore Parrish ([email protected])

Printed on Recycled Paper