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

THE OBSERVER January/February 2003, Vol. 15, No. 1

In this issue ... EDITOR’S CORNER

Meeting/Workshop Summaries Michael King Investigators Working Group (IWG) EOS Senior Project Scientist Minutes ...... 3 I’m sure you share the same sense of loss and solemn reverence as I do over the ASTER Science Team Minutes ...... 20 tragic end to Space Shuttle mission STS-107 on February 1. The loss of HDF Workshop VI Minutes...... 26 Columbia and its crew is a major setback to the tremendous contributions the Shuttle program has made over the past several years, and will have significant Other Items of Interest impacts across NASA. At this point it is uncertain what these impacts will be, SORCE Launch ...... 16 but it is certain that the same inspiration, dedication, and passion that Kudos ...... 29 embodied the crew of Columbia will remain in the Shuttle program, the Earth NASA Partners with USDA on Variety Science Enterprise, and throughout NASA. These characteristics are evident in of Products ...... 34 the outstanding progress our program has made in recent years, and there are many new and exciting missions planned for the near future. Regular Features

Earth Science Education Program Two new Earth science missions were successfully launched recently. The Ice, Update ...... 30 Cloud, and land Elevation (ICESat) was successfully launched on EOS Scientists in the News ...... 32 January 12 from Vandenberg Air Base in California aboard a Boeing Delta Science Calendars ...... 35 II rocket. ICESat is the benchmark EOS mission for measuring ice sheet mass The Earth Observer Information/ balance, cloud and aerosol heights, as well as land topography and vegetation Inquiries ...... Back Cover characteristics. A minor performance issue with the Laser Reference System on the spacecraft’s Geoscience Laser Altimetry System (GLAS) has been resolved, and the ICESat Science Team is currently conducting calibration and validation activities.

The ICESat mission will provide multi-year elevation data needed to determine ice sheet mass balance as well as cloud property information, including polar stratospheric clouds common over polar areas in winter. It will also provide topography and vegetation data around the globe, in addition to topographic coverage over the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets.

The Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) was placed into orbit by

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a Pegasus XL launch vehicle on January due February 28. Proposals are due by for EOS science program reference 25. The SORCE spacecraft and its April 15, 2003. This NRA includes two information, we’ve received 14,000 instruments are exceeding our initial categories of proposals: “EOS orders for our educational CD-ROM expectations, and there have been no Algorithm Refinement Proposals,” and 18,000 orders for our series of four significant glitches. The instruments and”“Science Data Analysis and Earth science posters since August 15 of have begun taking excellent science Modeling Research Proposals.” last year. The EOS Project Science measurements, and initial Research accomplished within these Office web site continues to be the investigations of the data are projects will significantly contribute to primary clearinghouse for up-to-date underway. Solar observations from the the science and applications enabled by EOS Project information, science Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM), EOS and its entire complement of Earth reference materials, and a host of Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM), the science . informal education resources. XUV Photometer System (XPS), and stellar observations from the Solar Finally, I’m pleased to announce a Stellar Irradiance Comparison major redesign of the EOS Project Experiment (SOLSTICE) are Science Office web site at eos..gov. proceeding nominally. While the content and functionality of the site remain relatively unchanged, SORCE instruments will provide state- its design and navigation have been of-the-art measurements of incoming x- greatly improved. The EOSPSO web ray, ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, site has had over a million hits from and total solar radiation. The over 54,000 unique visitors since it was measurements provided by SORCE redesigned and went online in early specifically address long-term climate January. In addition to frequent access change, natural variability and enhanced climate prediction, and atmospheric ozone and UV-B radiation. These measurements are critical to studies of the sun, its effect on our Earth system, and its influence on humankind.

Congratulations to the ICESat and SORCE Science Teams on their outstanding performance in bringing these two important EOS missions to fruition. Congratulations also to Jim Watzin, currently the ICESat Project Manager, who will assume responsibilities as the new Project Manager for the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) once the ICESat mission transitions to mission operations. ICESat successfully launched on January 12 from An EOS NRA titled, “Earth System Vandenberg Air Force Base. The Boeing Delta II rocket Science Research Using Data and carried it into space, where the Products from Terra, Aqua, and satellite will measure Earth’s ice sheet mass baalance, cloud ACRIM Satellites” was released on and aerosol heights, and land January 30, 2003, with Notices of Intent vegetation.

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articulated in the research plan: The Earth Observing System’s (EOS) variability, forcing, response, Investigators Working Group (IWG) Meeting consequences, and prediction. Each Minutes area has a set of overarching questions associated with it.

— Alan Ward ([email protected]), EOS Project Science Office, Asrar spoke about modeling and the Goddard Space Flight Center, SSAI key role these efforts play in fulfilling the ESE objectives. It is an important way to provide economic and policy launches occurred toward the end of The Earth Observing System’s (EOS) relevant information to decision this period. ESE is now moving beyond Investigators Working Group Meeting makers. Meeting societal needs is the this survey and plans to be much more was held November 18-20, 2002, at the major challenge ahead. focused on using Earth Science data to Turf Valley Resort and Conference meet societal needs over the next Center in Ellicott City, MD. The Another key issue is that of missions couple of decades. meeting drew 159 participants and is transitioning from a research focus to an operational focus. As of yet, no the primary forum for sharing the latest By the end of 2004, more than 20 Earth formal process has been developed to EOS science and program activities. observing satellites will be in orbit. govern the path taken from research to More detailed minutes of the Recent launches are generating exciting operations. The discussions that are November, 2002 IWG meeting, along new data and understanding of the ongoing concerning the development with copies of the presentations by health of our planet. More missions are of the National Polar-orbiting most of the speakers, are available from planned beyond the 2004 timeframe. In Operational Environmental Satellite the EOS Project Science Office. Please addition, the intriguing new concept of System (NPOESS) are an example of contact Hannelore Parrish at multiple spacecraft flying in tight where these types of issues are [email protected] or (301) formation — so called satellite beginning to be discussed. 867-2114 for these items. The next constellations — should lead to even Investigators Working Group meeting more comprehensive observations and Asrar also touched briefly on the 12 will be held in the fall of 2003. understanding of our home planet. National Applications that have been Additional details on the next meeting Asrar also stressed the importance of identified (covered in greater detail in will be published in future issues of The information systems. These systems Session V). These are partnerships Earth Observer. should provide end-to-end with other domestic agencies. NASA’s management from satellite to users. DAY ONE: November 18, 2002 role is more to serve as a consultant and provide data and expertise. Once Asrar reminded the audience of the Session I: ESE/EOS Mission Status— the applications prove viable, the NASA vision and mission statement. Michael King, EOS Senior Project partner agencies take control and The important phrase to stress is, “As Scientist, Chair institutionalize them. NASA continues only NASA can.” There are certain to provide data, information, and Ghassem Asrar (Associate missions which NASA is uniquely technical support. Administrator for Earth Science at suited to fulfill. He also stressed the NASA Headquarters) presented a talk fundamental importance of education. Asrar ended his talk by looking toward on the status of the Earth Science This is a key part of the mission the future. He stressed the continued Enterprise (ESE) and EOS. Asrar looked statement. ESE cannot fulfill its goals if importance of domestic, international, at three main areas: progress, promise, it does not prepare the next generation and commercial partnerships, and and vision. of scientists and engineers. ESE seeks to advanced sensor capabilities including understand how our planet is changing sensor webs, information synthesis, In the last decade, ESE was focused on and what consequences these changes and the importance of improved access conducting a broad survey of the Earth will have on human civilization. He to knowledge. Roadmaps are being System. The first Earth observation touched on the science priorities as developed to map out how various

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capabilities will be developed to enable draft U.S. Science this mission. The spacecraft operations the NASA mission of “understanding Program Strategic Plan. [Editors Note: and data analysis system are both and protecting our home planet,” for The CCRI was extensively reviewed in located at LASP. Rottman also reported decades to come. a major stakeholder meeting held that the instruments and spacecraft are December 3-5, 2002, in Washington, all ready to go. Launch will be at the Jack Kaye (Director of the Research DC.] CCRI will accelerate the highest Kennedy Space Center at Cape Division in the Office of Earth Science priority science and provide answers to Canaveral, Florida. [Editors Note: at NASA headquarters) spoke about decision makers. He reviewed the SORCE was successfully launched on Federal Planning for Climate Research. structure of the CCRI. The focus is on January 25, 2003. Kudos to the SORCE He began with some historical three main areas: emerging scientific team!] perspective, emphasizing the U.S. issues, observations and monitoring, Global Change Research Program Bob Cahalan continued the report on and decision-support. The emerging (USGCRP), which for more than a SORCE and discussed cooperation with scientific issues, all of which are decade was the major coordinating other agencies and between the Earth relevant to ESE, are the impact of activity for climate change studies in and Space Science communities at aerosols on climate, carbon in North the U.S. Government. NASA has been NASA. This is an effort to study long- America, and feedback issues relative (and continues to be) its biggest term variability in solar irradiance. to clouds and water vapor and also to contributor. There is still quite a bit of uncertainty Polar Regions. He touched briefly on in this area, and combined and In the 2000 time frame, the USGCRP issues associated with climate quality overlapping measurements with was in the process of developing a observations, monitoring and data previous missions are very important long-term strategy, which changed management, and ended by very so that the long-term record can be when President Bush gave his “Rose briefly showing information on parts of continued. Cahalan reported that there Garden Speech” on June 11, 2001. In the more disciplinary-oriented theme is currently a gap between the SORCE this address, the President announced chapters. For each question that is mission and the next mission that is the creation of the Climate Change posed, the state of knowledge is planned to study solar irradiance— Research Initiative (CCRI). The reviewed, illustrative research NPOESS. A SORCE-2 mission directive was that the CCRI should questions are given, research needs are (alternatively named Solar Irradiance examine the “key gaps” in our described, and products and expected Gap Filler [SIGF]) is being proposed. It understanding of climate change, payoffs are listed. may be co-manifested with another emphasizing the near-term provision of Upcoming EOS Mission Status Reports mission. Cahalan ended by speaking scientific information to enable about calibration and intercomparison improved policy and decision making. The series of talks that followed was an efforts that have been or will be On February 14, 2002, the President update on EOS Missions that are conducted for SORCE. delivered another speech in which he planned for launch in the near future. emphasized the U.S. commitment to Jay Zwally (GSFC) provided an update Gary Rottman (Laboratory for improve our knowledge of the climate on the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Atmospheric and Space [LASP] system and defined a multi-tiered Satellite (ICESat) that is scheduled to at the University of Colorado) and Bob interagency coordinating structure that launch on December 19 from Cahalan (Goddard Space Flight Center has been put in place to help Vandenberg Air Force Base in [GSFC]) gave a joint update on the implement the CCRI together with the California. [NOTE: The launch was Solar Radiation and Climate prior USGCRP in an integrated fashion. delayed from the scheduled date but Experiment (SORCE). Launch is This structure will also help implement happened on January 12, 2003. Kudos currently planned for the end of the associated National Climate to the ICESat team!] ICESat is planned January. SORCE will measure both Change Technology Initiative. as a three-year mission but it is hoped Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) and, more that the mission can be extended to five Kaye then went on to discuss some of importantly, spectral irradiance over years. The instrument on ICESat is the the highlights of the integrated most wavelengths. A brochure has just Geoscience Laser Altimeter System USGCRP and CCRI as defined in the been released that details the science of (GLAS), a laser with channels at 532

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and 1064 nm, respectively. Zwally went Sounder (HIRDLS), the Ozone and pointed out that an NRA is to be on to give some of the technical details Monitoring Instrument (OMI), the released in late January to form a about the GLAS instrument. Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), and science team for this mission. A second the Tropospheric Emission science team will likely be assembled The primary objective of the ICESat Spectrometer (TES). He reported that closer to the launch date. mission is to study polar ice mass the Aura flight operations and data balance and its effects on sea-level Earth System Science Pathfinder Missions processing systems are on schedule, change. Zwally showed some results and the instrument teams’ Science Continuing with mission updates, the from previous studies of ice sheet Investigator-led Processing System attention turned to the Earth System changes, emphasized the importance of (SIPS) are in place. Finally he Science Pathfinder (ESSP) missions. these questions for climate change discussed the proposed validation Marc Imhoff (GSFC) is ESSP Project studies, and emphasized the need for activities, which are being planned in Scientist and introduced this series of long-term systematic measurements of conjunction with NASA’s atmospheric talks. Imhoff presented a brief ice sheet changes. The mission’s research program. overview of the ESSP program; these secondary objectives include studying: are intended to be focused missions clouds and aerosols, land elevation, Bob Murphy (GSFC) provided an that look at issues of importance to sea-ice thickness and roughness, update on the NPOESS Preparatory climate change studies and supplement vegetation canopy height, and surface Project (NPP), a mission planned to larger EOS missions. They are missions reflectivity. Zwally ended by discussing bridge the gap between the EOS that are built quickly and on a mission characteristics and data missions (Terra and Aqua) and constrained budget. Imhoff briefly processing and distribution. NPOESS. Murphy discussed the main touched on each mission and instrumentation that will fly on NPP. Ernest Hilsenrath (GSFC) provided an introduced each speaker. Since the The Visible Infrared Imager/ update on Aura. Aura is the third major focus of the morning was on missions Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is a modified EOS platform and will join Terra and that had not yet been launched, the version of the Moderate Resolution Aqua in orbit, hopefully, in January Gravity Recovery and Climate Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 2004, and become part of the A-Train Experiment (GRACE), which is already that flies on Terra and Aqua. Also satellite formation. As its name implies, on orbit, was not discussed until later included will be a Cross-Track Infrared Aura focuses on studying our in the meeting (see session IV). Sounder (CrIS) and an Advanced atmosphere, and will take observations Technology Microwave Sounder Jay Mace (University of Utah) of atmospheric chemistry in (ATMS). Furthermore, an instrument of provided an update on CloudSat. Mace unprecedented detail. Hilsenrath opportunity may also be added to the acknowledged all of the partners who reviewed the Aura science questions, NPP suite. Candidates to fill this slot are working together on CloudSat. He which are derived from NASA’s would be either an Ozone Mapping also reported that CloudSat will be strategic questions. He then reviewed and Profiler Suite (OMPS), as is launched on the same launch vehicle as the specific areas for which Aura will planned to fly on NPOESS, or another the Cloud Aerosol Lidar Infrared make contributions, including: Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy Pathfinder Science Observations monitoring the sources and System (CERES) radiometer, like the (CALIPSO) mission to be discussed by distribution of pollution and impacts ones currently flying on Terra and the next speaker. The launch is on health and climate; ozone recovery Aqua. A decision on the instrument of planned for 2004. CloudSat is a mission and the impact of international opportunity will likely be made in the to study the key role clouds play in protocols; and the roles of clouds, near future. [Editors Note: A decision climate; it will be the first mission to aerosols, water vapor, and ozone on has subsequently been made to fly deploy a 94 GHz Cloud Profiling Radar climate forcing. OMPS on NPP]. system in space. CloudSat is part of the Hilsenrath next reviewed the A-Train satellite constellation, and Murphy reports that NPP will launch instruments on Aura individually and information from the other satellites in some time in the first half of 2006 on- discussed their status. The instruments this formation can be combined with board a Delta II rocket. He also are the High Resolution Dynamic Limb information from CloudSat to make discussed the ground system for NPP

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synergistic measurements. Products are primary missions) selected in the most have maximum sensitivity near the being developed that will combine recent round of ESSP selections. surface, where most of the CO2 would information from the radar on Aquarius will study sea-surface salinity be found. Miller also discussed some of CloudSat and the lidar on CALIPSO. in the . It is a joint venture the details of the spacecraft and the Data from MODIS on Aqua will also be between GSFC, Jet Propulsion operational strategy for the mission. used in conjunction with radar data Laboratory (JPL), and the Argentine He ended with a discussion of the from CloudSat. Mace ended by Space Agency. Koblinsky reviewed plans for calibration and validation, the discussing two test data sets that why salinity studies are important; expected data products, and the helped to show the capabilities of salinity through its effect on ocean planned schedule leading up to launch CloudSat and illustrate how the raw density impacts the vertical circulation in 2007. data will be turned into meaningful of the . The prospect of making a Dara Entekhabi (Massachusetts results. global measurement from space is very Institute of Technology [MIT]) spoke compelling. Koblinsky next touched on David Winker (Langley Research about the Hydros mission. Hydros was the science requirements for the Center [LaRC]) reported on the status selected as the alternate mission in the mission. The primary mission is the of the CALIPSO mission. As discussed third round of ESSP selections. Hydros salinity measurement, but the above, this mission launches jointly will study soil moisture and the freeze/ instrument will also provide data that with CloudSat and is planned for 2004. thaw state of the surface. This is critical can be used by the hydrology CALIPSO will make measurements of input for Numerical community to study soil moisture clouds and aerosols needed for climate Prediction models, as it links the water, changes. He acknowledged the change studies. Winker reviewed the energy, and biogeochemical cycles partners who are collaborating on this three instruments on CALIPSO. The together. Entekhabi presented mission and the valuable contributions main instrument is the Cloud Aerosol information on how data from Hydros of the science team. The mission should Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization will enable important applications in launch in 2007 on a Delta II rocket. (CALIOP); in addition, a Wide Field-of- areas such as national security and Validation plans are being developed, view Camera (WFC) and Infrared aviation. He also indicated that the along with an education plan. Imaging Radiometer (IIR) are included. algorithms that will be employed are He indicated some of the unique Charles Miller (Haverford College) well developed and that there is a long features of the instrumentation. provided a status report on the heritage of these types of Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) measurements. The technical approach Winker then went on to talk about mission. OCO was also chosen as the for Hydros is typical for a “Pathfinder” instrument specifications, flight primary mission in the most recent mission. This is a low risk mission with hardware status, and accomplishments round of ESSP selections. The goal of a high science return. Entekhabi closed and issues. He showed some sample the mission is the improved with a short discussion on data data of the sort that CALIPSO will characterization of carbon dioxide products expected from Hydros and return and spoke briefly about the data (CO2). A better understanding of the their importance to fulfilling research processing for the mission. He interchange of carbon between land, priorities within the NASA science indicated that a science validation plan ocean and atmosphere should result. community. is also being developed. Finally, he Another very important result should spoke a bit about multi-platform Yann H. Kerr (Centre d’Etudes Spatiale be an improved ability to distinguish synergism. CALIPSO, along with des Biosphere [CESBIO]) presented the between carbon resulting from human CloudSat, is part of the A-Train satellite Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity activities and carbon from natural constellation. (SMOS) mission after giving a brief sources. overview of ESA’s Earth Explorer Chet Koblinsky (GSFC) provided an Miller next briefly reviewed some of Opportunity Missions (EEOM). These update on the Aquarius mission. the details of the OCO instrument. He are essentially the ESA equivalent of Aquarius was one of three missions touched on the spectral sampling NASA ESSP missions. Kerr thus first (two primary missions and an alternate strategy and emphasized the reviewed the missions that have been were chosen, Aquarius is one of the importance of designing the bands to selected as EEOM’s. Many of the

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missions chosen by ESA as EEOM’s questions. Ranson ended by briefly Standards and Technology (NIST) complement missions were selected by showing the new (since the last IWG) personnel to improve the accuracy of NASA as ESSP missions. Natural Hazards section of the Earth the in-water radiometric measurements Observatory website — earthobservatory were presented. Results from the Kerr next focused on a specific example .nasa.gov. He also mentioned that the present vicarious calibration process, of an EEOM — the SMOS mission for EOS Science Working Group plans a conducted with University of Miami which he is the PI. He discussed the workshop concerning data access and team members, for Terra and Aqua motivation for this mission. usability for April 2003. were presented and demonstrated the Atmospheric models have huge necessity for retrospective calibrations discrepancies on soil moisture, and Otis Brown (University of Miami) and reprocessing if climate quality data more data are needed to more spoke on Radiometric Performance of sets are to be achieved. accurately determine this parameter. MODIS Terra and Aqua for Sea Surface Likewise, improved information on Temperature (SST) estimation. Brown Mark Abbott (Oregon State University) sea-surface salinity is important to discussed the status of the various spoke about ocean biogeochemistry, improve the accuracy of models. SMOS MODIS SST products and noted that all productivity, and fluorescence from will use an interferometry technique to would be validated as of the next code MODIS. Abbott characterized the 50 make measurements. He ended by insertion. He also discussed active years of records on Global Ocean discussing field-of-view issues and support for other EOS instruments and Primary Production as “50 years of how soil moisture measurements are for international SST projects. Brown educated guessing,” because of the derived. went on to discuss in situ validation intense variability in light utilization by data. He reviewed how surface phytoplankton. He showed the MODIS Session II: New Integrated Science validation data is obtained and showed productivity time series and then Results from Terra and Other Data a particular example. The latest compared MODIS Chlorophyll to Sources—Jon Ranson, Terra Project validation results show no real SeaWiFS. Both products match well. Scientist, Chair latitudinal bias, and the quality is The question that needs to be Jon Ranson (GSFC) kicked off the similar for both Terra and Aqua. He understood is how phytoplankton afternoon session by presenting a showed how improved SST turns light energy into biological Summary of Validated Data Products information leads to an improved matter. Abbott showed the fluorescence from Terra. All of Terra’s instruments Hurricane Intensity Prediction line height compared with ship are doing fine, with a few minor capability. The National Hurricane measurements in situ. Fluorescence correctable issues. Ranson reports that Center is interested in incorporating works better at estimating chlorophyll nearly all Advance Spaceborne MODIS information into its models. concentration in productive, near-shore Thermal Emission and Reflection waters. The next issue he wishes to Dennis Clark (NOAA/NESDIS) spoke Radiometer (ASTER) and Moderate consider is whether or not the about climate quality ocean color time Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Chlorophyll Fluorescence Efficiency series. He began by reviewing the (MODIS) products are validated. The (CFE) derived by MODIS can help to Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) and the Cloud and the Earth’s Radiant Energy improve the Primary Production Marine Optical Characterization System (CERES), the Multiangle Algorithm. Experiment (MOCE) activities over the Imaging Spectro-Radiometer (MISR), past five years. He explained the Yoram Kaufman (GSFC) reported on and the Measurement of Pollution in oceanic color variability and why time the use of satellites (MODIS), ground the Atmosphere (MOPITT) have series of in situ radiometric networks (AERONET) and aerosol released validated, provisionally observations are required for the models (GOCART) to view the aerosol validated, or beta products. Ranson vicarious calibration of satellite ocean effect on climate. The attempt here is to reviewed the objectives of Terra and the color observations. The MOBY system combine information from these three science questions the mission is trying and operational infrastructure located sources and study aerosols and their to answer. He reported that products at the University of Hawaii Marine impact on climate. Kaufman’s group is are now available to fulfill these Center and the ongoing collaborative particularly interested in sorting out objectives and begin to answer these research with National Institutes of the anthropogenic portion — that

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portion due to human activities. scale measurements of snow-cover are Over the Pacific (TRACE-P) field needed in order to validate the models. campaign in Spring 2001. He showed a sample MODIS aerosol Additionally, it is important to measure product, which is able to distinguish Edwards described what he referred to fractional snow-cover because models aerosol amount and aerosol type by as the “Tropical Tropospheric Ozone are becoming increasingly more separating out fine and coarse particles. Paradox.” In the early part of the year, sophisticated. Next, he showed a movie comparing regions of high tropospheric O3 derived GOCART data to MODIS data. Over Hall discussed the MODIS climate from Total Ozone Mapping time, GOCART data begin to look very modeling grid (CMG) product that has Spectrometer (TOMS) measurements similar to the MODIS data. Data from a resolution of 0.05°, or about 5 km at over the tropical Atlantic don’t coincide AERONET also match very well with the Equator and is a daily and an 8-day with biomass burning observed by data from MODIS. composite product. This product is satellite in northern Africa. MOPITT developed from 500-m MODIS snow CO data have been used to investigate Kaufman also discussed how to derive maps. Fractional snow-cover transport of emissions from these fires. a measurement based on aerosol direct information is available (1-100%) in Measurements from the Global Ozone radiative forcing. They use data from each CMG cell. Monitoring Experiment (GOME) on the MODIS and GOCART to distinguish European Remote Sensing Satellite (ER- anthropogenic smoke and pollution Hall proceeded to discuss the 2) have also been used to indicate high aerosol from dust and sea salt. Based Catchment-based Land Surface Model concentrations of oxides of nitrogen on this result, they can calculate aerosol (CLSM) that is coupled to a snow (NOx), another O3 precursor. direct radiative forcing over the ocean. physics model and can capture sub gridscale snow-cover, and the Edwards went on to show some other Jun Li (University of Wisconsin, European Centre for Medium-Range examples of recent MOPITT Madison) spoke about integration of Weather Forecasting — Hamburg observations. He showed images of the MODIS, HIRS, and AMSU data for Version 5 (ECHAM-5) GCM. MODIS 2002 fires in the Western U.S. He atmospheric studies. MODIS data led will contribute monthly snow-cover correlated MODIS images that show to considerable improvement in the and sea-ice maps that will be used to the smoke with MOPITT images that accuracy of atmospheric products. Li validate ECHAM-5. indicate areas of high CO. As the fires showed a progression of satellite worsen, the areas with high CO images that highlights how the In closing, Hall stated that information concentration increase and produce resolution of instruments continues to on snow water equivalent (SWE) is plumes that are transported long improve. Using the multispectral even more valuable than snow-cover distances. Edwards indicated that radiance information, clouds are well maps. A future product could combine using MOPITT and MODIS together separated into classes. Li described the the good resolution of the MODIS offers the possibility of combining CO algorithm used, which is based on snow-cover products with information and fine/coarse particle measurements statistical followed by physical on snow water equivalent derived from to examine the chemical origin and retrieval. The new algorithm does the Advanced Microwave Scanning transport of anthropogenic aerosol. improve the accuracy of the retrievals. Radiometer for EOS (AMSR-E). In an attempt to further improve the Anne Kahle (Jet Propulsion Laboratory David Edwards (National Center for data Li has also combined the data [JPL]) discussed ASTER applications. Atmospheric Research [NCAR]) spoke from MODIS with data from the Kahle ran through numerous about combining MOPITT and other Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), applications where ASTER data are satellite data to investigate transport the Advanced Microwave Sounding being used and showed many colorful and ozone chemistry in the Unit (AMSU), and the Humidity examples. Applications include studies troposphere. This was illustrated using Sounder for Brazil (HSB) on Aqua. of: surface energy balance, geology, examples of MOPITT carbon monoxide wildfires, natural disasters (the La Dorothy Hall (GSFC) discussed the use (CO) data in conjunction with in situ Plata, MD, tornado, floods in China), of MODIS snow and ice maps in measurements taken during the urban environmental monitoring, modeling studies. More accurate global Transport and Chemical Evolution global land ice measurement,

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volcanoes, water quality, and forest 24. Parkinson showed a global sea- images was highlighted as illustrative clear cutting. surface temperature map created by of the advances made by the MODIS NASDA just days after the AMSR-E Team, the MODIS manufacturer, and Kahle concluded by reminding the began operating, plus a nighttime the data processing system since the group that ASTER data should be free image of a July 4 typhoon in the East launch of the first MODIS, on the Terra to NASA investigators. If you are a China Sea. AMSR-E is providing the spacecraft. Combining data from NASA investigator and not on the list highest resolution passive microwave MODIS on Aqua and Terra will of free recipients, then please contact imagery to date, even allowing the improve the quality of many products, Kahle or someone on the ASTER team identification of individual sea-ice and Parkinson illustrated this with two and let them know. floes. examples: the Bidirectional Reflectance DAY TWO: November 19, 2002 Distribution Function product and the The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder Chlorophyll product. Session III: Validation and New (AIRS) began transmitting visible/ Science Results from Aqua—Claire near-infrared data on May 26 and the Parkinson closed by stating that all six Parkinson, Aqua Project Scientist, main infrared data on June 12. The Aqua instruments are sending back Goddard Space Flight Center, Chair instrument has 2382 channels, and high-quality data, and all are Parkinson showed an AIRS spectrum contributing to the Aqua mission goals Claire Parkinson (Aqua Project from off the coast of South Africa, of enhanced understanding of the Scientist; GSFC) reported on Aqua’s provided to her on June 13 by the AIRS global water cycle, enhanced early on-orbit progress. Aqua was Team Leader, Mous Chahine. This understanding of the Earth’s climate successfully launched on May 4, 2002, spectra established the successful system, and improved weather then underwent a 120-day checkout functioning of all 2378 of the AIRS forecasting. period that ended on September 1. infrared channels; the four visible/ Roy Spencer (University of Alabama in Parkinson described, in order, the near-infrared channels are also Huntsville) spoke briefly about turning on of each of Aqua’s six working, although are not shown in the monitoring climate variability with instruments and illustrated, for each, same spectra. some of the results that have been Aqua’s AMSR-E. He gave an AMSR-E obtained so far by the Aqua science The two Clouds and the Earth’s instrument update and touched on teams. Radiant Energy System (CERES) some of its applications. As stated in instruments on Aqua were activated on the previous talk, AMSR-E provides the Parkinson showed early images from June 18, one day after the spacecraft highest spatial resolution ever obtained AMSU and HSB, including imagery of reached its final, 705 km operational by a passive microwave sensor. This thunderstorms over Texas from June altitude. Parkinson showed global allows for much higher resolution in 16, using several channels penetrating maps of CERES longwave and sea-ice, snow-cover, soil moisture, and to different depths in the storms. The shortwave fluxes for June 22, and then precipitation studies. Global images of AIRS Science Team has taken these side-by-side October 1 longwave and radio frequency interference data and those from other regions to shortwave maps centered on Hurricane (RFI) sources at 6.9 GHz, and of new map precipitation rates. One exciting Lili in the Gulf of Mexico. vegetation-sensitive and soil-moisture new result with the AMSU/HSB data is sensitive parameters, were also shown. the use of these data to track The Moderate Resolution Imaging snowstorms in the Arctic. Calibration Spectroradiometer (MODIS) was the Frank Wentz (Remote Sensing issues remain, especially in the snow last of the six Aqua instruments to be Systems) reported on AMSR-E on-orbit rates, but the initial results are activated into its science mode, with calibration and early science results. encouraging. this taking place on June 24. A key first AMSR-E has a “hot load” problem, light image was a view of fires burning meaning that there are large The Advanced Microwave Scanning in Australia on June 24, and another temperature gradients within the load. Radiometer for EOS (AMSR-E), was a chlorophyll map for the The team puts geophysical parameters provided by Japan, was initially following day, from the MODIS Ocean from existing satellites into a radiative- activated in its science mode on May Group. The high quality of both these transfer model, and uses simulated

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AMSR-E observations to provide an multiple scales, and land-atmosphere It is expected that fields such as Earth calibration point. Wentz showed interaction. He discussed sampling numerical weather prediction and the suite of ocean products from strategy to accommodate multiple spectroscopy will benefit from the data AMSR-E, including sea-surface scales. Jackson presented a short retrieved by AIRS. temperature (SST), wind, water vapor, review of the most recent field Chahine proceeded to discuss the cloud, and rain. He also showed some campaign, which took place June 25- impact that the presence of clouds has initial validation results. AMSR-E SST July 12, 2002, in Iowa. He focused on on infrared retrievals. He showed that was compared to Reynolds Optimum results from the numerous aircraft less than 5% of AIRS footprints are Interpolated (ROI) SST, and the wind flights that took place over the study “cloud free” according to AIRS clear speed was compared with the Special region, explained how AMSR-E data window channel at 2616 cm-1, at night Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), are also being used, and he also in nadir viewing over oceans. He TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI), and discussed the RFI issues. He feels that showed the ability of AIRS-AMSU-HSB QuikSCAT. A complete daily map of significant contamination issues will to recover “cloud-cleared” infrared SST with no holes is produced each need to be resolved in order to use spectra in the presence of clouds in all day. Using this information, they can AMSR-E to make soil moisture AIRS footprints and compared results study SST cold wakes in the aftermath measurements in North America. The with spectra from cloud free regions in of hurricanes. They can also undertake next experiment in this series will take the neighborhood. air-sea interaction studies. To conclude, place in 2003. Three U.S. sites have Wentz showed an animation that been selected and a fourth site in George Aumann (JPL) discussed the depicted SST gradients. Brazil. first SST measurements from AIRS using the 2616 cm-1 super window Joey Comiso (GSFC) discussed new Richard Armstrong (University of channel and the 2607 cm-1 weak sea-ice cover results from AMSR-E, Colorado, National Snow and Ice Data waterline channel. A comparison of the along with the scientific motivation for Center [NSIDC]) discussed the AIRS SST with the SST produced by the these studies. AMSR-E continues the blending of MODIS and AMSR-E data National Centers for Environmental time series of sea-ice measurements for enhanced snow-cover monitoring. Prediction (NCEP) shows a global and gives better accuracy. Comiso Armstrong showed examples of the average cold bias of 0.4 K, close to the reviewed the characteristics of the spectral signatures of bare soil cold bias expected between the skin AMSR-E instrument. He showed the compared to snow. Armstrong pointed and the bulk temperature. The ability general consistency in the retrieved ice out that most existing algorithms are to measure the (skin-bulk) gradient concentrations from AMSR-E and regional, and thus are not appropriate from space has very interesting SSM/I data. Clearly AMSR-E is for use at the hemispheric scale. NSIDC implications for weather forecasting superior to SSM/I because of higher has developed an algorithm that is and climate research. resolution. Comiso also showed that applicable at the global scale. He AMSR-E data are more effective than reported that the AMSR-E and MODIS Mitch Goldberg (NOAA) gave a SSM/I data in masking incorrect blended product, which combines the presentation on initial retrievals from retrievals in open ocean areas. He also particular advantages of optical and AIRS. He reviewed AIRS-related discussed cloud-cover effects and passive microwave, will be developed activities at the National presented a new Ice Temperature data as a research product this year and will Environmental Satellite Data and product that is currently obtainable be available as a standard product in Information Service (NESDIS). There only from AMSR-E. 2003. has been excellent collaboration between NASA and NOAA. Goldberg Tom Jackson (U.S. Department of Moustafa Chahine (JPL) gave an discussed risk reduction benefits. He Agriculture) made a presentation on update on AIRS/AMSU/HSB stressed that assimilating AIRS data is a the Soil Moisture Experiments (SMEX). performance and early results. To quote very high priority for the NOAA/ Jackson discussed the objectives of the speaker, “AIRS is doing NASA/DOD Joint Center for Satellite SMEX and noted that the next field fantastically well.” AIRS will obtain Data Assimilation. He then reviewed campaign is planned for 2003. It is images but clearly its main focus will the Numerical Weather Prediction designed to study agricultural crops, be on studies of the infrared spectrum.

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(NWP) Users and the NWP AIRS at all, appears to be a small positive SAGE II. Products. feedback, not a large negative feedback. McCormick then reviewed the solar Major improvements were still found To close, Goldberg ran through a series and lunar occultation technique as to be necessary for cloud height, of slides to show how accurate the employed by SAGE III, and described longwave flux, and especially for cloud various parameters in the model are. details of the instrument. Lunar albedo. He showed that there are major occultation gives SAGE III the ability to deficiencies in the NWP moisture field, Session IV: Validation and New look at nighttime chemistry, which which AIRS should be able to correct. Science Results from Recent SAGE II was not able to do. The Missions—Marc Imhoff, ESSP Project validation phase for SAGE III is Joanna Joiner (GSFC) discussed AIRS Scientist, Goddard Space Flight Center, ongoing. McCormick showed and data assimilation. She discussed a Chair. numerous comparisons, and indicated four-step process wherein a real-time that initial results are very data set is defined, radiance monitoring Byron Tapley (University of Texas encouraging, matching very well with is performed, algorithms are Center for Space Research) gave an previous instruments, and will be able developed, and data are assimilated update on the Gravity Recovery and to continue, at least over the latitudes and evaluated. Climate Experiment (GRACE), the first that SAGE III/METEOR 3M measures, ESSP mission on orbit. This mission the long-standing time series of ozone Joiner pointed out ongoing Data responds to over 30 years of demands and aerosol measurements that are Assimilation Office (DAO) for a mission to map the global gravity used to study trends. collaborative work with other field and study the time-variable government agencies, including the Bruce Haines (JPL) reported on Jason-1 changes in gravity. Joint Center for Satellite Data initial data and results. Jason-1 is a joint Assimilation (JCSDA) and the Earth Tapley briefly reviewed the science U.S./French follow-on mission to the Science Modeling Framework (ESMF), goals of GRACE, the mission systems, venerable TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) with objectives that include and the orbit details. He pointed out mission. Jason-1 was launched from accelerating the use of new satellite some of the key enabling technologies Vandenberg Air Force Base on data in operational numerical weather that make the mission possible, and December 7, 2001. Haines discussed the prediction. showed some preliminary results from scientific payload and the orbit of GRACE. The GRACE satellites provide Jason-1. Jason-1 and T/P actually flew Bruce Wielicki (LaRC) spoke on highly accurate and homogeneous in formation for 7 months. Haines also merging Terra and Aqua CERES data gravity measurements that cover the described an experimental system that products. He began by showing some Earth every 30 days. So far the data provides accurate (5 cm RMS) sea- data from CERES on Aqua and then obtained from GRACE provide a surface height information from Jason- went over the Aqua CERES data status. gravity model whose accuracy for 1 with 3-5 hour latency, enabling near The CERES instruments on Terra and wavelengths longer than 500 real-time studies of the global ocean. Aqua have been intercalibrated in orbit. kilometers is an order of magnitude With the Jason-1 data meeting or Wielicki touched on some of the CERES greater than the pre-GRACE models exceeding all mission requirements, the team’s recent work, which includes a could obtain. Two orders of magnitude precise geophysical data records will be Comparison of Observed Decadal further improvement in gravity model broadly released beginning in February Tropical Radiation Variation with accuracy is anticipated before the 2003. To continue the legacy of precise Current Climate Models. CERES new mission is finished. ocean altimeter measurements from Angular Distribution Models (ADMs) Pat McCormick (Hampton University) space, the Ocean Surface Topography allow for studies of cloud radiative showed some Meteor 3M/SAGE III Mission (OSTM) is planned for a 2006 properties of specific cloud types. The early results. He showed zonal means launch. new ADM flux data have been used to of stratospheric aerosol optical depth David Starr (GSFC) reported on the test the Iris hypothesis using a wide (SOD) and pointed out that the SODs Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical range of ice cloud definitions, but all are the lowest ever measured. He also Anvils and Cirrus Layers-Florida Area cases confirmed that the Iris, if present showed ozone trend data from

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Cirrus Experiment (CRYSTAL-FACE) services to our nation. understanding of carbon exchange field campaign in July 2002. The mechanisms, dynamics, and sources Birk shared more detailed information CRYSTAL-FACE addresses many key and sinks from research sponsored by about a couple of the selected ESE science questions. Six aircraft were NASA and other organizations. applications. Birk then reviewed some involved in the campaign with two of Sheffner showed a diagram of the of the expectations and gave some them serving as state-of-the-art satellite carbon cycle exchange and pointed out specific examples where this approach simulators. Two ground sites — east some of the key questions and has been shown to be effective, and west — were also chosen. There uncertainties in this process. including the areas of: Wildfire was also a very strong theoretical management with the U.S. Forest Carbon management was identified as component, with modelers and Service (MODIS Rapid Response), a national application area within the forecasters on hand, that was well hurricane predictions with NOAA, and Applications Division of ESE because it integrated into the daily operations. establishing guidelines for aviation is a subject that meshes well with the Starr reviewed the instrumentation on safety with the Radio Technical NASA vision and mission. New the ER-2 aircraft used during the study Committee of Aeronautics (RTCA). The technologies are the only way to reduce in some detail and then briefly gaps in measurements supporting CO2 in the atmosphere in the long reviewed instrumentation on the other models and decision systems define term. Sequestration of carbon may aircraft. Starr indicated that future requirements for next generation reduce the rate of increase in plans include involvement in the science data; the process continues. atmospheric CO2 in the near term. An Tropical Composition and Climate approach is needed that blends Greg Stover (LaRC) spoke about the Coupling Experiment (TC3) campaign different responses. Sheffner discussed Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier (planned for EOS Aura validation) and the resources that NASA’s ESE can Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS), a for a CRYSTAL-Tropical Western bring to this discussion. The carbon revolutionary forecast tool. The GIFTS Pacific campaign. It is anticipated that application area provides an mission is the next scheduled New data from the A-Train satellite opportunity for the science community Millennium Program (NMP) mission. formation will be very helpful in the to extend its research into decision- Like all NMP missions, GIFTS is to future campaigns. support tools for issues of national demonstrate technology and point the importance. Session V: NASA’s Earth Science way toward future missions. Stover Applications Strategy and Recent reported that GIFTS is a very high Nancy Maynard (GSFC) presented a Accomplishments—Ronald Birk, spectral resolution measurement that summary of the applications of NASA Director of the Applications Division– will obtain infrared measurements and Earth science data and information to NASA Headquarters, Chair soundings at the rate of 80,000 public health issues. She outlined a soundings a minute. Stover showed roadmap for moving NASA ESE Ronald Birk (NASA HQ, Code YO) examples of the operational mode for observations, data, and research results presented an overview of the Earth GIFTS. He reported that there already into interdisciplinary research projects Science Enterprise Applications has been some water vapor validation with health partners whose Strategy. The strategy for applying the and showed a simulation of the data collaborations ultimately feed results results of NASA’s Earth Science that will be collected. Stover ended by into public health users and relevant research and development is based on a mentioning some specific applications decision-support systems. “systems approach.” The Earth Science for GIFTS data including: flight level Applications Program is establishing Maynard outlined a number of wind measurements, and/or expanding interagency examples of ongoing and potential initiation, aviation turbulence, in-flight agreements with NOAA, USGS, FEMA, applications of Earth science data to a icing, and oceanic weather prediction. EPA, USDA, USGS, DHS, CDC/NIH variety of real and potential public and DOT to work to systematically Ed Sheffner (NASA HQ, Code YO) health threats, such as infectious and benchmark the use of NASA results in discussed the applications objective of vector-borne diseases including West the decision-support tools being a carbon management regime. Such a Nile virus, malaria, Rift Valley fever, employed to deliver information regime would be based on the Ebola, St. Louis encephalitis, dengue

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fever, meningitis, and filariasis. In disaster management. They have (www.fgdc.gov). New missions need to addition, she described other ongoing sponsored Solid Earth and Natural be designed with these standards in or planned applications of NASA data Hazards Applications Research and mind. Quite a few products produced to important health issues such as have funded ten new proposals this by the ESE are already compliant with transport of African/Asian dust, year these standards and King listed them. contaminant transport in the Arctic, UV King pointed out the specific example Ambrose reported that over 100 radiation, air- and water-quality issues, of HDF-EOS. NASA’s activity with projects are nearing completion. He and problems related to oceans, water, these organizations is coordinated discussed remote sensing and and extreme weather. through the Geospatial Interoperability geospatial technologies including Open Office (GIO) at GSFC. Lawrence Friedl (NASA HQ) reported GIS. He also discussed some specific on the impacts of global monitoring on applications that have benefited from DAY THREE: November 20, 2002 regional air-quality management. these new technologies, including an Session VI: New Findings with Friedl discussed overall benefits of this example where QuikScat and TRMM Forcings and Feedbacks in the Earth application in terms of policy, measurements have allowed for System—Berrien Moore III, University assessment and management and improvement in the accuracy of of New Hampshire, Chair showed the 10-year roadmap for hurricane prediction and hurricane systematically employing NASA Earth track. Kingste Mo (Climate Predication observing systems and science results Center [CPC]) gave a presentation on The decision-support system being to serve Air Quality Management. forecasting seasonal hurricane activity used for this application is the Natural in the Atlantic. Both the analogue The observations and predictions Hazard Loss Estimation Methodology method and the ensemble canonical resulting from NASA Earth science resident in the Federal Emergency correlation prediction method are used research can be used to assess global Management Agency’s (FEMA) to forecast seasonal hurricane activity and regional transport of pollutants. Natural Hazard Loss Estimation Model from August-September-October Some other useful applications of for the U.S. (called HAZUS). It is used (ASO). To determine a forecast, the NASA Earth science measurements to determine the risk assessment conditions for the three-month period would include improving the initiation caused by the impact of natural preceding ASO — May-June-July (MJJ) and transport of emissions for input disasters. Ambrose also outlined the — are used as input. In addition to into compliance models and providing progress that is expected over the next forecasts of hurricane activity, the CPC more accurate boundary conditions for decade in this area. also monitors the atmospheric and air-quality models. Roger King (NASA HQ) spoke about oceanic conditions in the Atlantic Friedl ended with a discussion of the critical aspects of interoperability for associated with the hurricane activity Earth Science Applications Program’s systems solutions using Earth science from May thru November. Satellite goals and activities; there are questions results. Interoperability is at the core of data are being used for monitoring associated with each goal. He much of what is being shared in this these conditions, including data on: reviewed plans for FY ‘03 and ‘04 and session. King defined interoperability infrared temperature, low level winds, pointed out that the plan is building as the capability to communicate, water vapor flux, and outgoing toward the availability of EOS Aura execute programs, or transfer data longwave radiation. products. He also reviewed the among various functional units in a J. Marshall Shepherd (GSFC) showed partners in this application, both within manner that requires the user to have evidence of urban influence on rainfall NASA and between federal agencies. little or no knowledge of the unique patterns. They use Tropical Rainfall characteristics of those units. Steve Ambrose (NASA HQ) discussed Measuring Mission (TRMM) data in the impacts of Earth observing King discussed standards that are their analyses and study rainfall satellites on decision-support systems important to NASA, such as Open GIS anomalies downwind of urban centers. serving Disaster Management, and (www.opengis.org) and the Federal The particular emphasis for this study went over the NASA approach to Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) was on Houston, Texas; however,

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Shepherd and his team are conducting workweek and leveled off over the determination of change instead of studies in Atlanta, GA; Oklahoma City, weekend. Certainly, much more work “expert” opinions. Hansen next spoke OK; Tokyo, Japan; Johannesburg, South is needed to reach definitive on the use of high-resolution and very- Africa; and Brasilia, Brazil. conclusions. Future work will build on high-resolution data for these studies. what has already been done. Hansen ended by briefly mentioning Shepherd stated that an area is defined two applications for high-resolution as an “upwind control region” and a Lori Glaze (Proxemy Research) data: Carbon flux studies and “downwind” (urban impacted) region. reported on the EOS Interdisciplinary ecoregion level monitoring. For Houston, the location of the Science Team’s (IDS) project “The downwind area moves throughout the Effects of Volcanism on the Timothy Liu (JPL) presented some year as the prevailing wind patterns Environment.” This IDS study focuses recent applications of scatterometer change. A rainfall anomaly downwind on four different volcanoes: Kilauea in data. He reported that the ADEOS II of Houston does show up fairly Hawaii, Masaya in Nicaragua, Poas in instrument will be identical to the one distinctly in the TRMM data as well as Costa Rica, and Stromboli in Italy. currently in orbit on QuikSCAT. Liu in the rain gage data. Effort is now Glaze pointed out that smaller reported on results from three different being directed toward improving the eruptions that continue for extended studies showing how typhoons at sea parameterization of the land surface in periods of time (i.e., a low level of can actually enhance life through the Fifth-Generation NCAR/Penn State activity persisting for decades) are increasing biological productivity and Mesoscale Model (MM5) model so it every bit as important as big eruptions taking up carbon dioxide; these can be used to study this urban like Pinatubo. These volcanoes are processes have significant impacts on influence in greater detail. characterized by persistent low level local fisheries and on global warming. emissions (at most a few thousand tons Observations from QuikSCAT, TRMM, Menglin Jin (University of Maryland) of sulfur dioxide per day) and there are and SeaWiFS are combined in this presented on assessing human impacts significant health issues associated with study. In the second study, Liu showed on the climate system. To open, she these emissions. She spoke briefly results demonstrating extensive double showed a series of maps showing the about activities at each of these sites intertropical convergence zones, using rather dramatic growth of the human and closed by discussing some future data from QuikSCATand TRMM, and population over the last few centuries. plans and next steps for the program. postulated two different mechanisms Jin’s work is an attempt to separate governing air-sea interaction. In the human induced changes from natural Matthew Hansen (University of third study, Liu reported on possible changes. She showed data that Maryland) presented results from an intra-decadal trends in global winds illustrate that most urban centers are in integrated study of global vegetation and meridional (north-south) heat the Northern Hemisphere from 30 to cover. Hansen showed a MODIS transport in the ocean driven by winds. 70°. The skin temperature observed product depicting Vegetation over urban areas tends to be higher Continuous Fields. He then showed a Max Suarez (GSFC) spoke about land than in surrounding crop land. Also, subset, which gave a more detailed surface initialization for seasonal the urban heat island influence tends to look at a smaller area. Tree cover is the forecasts of precipitation and be more significant at night and in most mature MODIS product and is temperature. He began by looking at winter. one layer of the continuous fields. the science questions that this study attempts to answer, the approach used, Urbanization also impacts surface Hansen discussed the problem of and progress to date. He referred to this properties, tending to reduce surface trying to assess the total amount of technique as a “Poor Man’s” Land Data albedo and emissivity. It also changes forest cover and how continuous fields Assimilation System (LDAS). It is an atmospheric properties, and impacts help respond to this problem. approach to study how soil moisture aerosol optical depth and other Continuous fields allows for a initialization affects seasonal forecasts. important parameters. Jin showed data standardized way to determine the Suarez gave a summary of how the that hinted that there might be a amount of forest cover on a global model improves with correct soil weekly cycle of optical depth that scale. The technique also allows for moisture. He did a model-versus- seemed higher toward the end of the unbiased change studies—automated

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model comparison and also compared indicate how the climate responds to the model runs to actual data. He also sea-ice removal. He also discussed the discussed some potential error sources. influence of variability in both the troposphere and stratosphere. A Michael Jasinski (GSFC) presented an weaker polar vortex, as predicted by overview of the Cold Land Processes the model, is coincident with reduced Experiment (CLPX), a two-year winter meridional overturning in the hydrology experiment taking place in stratosphere. Noone ended by the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The emphasizing the important role that goal is to develop the necessary EOS data are playing in this analysis. database and test a range of sensors The long time series of sea-ice and eventually to put together a proposal ozone data are very important in this for an Earth System Science Pathfinder type of analysis because of the subtle mission. nature of the climate system response.

Summary results were presented from Jean Dickey (JPL) presented on recent the first two field campaigns that Earth oblateness variations: causes and occurred in February (dry snow) and implications. She discussed the concept March (wet snow), 2002, involving of Postglacial Rebound (PGR), which is numerous universities and agencies. the result of the Earth’s response to the Ground and aircraft efforts were weight of glacial ice that accumulated concentrated in three distinct “meso- during the last ice age being removed. cell” study areas. Results were This PGR phenomenon has been the presented from Gamma and main cause of the general downward Microwave radiometry, radar trend in oblateness (departure from a polarimetry, and radar interferometry spherical shape) that persisted until and how they compare to snow depth, 1997, where research indicates that snow density, and snow grain size in oblateness is beginning to increase. the three meso-cell regions. Dickey reviewed a number of possible Two additional campaigns are planned sources for this reversal in oblateness. for February and March 2003. Field Ocean bottom pressure studies reveal data will be analyzed in conjunction that the Tropical Pacific/Indian Ocean with AMSR-E observations obtained could be making a significant from the Aqua platform. Additional contribution to the observed departure CLPX information can be obtained from linearity. Most of remaining from: www.nohrsc.nws.gov/~cline/ nonlinearity is accounted for by sub- clp.html. polar glacier changes. Data from the GRACE mission are eagerly anticipated David Noone (California Institute of and are expected to contribute much to Technology) spoke on the influence of our understanding of climate. arctic sea-ice on the tropospheric and stratospheric circulation, the polar vortex, and ozone: an IDS approach to climate change. Noone showed model results that contrast Arctic conditions in the summer and winter. He also showed results from a general circulation model simulation to

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the spacecraft and instruments. During The SORCE (SOlar Radiation and a three-week out-gassing period to reduce self-contamination, the Climate Experiment) Satellite instruments were sequentially powered Successfully Launched up and tested. Instrument and spacecraft safety were given the highest priority during activation. By the end — Gary Rottman, [email protected], Laboratory for of February, all instrument doors were Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado — Tom Woods, [email protected], Laboratory for Atmospheric open, and science operations had and Space Physics, University of Colorado begun. The first science data are — Robert Cahalan, [email protected], NASA Goddard Space expected to be released approximately Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland two months after the launch or by late — Vanessa George, [email protected], Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado March.

Mission and Science Operations

The SOlar Radiation and Climate Sciences Corporation. The Pegasus was The SORCE satellite is orbiting the Experiment (SORCE) satellite was carried to 40,000 feet and dropped by Earth every 96 minutes, or 15 times successfully launched on Saturday, an L-1011 aircraft carrier, also from daily. Ground stations at Wallops January 25, 2003, from Kennedy Space Orbital. With the plane approximately Island, Virginia and Santiago, Chile are Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, 120 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral providing the communication links to Florida. SORCE is one element of over the Atlantic Ocean, the KSC the satellite two times each day. For the NASA’s Earth Observing System Operations Center gave the command next five years, and hopefully much (EOS), and is measuring solar radiation to release the Pegasus and it went into longer, LASP will continue to operate at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere. a 5-second free-fall before the first of SORCE from its Mission Operations This mission is a joint effort between three stages ignited. Stage 2 ignited 90 Center (MOC) in Boulder, Colorado. NASA and the Laboratory for seconds later, and Stage 3 completed The MOC provides the computer Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) the launch into orbit by igniting about 7 hardware and software necessary to at the University of Colorado, Boulder. minutes later. Spacecraft separation conduct real-time spacecraft LASP has full programmatic occurred at 3:24 p.m. Eastern Standard operational activities, including responsibility for this 5-year mission to Time. It was a perfect launch with no command and control of the satellite, further understand the influence of the unexpected events. mission planning, and assessment and Sun on the Earth system. maintenance of spacecraft and The first signal from SORCE came instrument health. The science In near-perfect weather, SORCE was through within seconds of separation operations from the MOC include launched Saturday, January 25, from a via the NASA Tracking and Data Relay experiment planning, data processing Pegasus XL rocket provided by Orbital Satellite System (TDRSS). A high data and analysis, validation, and rate contact was successful about 20 distribution of the finished data minutes later through a ground station product. in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa. The initial checkout and verification after Within 48 hours of data capture, all launch showed the spacecraft to be in instrument science data and spacecraft excellent shape. Within the first hour of engineering data are processed to the launch, SORCE was in Sun pointing derive Level-3 science data products in mode, the solar arrays were deployed, standard geophysical units (W/m2 or and all systems were operating well. W/m2/nm). The Level-3 data consist of daily and 6-hour average solar The weeks following the launch were The L-1011 and the Pegasus climbing to 40,000 irradiances, with higher time resolution filled with commissioning activities for feet — the elevation required for the drop. data available to meet secondary

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science objectives, such as studying the require in-flight calibration data from instruments, but covered by the passage of bright faculae and dark several months into the future; TIMED SEE instrument) with an sunspots across the visible surface of therefore the daily production of absolute accuracy of 2% to 5% in the Sun. All validated data (both Level science products beyond provisional the ultraviolet, and 0.03% in the 0 and Level 3) are delivered to the quality will lag by a period of several visible to near infrared; and Goddard Space Flight Center Earth months. This results in two streams of • improving our understanding and Sciences Distributed Active Archive data being created on a daily basis: the generating new inquiry by Center (GDAAC) for distribution and provisional stream of preview data that studying how the variable solar long-term storage. are available within 48 hours, and a irradiance affects our atmosphere secondary stream of finished validated and climate, and how and why The SORCE instruments are taking data that supersede the preview data a variability occurs at the Sun. This Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance (TSI few months after the initial preview knowledge will then be used to and SSI) measurements, which are used release. The preview SORCE data are estimate past and future solar to produce two principal data products. sent to the Goddard DAAC within 48 behavior and climate response. The spectral solar irradiance data from hours of reception, and the finished SORCE are delivered as a file for each validated data products are sent to the SORCE Instruments day of observations. The Total Solar Goddard DAAC approximately four All of the instruments onboard SORCE Irradiance (TSI) data are a much months after initial data reception. All were developed, built, calibrated, and smaller size and, to maximize ease of SORCE data products can be accessed tested at LASP, and were reviewed in use to end-users, each delivered TSI via the DAAC web site at detail in the May/June 2002 issue of product contains daily science results daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/DAAC_DOCS/ The Earth Observer. They are the Total for the entire mission. Updates to TSI gdaac_home.html. data occur monthly. Irradiance Monitor (TIM), the Spectral Science Objectives Irradiance Monitor (SIM), two Solar Science data processing is performed Stellar Irradiance Comparison automatically within 24 hours of data NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise Experiments (SOLSTICE), and the X- reception, and a preview release of includes a space-based component ray Photometer System (XPS). TIM, science data is made available to the consisting of a constellation of satellites SIM, and SOLSTICE are measuring public within 48 hours, following to monitor the Earth system from solar irradiance and the solar spectrum preliminary data inspection. space. These sustained and to help scientists understand the Sun’s Appropriate corrections for some time- comprehensive observations include role in climate change. The XPS dependent processes (such as the measurement of solar irradiance as measures high-energy radiation from instrument degradation correction) the dominant direct energy input to the Sun as a prime indicator of solar land, ocean, and atmosphere. The activity, such as flare events. SORCE observations will facilitate a better understanding of the Sun and its SORCE provides precise daily impact on the Earth. The SORCE measurements of the TSI with the TIM mission is: instrument, as well as the spectral solar • establishing a data set of Total irradiance (SSI) at wavelengths Solar Irradiance (TSI) to continue a extending from the far ultraviolet to the long-term record, with an absolute near infrared with the SOLSTICE, SIM, accuracy better than 100 ppm (1σ) and XPS instruments. TIM monitors and a relative accuracy between changes in incident sunlight to the measurements of 0.001% (10 ppm) Earth’s atmosphere via an ambient per year; temperature active cavity radiometer. • establishing a data set of solar Using a new development that spectral irradiance from 1 nm to incorporates state-of-the-art The Pegasus is dropped and goes into a 5- 2000 nm (excluding 31-120 nm, technologies in its Electrical second free-fall before igniting which is not covered by SORCE Substitution Radiometers (ESRs), TIM

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measures TSI to an absolute accuracy of 11-year solar cycle. in understanding the Earth’s response 100 ppm, where 100 ppm = 0.0001. to solar variations. The Sun has both The XPS instrument measures the very direct and indirect influences on the The newly developed SIM instrument energetic EUV and soft x-ray flux, terrestrial system, and SORCE’s incorporates an entirely different where the solar variability exceeds a comprehensive total and spectral solar technique to make the first continuous factor of two. Its precision and relative measurements will provide the record of the top of the atmosphere accuracy requirements are, therefore, requisite understanding of this ± spectral solar irradiance in the visible/ on the order of 10%. It measures important climate system variable. near-infrared region. It uses a prism as broadband spectral irradiance from 1 to the self-calibrating, single optical 34 nm, and is designed similar to the SORCE Data Validation element and a miniature absolute ESR XPS on the TIMED (Thermosphere- as the primary detector. This Ionosphere-Mesosphere Energetics and A SORCE Instrument and Data instrument has a measurement Dynamics) satellite. The XPS extends Validation Workshop will be held April requirement of 0.03% absolute accuracy the solar XUV irradiance measure- 28-30 to review the initial data coming and a precision and long-term relative ments with improved accuracy, spectral from the instruments. This meeting will accuracy of 0.01% per year. The SIM range, and temporal coverage. The concentrate on the first results and instrument measures spectral solar XUV radiation is emitted from the plans to refine data processing and irradiance from 200 to 2000 nm. hot, highly variable corona on the Sun, validate the irradiance data. For and these high-energy photons are a additional information, please contact There are two identical SOLSTICE primary energy source for heating and Vanessa George at LASP, vanessa.george instruments on SORCE to measure ionizing Earth’s upper atmosphere. @lasp.colorado.edu. spectral irradiance from 115 to 320 nm, with a spectral resolution of 0.1 nm. Understanding the Sun Acknowledgements These instruments are an evolution and The authors acknowledge the following refinement of the Upper Atmosphere The SORCE research and data individuals for their contributions Research Satellite’s (UARS) SOLSTICE, collection are very important for towards a successful launch of the and they observe bright blue stars as a ongoing and future EOS science. There SORCE satellite. long-term calibration standard. is much that we will learn about the Previous solar measurements show that Earth’s radiation and energy balance • LASP, University of Colorado, far-ultraviolet irradiance varies by as through continuous TSI measurements. SORCE Team Members: Jerry much as 10% during the Sun’s 27-day However, global energy balance Harder, Greg Kopp, George rotation, while the bright 121.6 nm considerations alone likely do not Lawrence, Bill McClintock, Tom hydrogen Lyman-α emission may vary provide the entire story, and how TSI Sparn, Mike Anfinson, Rick by as much as a factor of two during an variations are distributed in Kohnert, Tim Holden, and the wavelength will be critically important entire engineering staff.

• NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: William Ochs, SORCE Project Manager; Douglas Rabin, SORCE Deputy Project Scientist; Debbie Dodson, Mission Business Manager; and Cary Lively, System Engineer.

• Orbital Science Corporation, Dulles, Virginia: Rob Fulton, SORCE Spacecraft Manager, Philip Burkholder, Ed Kozlosky, Dave Oberg, and the entire spacecraft Stage 1 ignition, five seconds after the Pegasus was dropped. engineering staff.

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For additional information on the SORCE Mission, visit the website at lasp.colorado.edu/sorce/ for the latest news and updates.

(right) Tom Woods, SORCE Project Scientist at LASP, reviews preliminary data from the instruments.

(bottom) Personnel working in the LASP Mission Operations Center at the University of Colorado, Boulder

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Hotel in Palm Springs, California Summary of the 22nd and 23rd December 3-5, 2002. Palm Springs was selected for its proximity to the Salton ASTER Science Team Meetings Sea ASTER test site. Approximately 70 attendees represented U.S. and — Andrew Morrison, [email protected], Jet Propulsion Japanese Universities and Government Laboratory Agencies. — Masatane Kato, [email protected], Earth Remote Sensint Data Analysis Center (ERSDAC), Tokyo, Japan Opening Plenary Session

22nd ASTER Science Team Meeting Anne Kahle, U.S. ASTER Science Team products, and the Japanese have Leader, opened the meeting, welcomed The 22nd Advanced Spaceborne also started distribution of Digitial the attendees, and presented the Thermal Emission and Reflection Elevation Model/Ortho (DEM/ agenda. H. Tsu, ASTER Science Team Radiometer (ASTER) Science Team Ortho) products in May. (Ortho is Leader, expressed his pleasure to be at Meeting (ASTM) was held in Tokyo, the term used for Level 3 products the meeting and advised the attendees Japan, May 21-23, 2002. The first two with features that can be viewed that M. Kudo and Y. Yamaguchi would days of the meeting were filled with a on geographic maps). Atmospheric not be attending the meeting — Kudo- plenary session, splinter meetings of Correction and Temperature san because he was ill and hospitalized each working group (WG), and the Emissivity Separation (TES) and Yamaguchi-san because he was general meeting (there were 70 products will be distributed as busy preparing a COE proposal. Bjorn participants including U.S. and soon as possible. Eng, U.S. ASTER Project Manager, Japanese ASTER science team welcomed the Team to Palm Springs • Both the Level 1 WG and the members). On the last day, a workshop and presented the meeting logistics. Radiometric Calibration WG to introduce ASTER data applications discussed the issue of crosstalk was held (with 170 participants Woody Turner correction. The next ASTM will , NASA Headquarters, including U.S. and Japanese ASTER address methods of crosstalk presented the NASA Vision Statement science team members and general correction and optimum (noting that ‘Life’ appears in all three users). The following are the highlights parameters (see summary of 23rd statements), the NASA Mission of the discussion: ASTM below). Statement, 23 ESE research questions (broken up into five theme areas — • ASTER equipment is operating • Since the ASTER data application Variability, Forcing, Response, smoothly without any problem. workshop was open to the public, Consequences, and Prediction), and 12 • The number of ASTER scenes questions and comments were Applications Themes. He said that it obtained totals approximately actively exchanged in reference to has not yet been decided whether the 414,000, which covers most of the the 17 subjects presented by the proposals submitted in response to this land area on Earth. In response to U.S. and Japanese science team recent Request for Proposals (RFP) will this, the possibility of carrying out members, as well as by be evaluated just on the basis of their a second global mapping was investigators of the Announcement Research content or for both Research discussed at the Operation and of Research Opportunity on and Applications. Either way, the Mission Planning Working Group ASTER data use (ARO) users, proposals submitted will be evaluated (OMPWG), and it was decided to which led to a better for their responsiveness to the 23 monitor observation status until understanding of the ASTER data. research questions. Additionally, if the next ASTM in order to Applications are also part of the call, 23rd ASTER Science Team Meeting investigate the possibility. the proposals will also be evaluated in terms of their responsiveness to the 12 • The U.S. side has already started The 23rd ASTER Science Team Meeting Applications Themes. distribution of higher-level was held at the Hyatt Regency Suites

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B. Eng reviewed the status of Level-2 Webpage (IMS/WEB) (these will be but he also noted a drop-off of nearly product validation. He said that all the available in December) and the two orders of magnitude in total orders L2 products have now been validated production of crosstalk-corrected after a charge for all users was with the exception of the Polar HLDPs that may be ‘optional’ implemented on August 12. Classification product, which requires products. more data to complete. Validation He said that the reprocessing of data to Sato-san said that he hopes that these using Moderate Resolution Imaging compensate for sensor degradation is products will be available next year. B. Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and nearly completed, but he added that Eng said that JPL is planning to Mulitangle Imaging Spectro- the increased rate of change of the data crosstalk-correct L1A products to Radiometer (MISR) data will require is creating the problem of keeping up produce corrected HLDPs on demand. updates to the software to with the changing calibration The corrected L1As will not be accommodate the current MODIS and coefficients. archived, just produced as the HLDPs MISR formats. Eng asked the Team are ordered. He said that the correction He then presented a list of five major members to advise him of any bugs or is being coded up now, and that test upgrades of the ASTER GDS including: problems with the products. Reports scenes have been solicited from the U.S. can be sent to him at [email protected]. • Public release of HLDPs Science Team members. He also invited gov. He will compile the reports in a • Storage tape change the Japanese Team members to submit free-form database. He asked for JPEG test scenes and reported that the • Credit card ordering by web files illustrating the problems if they software will be tested soon. There was are available. • Data search by IWS for data (in considerable discussion to clarify the Japanese) with 2X browse scenes Isao Sato presented an update of the differences between the U.S. and provided status of the Higher Level Data Japanese processes. It was agreed that • Upgrade of IMS/WWW Products (HLDP), especially focusing the L2 products from each side will on the ASTER Ground Data System have some differences, and it will be Watanabe-san also reviewed what he (GDS) at the Earth Remote Sensing necessary to compare them. saw as the major troubles and their Data Analysis Center (ERSDAC). He counter-measures. Regarding the H. Watanabe presented the status of reported that, since the last Team projected lifetime of ASTER/Terra, the GDS. He showed a chart of data meeting, three products have been Watanabe-san noted that the spacecraft acquisition over time, which showed released. They are the D-Stretch, and is now 3 years old; that based on its periodic drops for calibrations and a the semi-standard DEM-Z and 3-D fuel-life history, it could last 9+ years; slow drift downward that might be orthographic data products. He said and that based on its pointing cycles attributed to the increased scattering of that they’ve recently released resource, 6 years may be possible for acquisition targets as the map fills in. atmospherically corrected Very Near the VNIR and 10 years may be He pointed out increases in both Infrared (VNIR) and Short-Wave projected for the Thermal Infrared volume and quality of the data Infrared (SWIR) radiance and (TIR). A. Kahle noted that the pointing distributed since the GDS switched to reflectance data sets. Most of the resource limits are only estimates, and using Sony DTF-2 tapes, and he HLDPs, except for Temperature- it could last more or less than the showed a summary of data processed Emissivity Separation (TES), have now estimate. Fujisada-san said that inter- and an analysis of those results, been released from GDS at ERSDAC, telescope registration problems might indicating that, although there was an and TES will be released toward the signal pointing degradation, but that improvement in success rate, there is end of December. He reported the total no such problems have been detected still an approximately 10% failure rate, number of scenes that GDS at ERSDAC yet. Watanabe-san noted that the some of that due to a bit-flip problem. has released and presented the daily biggest lifetime problem might be the averages of each product. Their future Watanabe-san reported that about 3000 budget. He said that there is no plans include producing 2-times scenes have been distributed to paying guarantee of funding after 5 years. enlarged browse products in the users, and many more than that have Woody Turner noted that the U.S.- Information Management System been distributed to non-paying users, Japanese MOU commits the U.S. to

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provide support for as long as the time should be taken to see the real support of the JPL PAO Office to get spacecraft is viable. impact. out ASTER results. Woody Turner B. Bailey presented the Land Processes M. Maekawa, in his Science Scheduling noted that ASTER Outreach is very DAAC status report. He discussed Support Group (SSSG) Report, showed visible and important at HQ. Mike and implementation of L1A-to-L1B ASTER total-coverage maps and 0%- Bjorn will forward their Quarterlies to processing and explained that the 20% cloud coverage maps for the globe, Turner. proposal is to process only the pre- the U.S., and Japan from launch Prior to adjourning the Plenary Session, January 2002 L1As. There was some through November 20, 2002. The total A. Kahle presented a list of issues she discussion on the proposal, which has global-coverage map included 518,264 asked the Working Groups to consider not yet been approved by NASA scenes, while the 0%-20% cloud- in their Splinter Sessions. The list Headquarters. Bailey also presented a coverage global map included 214,154 included Crosstalk-Correction, summary of data ingest, production, scenes. He broke down the observation Calibration Coefficient updates, and distribution, noting a puzzling achievements by km2, number of Atmospheric Correction Algorithm, drop off of ingest over the last Summer scenes and percent satisfied for Data Global Mapping Second Round, that will be studied. He also discussed Acquisition Requests (DARs), Science Geometrical or other data problems, the implementation and impact of the Team Acquisition Request (STAR)- and Workshops and Special Journal pricing policy implemented in August Local, STAR-Regional Monitoring, and Issues. A discussion of known ASTER in which most users will pay $55/scene STAR-Global Mapping and data problems and plans to address for L1A and L1B data and decorrelation Engineering Team Request (ETR)- them also preceded adjournment of the products plus a $5 shipping fee (NASA Observation. The Global Map Opening Plenary. and affiliated users as well as requirement has been nearly 71% ‘educational’ users will still receive the satisfied. He also presented a plan for a Splinter Sessions data and data products at no charge). second round of Global Mapping (vs. Finally, Bailey gave the DEM attempting to complete the first Global Level-1/Geometric/DEM Working Group Generation System update: Lyle Mars Mapping STAR) to best utilize the (M. Abrams) noted that, based on his observations at remaining ASTER resources. The This working group met to discuss the the most recent USGS meeting, the Science Team was asked to complete a status of the Level-1 ASTER data. ASTER DEM is its most important questionnaire regarding possibly Fujisada-san provided an update on the product for the Geology community. changing the sun elevation parameter Japanese Level-1 software validation. (lowering it to enhance the topographic There was considerable discussion No changes were developed since the effect, widening it to lower the about the extent of public knowledge last meeting. An anomalous scene was minimum sun elevation angle, or and need to advertise the Distributed found with excessive, uncorrected keeping it as is) for the second round. Active Archive Center (DAAC’s) data SWIR parallax. This was under pool that contains ASTER data over the M. Abrams summarized ASTER investigation. Iwasaki-san showed the U.S. and territories and is free to all outreach activities. He listed the shows results of geometric analysis of Path users. and presentations that ASTER has 174 (36 scenes). Inter-telescope registration exceeds mission It appears in the preliminary data that participated in during the last year and requirements for the entire strip, and the implementation of charging for announced the redesign of the ASTER underlines the stability of the ASTER scenes has resulted in a web site (asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov) that now instrument. Crosstrack jitter of 0.4 reduction of orders by two orders of features an ASTER “Image of the pixels was seen as a result of spacecraft magnitude (from ~200,000 orders/ Week.” He reported that the ASTER harmonics. A pitch anomaly was month to ~2,000 orders/month). Simon Handbook has been released and that identified that was also due to a Hook suggested that the reduction is ASTER personnel have been spacecraft attitude “hiccup”. Fujisada- not due to charging for the data, but to interviewed for an upcoming NASA san described a geolocation error that is the difficulty in paying for it. Bailey video. Abrams solicited contributions a function of latitude. He presented said that too much emphasis shouldn’t from the ASTER Science Team model results, on-orbit measurements, be placed on this early data and some members and offered his help and the

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and a correction algorithm involving a Andy French described estimating was reported for estimating velocity of higher order polynomial. He proposed evapotranspiration over central ice movement in the Himalayas. to ERSDAC that they incorporate the Oklahoma, examining the effects of Three different investigator groups fix in a future version of the Level-1 spatial resolution, comparing ASTER’s presented updates on volcano software. The U.S. side will investigate 90 m data with 1000 m derived data. monitoring using ASTER data. Spectral how to pass on the information to reflectance analysis of ASTER data of users. Three presentations on DEM Tsuneo Matsunaga next reported on areas in Morocco, Mexico, and software and status were discussed. ASTER Japanese Science Team Australia demonstrated the potential of Rick Wessels described ongoing members activities, including coral reef ASTER data for mapping mineralogical developments by the Global Land Ice mapping; vegetation change in the constituents, and the need for Measurements from Space (GLIMS) Taklamakan Desert; water quality improved calibration, particularly in project to produce DEM software. monitoring at Lake Kasumigaura; and ASTER band 9. Subtle compositional Mike Abrams showed a beta version of vegetation mapping in Kyushu. Tom variations across active faults may a commercial DEM generation package Schmugge compared land-surface prove to be very useful means of that runs as a plug-in to ENVI. Bryan emissivity and radiometric temperature documenting offsets due to tectonic Bailey discussed the Land Processes derived from MODIS and ASTER activity. DAAC (LPDAAC) status for DEM sensors. Shuichi Rokugawa presented a generation. Already 1500 DEMs have study on the relation between seashore STAR Committee Splinter Session (L. been produced and archived. erosion and local environmental Maldonado) change in a Thai delta. His work took Production is running at the rate of Japanese and U.S. Science Team advantage of all of ASTER’s spectral about 120/month. Nevertheless, there members met to review New STAR bands to derive temperature, land use, is still a backlog of orders stretching for Proposals. There was one new proposal and water quality. Michael Abrams about 6 weeks. Lyle Mars noted a presented by Japan that is to be described a comparative study using geolocation error for scenes taken with evaluated using the new STARtool ASTER, Earth Observer-1 (EO-1), and extreme pointing angles, and at high operated at GDS. The new STARtool Thematic Mapper data to measure average ground elevations. This error is will provide an online review process water penetration at Lake Tahoe. The inherent in the data, and only ortho- for the respective Working Group new, shorter wavelength blue band on rectification could remove it. Fujisada- Chairs, and Science Team Members. EO-1 gave better penetration than san pointed out that an orthorectified Proposals can be approved or rejected existing sensors. Mike Ramsey image product is available to users after the respective groups have described a new project for urban from GDS. communicated online using the new monitoring in and Sao tool. Ecosystems/Oceanography Working Group Paulo, Brazil. Report (M. Abrams) Users must still contact an associated Geology Working Group (L. Rowan) ASTER Science Member (WG Chair or This working group was excited to hear Science Team Member) in order to The Geology Working Group reports eight presentations on scientific propose a new STAR. The ASTER spanned a wide range of topics, research with ASTER data. Kenta member will become the “sponsor” for including glacial studies, volcano Ogawa described estimation of land the user and will submit the request monitoring, lithologic mapping, and surface window emissivity and using his or her assigned username and geomorphological-tectonic studies. The broadband emissivity in a part of the password. Notification to the user will GLIMS project now involves 23 Sahara Desert. He has developed a be done either by the respective Science regional centers, and during this past mosaic using over 200 ASTER scenes Scheduling Support Group (SSSG), year ASTER data have been acquired at for his analysis. Tsuneo Matsunaga Sponsor, or WG chair. Details are still numerous important glacial deposits. reported on validation of a split- forthcoming. window algorithm to measure water ASTER data were used in support of The last issue discussed concerned surface temperature. The results were emergency efforts in two glacier-related DARtool allocation. Japan and U.S. in excellent agreement with buoy floods in Belvedere, Italy and in Science Team Members agreed to measurements taken on Tokyo Bay. southern Russia. Significant progress

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appropriately address each request for values. Unless instrument engineers interpolation an increase based upon science needs. can guarantee that increasing the - recommendation to use bilinear The respective countries will review the current allowable pointing limit will interpolation for L1B-L2 default request and will be able to increase the not affect the life of the instrument - exact source of problem still total allocation up to three times (based telescope, there will likely be no change needs to be established on the user category). Details are still in the current operating parameters. • Anomalous behavior over warm/ forthcoming. hot targets — Ramsey The last issue for OMPWG was to - temperature differences of 4 K ASTER Operation and Mission Planning consider a request by the GLIMS PIs to between TES & NEM, source Working Group (OMPWG) / SSSG update current STARs in the system unclear Splinter Session (L. Maldonado) and re-prioritize low-coverage areas - emissivities appear to agree but with those where good coverage has may be unrealistic Japan has proposed submitting a occurred. The first idea is to • Comparison of ASTER TES and revised version of Global Map with a temporarily suspend existing STARs CIMEL emissivity spectra — Global Map-II that will raise low- and replace them with the new Matsunaga priority and Medium-priority GM- updated versions for a one-year period. - agreement at Railroad Valley is STARs accordingly. The priorities will Due to the amount of requests needed better than 0.01 over 3 years be based upon completion rate of GM- to be updated/suspended, a batch - long-term variability for both ≤ I. The revised version includes a update tool would need to be 0.03 (band 10) request to limit sun-angle (between 30- developed. Other options would • ASTER TES follow-on activity 60 degrees) for mid-latitude require many man-hours to handle acquisitions during Autumn and each request individually. Due to the Action Items Summary Spring. Another option is to widen the scheduler capacity limits, simply 1 Add soil spectra to ASTER library sun-angle limit range (30-90 degrees). adding a batch of new requests would — Simon Hook, Will Stevanov. Each option has pros and cons that not be a viable option without being Status: spectra are queued and will need to be further evaluated by the able to suspend the equal number of be added to ASTERLIB at next Science Team in the U.S. before existing STARs. Both scheduling teams update agreement is reached. A decision will are in the process of finding a 2 Striping in emissivity images — be made by the end of January 2003. reasonable method to accommodate the Shuichi Rokugawa. Status: request. In the interim, the Science The pointing-limit function, which striping results from geometric Team is evaluating the request and controls the total number of telescope correction. Exact cause must be considering effects of the modifications pointing maneuvers, has been above identified. Gillespie will on other high-interest areas. the nominal operating parameters for summarize one hypothesis. the VNIR telescope. The effect is a Temperature/Emissivity Working Group Recommendations made to HLDP reduced number of observations for the (A. Gillespie) WG. Area of Interest (AOI) requiring 3 Final U.S. product release — Alan pointing adjustments along the track Agenda and discussion summary: Gillespie. Status: Validated line. The current threshold is based • TES status update — Gillespie products released on schedule. upon the expected life of the validated product released 8/02 Action item closed. instrument and calculations derived by with minor adjustments 4 TES performance evaluation — the instrument engineers. Given that no • T/E separation in the TIR/MIR Mike Ramsey. Status: Possible other indicators that would raise a (MTI satellite) — Mushkin temperature anomalies over concern for the telescope life • Status of L1B re-sampling problem warm/hot targets reported. expectancy have been experienced, a due to geometric correction — Ramsey will continue GDS team member was asked to Tonooka documentation over Soufriere and communicate with instrument -“noisy” stripes (2-5 K; 0.05-0.10) in track down source of problem. engineers to re-evaluate the current TIR (worst); VNIR & SWIR also allowable 20,000 lifetime pointing - not as obvious with bilinear The group heard from B. Eng of JPL

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and C. Cattrall of the University of not as susceptible to water vapor which will allow Level-2 data products Arizona regarding the inclusion of variations and was found to provide to be corrected for this effect. MISR-derived aerosol and MODIS more accurate emissivity retrievals products in the atmospheric correction over water than the current algorithm. ASTER team planning continues for the of the reflective bands of ASTER. It was Work will be done over the next six deep-space maneuver and Lunar look determined that a new look-up table months to investigate incorporating in March 2003. The Lunar calibration for the atmospheric correction could be this new approach into the operational will provide an estimate of the completed within two months using algorithm. calibration accuracy for the VNIR and the new aerosol models being SWIR bands and a stray light estimate implemented by MISR. The topic of a Radiometric Calibration Working Group/ for the TIR bands. new look-up table was also discussed ASTER Calibration Team Meeting (F. Closing Plenary Session by K. Thome of the University of Palluconi) Arizona with regard to reducing Both the onboard and vicarious The Closing Plenary convened mid- artifacts in the atmospheric correction calibration results for 2002 were afternoon on December 5. The Working product at the boundaries of the 15-km examined with the trends seen in Group Chairs summarized the scale of the input parameters. Cattrall previous years generally continuing presentations, discussions, and and Thome will investigate an (there is some evidence the decline in conclusions from their respective appropriate method for a pixel-to-pixel gain is decreasing in the VNIR and TIR splinter meetings (see above). H. Tsu correction. Thome also raised the channels). The gain of the VNIR and summed up the meeting by saying that difficulties that will be encountered in TIR channels continues to slowly this was a short 2 1/2 days, but a great the atmospheric correction of band 9 of decline, and the SWIR gain is nearly deal had been accomplished. He said ASTER even after the band has been constant with time. To account for the that in Japan they are beginning to corrected for crosstalk effects. The gain changes observed, the Radiometer consider possible post-ASTER projects. uncertainty in this band will be Calibration Coefficients (RCCs) applied Upcoming workshops and special dominated by absorption due to water in the generation of Level-1B products issues of journals will provide good vapor with 10% uncertainty in column for the VNIR will be updated as opportunities for planning post-ASTER water vapor leading to a 5-10% error in indicated by the onboard lamps/ projects. However, he noted that the band 9 reflectance for typical vicarious calibration results and the ASTER could last 10 years or longer so column water vapor amounts and TIR RCCS will be updated every 3 that it is not necessary to hurry, but it is moderate sun angles. months based on the onboard long- necessary to begin to think about it. A. Kahle said that the U.S. Team would be Further discussions in the working term calibration results verified by the glad to work with the Japanese on post- group centered on validation results. R. vicarious calibration results. As the TIR ASTER planning. The meeting was Welch showed that the ASTER polar radiances have been validated to the adjourned at 5:00 pm. cloud mask algorithm applied to over equivalent of a few tenths degree 2000 MODIS images of various sites Kelvin, Tonooka-san developed an (including several Atmospheric easy to use method, which can be used Radiation Measurement [ARM] sites) to correct existing L1B TIR data for the showed good agreement with ground- month-to-month trend in instrument based instrumentation and image- gain. At 300 K, use of this method based assessments. Validation using would reduce the error due to gain ASTER scenes still awaits a changes to 0.2 K. This method is to be significantly larger number of ASTER made available to users through the scenes to be collected. H. Tonooka ASTER web sites in Japan and the U.S. completed the working group meeting An ASTER SWIR crosstalk algorithm with a presentation of a modified (operating on L1A image data) is being atmospheric correction for the TIR developed in the U.S. for use in bands of ASTER. This new method is generating a pre-Level-2 correction,

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Application Programming Interfaces Minutes from HDF / HDF-EOS (APIs) for HDF5, replacing older viewing tools with a single viewer/ Workshop VI editor (begun in 2002), upgrading other tools , and releasing a tool that will — Lori J. Tyahla, [email protected], Global Science & Technology, compare the structure and content of Inc. two HDF5 files and report the differ- — Richard Ullman, [email protected], Goddard Space Flight Center ences. Additional future activities may include investigating using HDF data in a web environment (XML, Java The sixth annual Hierarchical Data community feedback and discussion on server pages, etc.). A list of various Format (HDF) and HDF-EOS Work- the future direction of the standard. groups and activities considering or shop was held December 4-5, 2002 in already using HDF was presented, Copies of all presentation materials are San Francisco, CA in conjunction with among them were the National Polar- available on the HDF-EOS Tools and the Fall meeting of the American orbiting Operational Environmental Information web site: hdfeos.gsfc.nasa. Geophysical Union (AGU). Several Satellite System (NPOESS) and the gov. The following HDF and HDF- overlapping sessions took place National Archives and Records EOS-related talks were presented: including, “How to Obtain NASA EOS Administration. Data,” “How to Program in HDF and Introduction and ESDIS Status and HDF-EOS Library Development and HDF-EOS,” “Status and Plans for HDF Plans, HDF-EOS Web Site Status and HDF-EOS,” and a poster session Richard Ullman (NASA Earth Science on “EOS Data Access and Manipula- Larry Klein (L3 Communications, Inc.) Data and Information System [ESDIS] tion: Tools and Techniques.” presented a brief description of HDF- Project) provided an overview of ESDIS EOS2, a more detailed description of The session on obtaining NASA EOS Science Data Services, including Earth HDF-EOS5, and a list of tools that will data provided a full day of training on Science satellite missions supported, operate on one, the other, or both the web-based interfaces used to select volume of data flowing into and out of versions of HDF-EOS. One tool and order NASA EOS data as well as the archives, and a profile of the overall (heconvert) will convert HDF-EOS2 demonstrations of many tools designed user community. The Earth Observing objects to HDF-EOS5 objects. A list of to view or assist in analysis of HDF and System Data and Information System the supported operating systems and HDF-EOS data. For those developing (EOSDIS) Core System (ECS) has compilers was provided. A few HDF or HDF-EOS products or develop- moved from development to opera- remaining issues still need to be ing tools to work with HDF-EOS tional mode. Ullman highlighted two addressed including use of the gzip products, NASA and the National major areas of new capability — those compression method, a 2 GB file size Center for Supercomputing Applica- of Data Pools and the EOS Clearing limit, and that metadata are not tions (NCSA) provided a full day of House (ECHO). Overviews of each area updated for swath stitching in the hands-on tutorials in how to program were presented. Ullman also discussed unlimited dimension. with HDF under the instruction of the the features of the upgraded HDF-EOS developers of the HDF and HDF-EOS Tools and Information web site. HDF5 I/O Performance software. Attendees were also able to address their specific needs via one-on- HDF Status and Developments Elena Pourmal (NCSA) gave an one discussions with the HDF and overview of the HDF5 Library tuning Mike Folk (NCSA) gave a brief HDF-EOS developers. knobs for sequential and parallel summary of HDF library and tool performance. Sequential performance development during 2002 followed by The HDF/HDF-EOS Standards session can be tuned at the file level or the data future plans. Plans for 2003 include occurred in parallel with the tool set transfer level, and Pourmal de- releasing HDF5 v1.6 in the Spring training session and featured presenta- scribed specific instances of each. She (expected to include szip compression), tions on the status of HDF and HDF- also discussed application memory and EOS, and provided an opportunity for completing work on high-level

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file space management using tech- activities will guide the formulation Information web site (hdfeos.gsfc.nasa. niques such as chunking, compression, process. Ullman also provided the gov/workshops/workshops.cfm). and data shuffling. Three file-level status of the process as well as some HDFView tuning knobs for parallel HDF5 were near-term study findings. Additional presented. Several performance tests SEEDS information can be found at Peter Cao (NCSA) presented HDFView. were conducted and Pourmal de- eos.nasa.gov/seeds. This is a Java-based tool for browsing scribed both the test and the results. and editing NCSA HDF4 and HDF5 Selecting HDF5 as the Standard for files. HDFView allows users to browse Transition from HDF4 to HDF5 NPOESS through any HDF4 and HDF5 file Robert McGrath (NCSA) expects that Alan Goldberg (MITRE Corp.) starting with a tree view of all top-level for many years, most environments presented the products and data objects in an HDF file’s hierarchy. will use both HDF4 and HDF5 data delivery requirements of the NPOESS HDFView’s editing features allow a and software. Current NASA Earth and related issues. He also discussed a user to create, delete, and modify the Science Enterprise (ESE) holdings are schedule with a target date of mid-2008 value of HDF objects and attributes. HDF4-based (Terra, Aqua, Landsat 7, for system operational readiness in Algorithm Development and Mining etc.), but in the near future HDF5-based anticipation of the first NPOESS launch System (ADaM) holdings will come on-line (Aura, in mid-2009. Goldberg listed and possibly others). He presented four described seven reasons that HDF5 was Steve Tanner (Information Technology important goals for NCSA and NASA: chosen as the standard for NPOESS. and Systems Center/University of These included familiarity, maturity, Alabama-Huntsville - ITSC/UAH) • support both formats and libraries; capability, compatibility, availability, presented a tutorial on the ADaM • interoperation of data and libraries; interoperability, and efficiency. system. The ADaM system enables • conversion of data; and users to mine large scientific data sets • conversion of software. “Ask the Experts” Discussion for geophysical phenomena detection McGrath discussed the issues relevant Richard Ullman, Robert McGrath, and and feature extraction. Tanner pre- to each goal and provided suggestions Larry Klein led this open discussion sented an overview of the ADaM for users. about the future direction for HDF and architecture, components, and data HDF-EOS. formats. He explained what a “Mining Strategy for Evolution of ESE Data Plan” was and how to create one using Systems (SEEDS) Tool Training and Demonstrations the ADaM Plan Builder. He then Richard Ullman (NASA EISDIS) The workshop provided an opportu- demonstrated how the tool can be used described SEEDS as a strategy for nity for attendees to receive training on to identify cancerous breast cells using NASA’s ESE to maximize the science several data analysis and search and a Bayes Classifier. and applications utility of ESE data, a order tools and to see demonstrations EOS Data Gateway (EDG) formulation study of best practices, a of others. A few of the presentations process for incorporating lessons provided updates of previously Mark Nestler (Global Science & learned, and a tool for engaging available tools; these included Technology, Inc. - GST) provided communities of ESE data providers and misr_view, the HDF-EOS-to-GeoTiff training on the EDG. The EDG is a users. He listed seven formulation (HEG) Converter tool, the EOS Imaging user interface that enables users to study areas and provided the schedule Tool (formerly the Polar HDF-EOS Data access the data holdings in NASA’s status. Ullman presented a flow Imaging and Subsetting Tool), HDF Distributed Active Archive Centers diagram of the SEEDS Standards Explorer, and the HDF-EOS Web-based (DAACs) and other data centers Process for approving and developing Subsetter (HEW). Many new tools worldwide. Its primary function is standards, and a list of the types of were also presented and are summa- data search and order; secondary standards the process will address. A rized below. More detailed information functions include summary and Standards Working Group whose on all of the tool presentations can be detailed document searches. Nestler members represent NASA-ESE funded found on the HDF-EOS Tools and demonstrated step by step how to

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create a user account and how to build four MPGC usage scenarios. code examples written in C++, C#, and a primary data search using keywords McIDAS-Lite JavaScript. The current version (7.0) and using data granule IDs. He also supports HDF5, XML, BMP, GIF, JPG, Dave Santek (Space Science and showed how to evaluate the search and PNG formats. It is expected that Engineering Center/University of results, how to place a data order, the next version (7.0.1) will also Wisconsin-Madison) gave a presenta- discussed changing user preferences, support HDF4 and will be released tion on McIDAS-Lite. He provided discussed common errors encountered, during the second quarter of 2003. brief overviews of McIDAS and the and gave some helpful hints. International MODIS/AIRS Processing Web-based Hierarchical Ordering Package (IMAPP) and showed Cloud Mechanism (WHOM) Top Pressure products generated by James Johnson (Science Systems and each. He then discussed the features Applications, Inc./Goddard Space and input and output data formats of Flight Center Earth Sciences (GES) McIDAS-Lite. DAAC - SSAI/GES DAAC) gave a HDF5 Tools in IDL tutorial on WHOM. This is a data Chris Torrence (Research Systems, Inc.) search and order tool to access data presented information on the HDF5 archived at the Goddard Space Flight Module that is now available with Center Earth Sciences (GES) DAAC. Interactive Data Language (IDL) 5.6. Johnson provided an overview of the He discussed the module’s capabilities layout of the WHOM interface. He and the data types it supports. then showed how to locate and order Torrence also showed some sample specific data granules by beginning at HDF5 code, discussed the HDF5 parser the dataset level. He also showed how and graphical browser, and listed new to locate, subset, and download data in features in IDL5.6. the GES DAAC online Data Pool. Programmable EOS Visualization NASA Web GIS Server (NWGISS) with Python

Liping Di (Laboratory for Advanced Patrick Moran (NASA Advanced Information Technology and Stan- Supercomputing Division/NASA dards/George Mason University) Ames Research Center) explained how defined NWGISS as a “suite of soft- the open source Python scripting ware making HDF-EOS data easily language can be used with a C++ open accessible to GIS data users through source field model to produce a Open GIS Consortium (OGC) specifica- Programmable Data Analysis tool that tions.” The server and its tools provide utilizes both standard and custom on-the-fly reformatting, modules. Moran also identified a list of georectification, resampling, and routines (both completed and under subsetting capabilities as well as development) that comprise an automatic data ingest and catalog HDFEOS module. creation for data providers. By combin- Intel Array Visualizer ing with the NWGISS Multiprotocol Geoinformation Client (MPGC), users John Readey (Intel Compiler Labora- can assemble data from multiple tory/Intel) gave a detailed presentation providers online that exactly match on the Intel Array Visualizer and its their needs. Liping provided a detailed four main components: Array Viewer, account of how to download and install Library Routines, Object Model, and all NWGISS components and described ActiveX Controls. He also provided

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Kudos

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has elected 77 new members and nine foreign associates. Among those elected was "Michael D. King, senior project scientist, Earth Observing System, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. for advancing our understanding of the effects of aerosols and clouds on Earth's radiation and for leading programs to improve climate prediction."

Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made "important contributions to engineering theory and practice, including significant contributions to the literature of engineering theory and practice," and those who have demonstrated accomplishment in "the pioneering of new fields of engineering, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education."

The Earth Observer Staff and the entire scientific community wishes to congratulate King on this outstanding accomplishment.

This image from MODIS, taken March 9, 2003, shows ice almost completely covering several lakes, including the largest lake—Lake Superior, at upper left. Lake Michigan, center, shows a ring of ice around its shores and at its northern end, while Lake Huron, to the east, is almost completely covered. South of Huron, ice covers all but the northern parts of Lake Erie, while Lake Ontario, to the northeast, appears relatively ice-free.

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The NASA Explorer Schools Program Earth Science Education Program (NES) will provide a unique Update relationship between schools and the agency to "inspire the next generation of explorers." The program is designed — Blanche Meeson, [email protected], NASA Goddard Space to provide customized, extended Flight Center professional development for — Theresa Schwerin, [email protected], IGES educators. It will also provide authentic mathematics and science experiences for students and their families. NASA Selects Colorado Organization Digital Library for Earth System Fifty NES teams consisting of 3 or 4 to Operate Globe Program Education - Annual Meeting science, mathematics, or technology NASA has selected the University educators and an administrator will be The Digital Library for Earth System Corporation for Atmospheric Research chosen from around the country. The Education (DLESE) is preparing for its (UCAR), Boulder, CO, for operation of teams will have a week of intensive Fourth Annual Meeting to be held the GLOBE Program. GLOBE is a training at one of NASA's 10 Field August 3 though 5, 2003 at the worldwide hands-on, primary and Centers in July. University of Colorado in Boulder, secondary school-based education and Colorado, with an optional skills Selected educator/administrator teams science program. A Federal interagency workshop on August 2. The meeting, will work with NASA specialists to program in partnership with colleges sponsored by the National Science integrate agency science content into and universities, state and local school Foundation, will focus on the theme their curriculum through problem- systems, and non-government “Broadening DLESE.” Specific goals are solving activities and to incorporate organizations leads it. Internationally, to develop strategies to: challenges into their mathematics and GLOBE is a partnership between the Expand the number and diversity science curriculum. Students will have • United States and 100 other countries. of users and contributors to DLESE opportunities to apply science, UCAR is primarily located in Boulder mathematics and technology to real- • Facilitate and encourage efforts to and the headquarters of GLOBE will be world issues and problems and to learn develop Earth science data/tools moved to UCAR facilities there. The about the vast array of career options at for educational use principal investigator is Dr. Jack NASA. To learn more about the • Expand DLESE’s collection of Fellows of UCAR. The key partner in program, visit explorerschools.nasa.gov. excellent Earth science educational this offer, Colorado State University, materials will have responsibilities for GLOBE's • Broaden the ties between research information systems and for education and educational practice. including the development of classroom-ready materials. Full story The organizers hope for strong at: www.gsfc.nasa.gov/news-release/ participation from teachers at all levels, releases/2003/h03-087.htm. curriculum developers, materials Continuing the Dream: NASA developers, content/data providers, Explorer School Program scientists, service providers, evaluators, administrators, and library creators. Deadline: Applications due April 4, This meeting will provide a unique 2003 opportunity for these stakeholders to Reaffirming its commitment to collaborate and participate in DLESE’s education, NASA is announcing a new continuing development. For more initiative to bring exciting learning information, see: www.dlese.org/ opportunities to educators, students, annualmtg/2003/CallForm.html. and their families.

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This MODIS image, taken January 27, 2003, shows an unusually high number of ship tracks off the coasts of France and Spain. Ship tracks form when very small airborne particles emitted in the exhaust of large ships attract water molecules, acting as "seeds" for clouds, forming the thin, streaky clouds, in this image. Instead of showing the past location of the ship, like the contrail of an aircraft would, ship tracks reflect the direction and speed of the wind.

2002 NASA DAAC Alliance Annual Now Available

The 8th edition of the NASA DAAC Alliance Annual publication, titled “Distributed Active Archive Centers Alliance: Supporting Earth Observing Science 2002,” is now available from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) Distributed Data Archive Center (DAAC). The annual is a multidisciplinary publication designed to highlight applica- tions and research uses of satellite data archived at NASA’s DAACs.

This year’s edition of the DAAC Alliance Annual highlights research on volcanic domes, African ecosystems, the breakup of the Larsen B Ice Shelf in Antarctica, the spread of viruses and dangerous organisms, and improving meteo- rological forecasts

Articles from the DAAC Annual are also available electronically on NASA’s Earth Observatory at http:// earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ and on the DAAC Alliance Web site at nasadaacs.eos.nasa.gov/. Researchers working with NASA DAAC data are invited to contact Laurie Schmidt, Editor, to explore possibilities for developing a future DAAC article.

For a free copy of the DAAC Annual, contact NSIDC User Services at [email protected]. To access all articles in current and past editions, visit nasadaacs.eos.nasa.gov/newsfeatures.html.

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melting event in a section of Antarctica’s Larsen Ice Shelf.

Two NASA Research Satellites Launched to Study Environment, Space, January 13; Spacedaily. ICESat and CHIPsat satellites were launched to study global ice and conditions in which stars are formed. — Robert Gutro, [email protected], Tree-Ring Study Reveals Long History NASA Earth Science News Team of El Niño, January 6; SpaceDaily. El Niño is not a new phenomenon, Ocean Surface Salinity Influences El the Solar Radiation and Climate according to Hector D’Antoni (NASA Niño Forecasts, January 31, KBCI-TV Experiment (SORCE) satellite. Ames). His study looked 750 years into (Idaho), Navakal.com (India), Spacedaily, the past using tree-ring records. SpaceflightNow, UPI. Tony Busalacchi, NASA Begins New Year with Interna- tional Ozone Study, January 21; Journal Joaquim Ballabrera, and Ragu Sea Changes by Satellite, January 6; of Aerospace and Defense Industry News. - Murtugudde (Univ. of MD) have Earthwatch Radio. Watson Gregg More than 350 scientists from several discovered that by knowing the salt (NASA Goddard) said that phytoplank- countries are working together in the content of the ocean, they may be able ton levels fell by 6 percent globally Arctic to measure ozone and other to improve predictions of El Niños. between the early 1980s and the late gases. Michael Kurylo (NASA HQ) is 1990s. L.A. Has Its Warmest January Ever, quoted. Jan. 31; Los Angeles Times. Bill Patzert Expert’s Research Increases Under- NASA Dryden Personnel Help (NASA JPL). standing of Global Warming, Jan. 6; Measure Earth’s Ozone, January 20; Warm, Sunny January Leaves County The Newport News Daily Press. Bruce Antelope Valley Press. Walter Klein, High, Dry, Jan. 31; San Diego Union- Wielicki (NASA Langley) leads the NASA DC-8 mission manager (NASA Tribune. Bill Patzert (NASA JPL). Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy Dryden), commented of the aircraft’s Pacific’s Hot and Cold Moods Dictate System (CERES) science team to flights over desolate areas in support of Drought, Jan. 31; Denver Post. Bill understand how clouds affect the SOLVE II. Patzert (NASA JPL). Earth’s energy budget and global Are We or Aren’t We Facing El Niño?, First Full-Body Scan of an Evolving climate change. Jan. 29; Los Angeles Times. Bill Patzert Thunderstorm, January 16; Scripps (NASA JPL). NASA Funds New Crop of Remote Howard News Service, MSNBC, Reuters, El Niño’s Rain So Far a No Show, Jan. Sensing Instruments, Jan. 6; Space ABC News. Research from David Atlas 24; Pasadena Star-News. Bill Patzert News. Eastwood Im (NASA JPL) is (NASA Goddard) is highlighted where (NASA JPL). using radar to track hurricanes through radars unusual created a unique “full Weather Phenomenon Not Living Up NASA’s instrument incubator program. body scan” that shows the inner To Its Reputation So Far, Jan. 24; San workings of storm clouds in the tropics. Mapping With GRACE, Jan. 4; Science Jose Mercury-News. Bill Patzert (NASA News. Michael Watkins (NASA JPL) JPL) discusses the current progress of NASA Instrument Captures Early discusses the objectives and progress of El Niño. Antarctic Ice Shelf Melting, January the GRACE mission. 14; SpaceDaily. Mark Drinkwater Satellite, Shuttle Pair for Ozone (ESA), David Long (Brigham Young The Altus Cumulus Electrification Studies, January 27; Associated Press, Univ.), and Steve Harangozo (British Study (ACES), January; Unmanned CNN, Discovery.com, FoxNews, UPI. Antarctic Survey) used data from Vehicles Magazine. Richard Blakeslee Gary Rottman (Univ. of Colorado) was NASA’s SeaWinds has detected the (NASA Marshall) is using data ac- quoted in this article on the launch of earliest yet recorded pre-summer quired from research flights using

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uninhabited aerial vehicles to gain a better understanding of thunderstorms. NASA-Funded Research Looking at Atmospheric “Waves” Reduced Ozone El Niño Events to Forecast Western Hole, December 23; Canada’s Village, ScienceaGoGo. Paul Newman (NASA U.S. Snowfall Goddard) was quoted about his research. A greater number of large — Krishna Ramanujan, [email protected], Goddard Space Flight Center “planetary sized waves” in the atmo- sphere that move from the lower Excerpts from Release 03-25 atmosphere into the upper atmosphere were responsible for the smaller Antarctic ozone hole this fall. A NASA-funded study uses a com- winter and spring, shift the way moist Flurry of Satellites to Monitor Earth puter model to understand an observed air gets transported in the atmosphere, and Examine Galaxy, December 10; link between winter and spring and directly affect Western U.S. CNN, NY Times, Washington Post. snowfall in the Western U.S. and El precipitation and snow accumulation. Niño Southern Oscillation. Almost 75 Ghassem Asrar (NASA HQ) and Jay El Niño / Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to 85 percent of water resources in the Zwally (NASA Goddard) were quoted marks a see-saw shift in surface air Western U.S comes from snow that about the launch of ICESat, and Mark pressure between Darwin, Australia accumulates in the winter and early Hurwitz (Univ. of California at and the South Pacific Island of Tahiti. spring and melts as runoff in spring Berkeley) was quoted about CHIPSat‚s When the pressure is high at Darwin it and summer. Understanding this launch. is low at Tahiti and vice versa. El Niño, connection and using it to predict and its sister event La Niña, are the Earth’s Weight Watched Monthly, future snowfall rates would greatly extreme phases of this southern December 12; Nature Science Update. help both citizens and policy makers. oscillation, with El Niño referring to a Byron Tapley (Univ. of Texas), James One of the missions of NASA's Earth warming of the eastern tropical Pacific, Morrison (Univ. of Washington) and Science Enterprise (ESE), which funded and La Niña a cooling. John Wahr (Univ. of Colorado at this research, is to better understand Boulder) are all quoted in this article By better understanding the connec- how the Earth system is changing. about the GRACE satellite mission. tions between these processes, scien- Within this framework, NASA is tists can update their computer climate Typhoons Help Ocean Life, December committed to studying variability in models to improve their ability to 7, Associated Press. Tim Liu (NASA/ the water cycle, how well we can forecast future snowfall and water JPL) noted that NASA satellites have predict future changes in the Earth availability in the west. detected upwellings of nutrient-rich system and the consequences of change water from deep in the ocean that in the Earth system for human civiliza- spark massive blooms of phytoplank- tion. For more information, please see: ton, after typhoons pass over an area. Lead authors Jiming Jin and Norman www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/2003/ Miller of the U.S. Department of 0210snowpack.html Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, Calif., in collabo- ration with Soroosh Sorooshian and Xiaojang Gao at the University of Arizona, Tucson, find that higher and lower tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) that characterize El Niño and La Niña change atmospheric wind patterns in the mid-latitudes in

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shop will be used by a USDA/NASA NASA Partners with USDA on Interagency Working Group in evaluat- ing and establishing new research Variety of Products efforts, remote sensing systems, and models for decision support in agricul- — Elvia Thompson, [email protected], NASA Headquarters, tural systems. The information result- Washington ing from the workshop will also be — Sandy Miller-Hays, [email protected], USDA incorporated into the plans of NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise, which seeks to meet NASA’s mission of understand- ing and protecting our home planet. NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and information we provide will allow Agriculture Secretary (USDA) Ann M. USDA and other U.S. government For more information about NASA or Veneman announced the two agencies agencies to make critical, accurate, and NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise on the will join on a series of programs timely decisions,” he said. Internet, visit: www.nasa.gov drawing on NASA’s capabilities in monitoring, mapping, modeling and “We in USDA are very excited about systems engineering to help protect the possibilities opened up by this new the environment and enhance Ameri- collaboration,” Veneman said. “For can agriculture’s ability to compete in example, to improve our agricultural the world market. competitiveness, we need a better understanding of weather and climate, NASA and USDA representatives especially the ability to predict weather participated in a workshop this week in events with more accuracy and longer Denver to identify collaborative lead times. The results from NASA research and development programs research and development of earth for the joint program. The workshop science and technology could lead to concentrated on five “focus areas” weather and climate predictions and identified as national priorities of observations that can be integrated mutual interest: carbon management, into local and regional support systems agricultural competitiveness, air used in agricultural management,” she quality, water management and said. conservation, and management of invasive species. Participants discussed USDA policy and program needs that might be “NASA is pleased to be part of this fulfilled by remote sensing information worthwhile effort, benefiting all provided by NASA; identified current Americans and humankind in general,” research and capabilities of both NASA said NASA Administrator Sean and USDA that could help address O’Keefe. “NASA’s ability to view the those needs; pinpointed gaps in Earth from the unique vantage point of existing knowledge and research. They space provides data to enhance our also outlined opportunities for collabo- ability to predict climate, weather and rative research and development efforts natural hazards, as well as to mitigate between USDA and NASA to develop and assess the effects of natural and products and solutions to serve human-induced disasters. As NASA decision makers. works to understand and protect our home planet, the relevant and concise Information from this week’s work-

34 THE EARTH OBSERVER • January/February 2003 Vol. 15, No. 1

Washington, DC. URL: usjgof.whoi.edu/ Spain. Contact Carlos Mosquera, Email: EOS Science Calendar osc2003.html [email protected], URL: www.baionaworkshop.org May 7 - 9

April 29 - 30 American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Anchorage, AK. Contact: September 23 - 26 ASTER Users Workshop, Arcadia, CA. Thomas Eidel, Email: [email protected], URL: Oceans ‘03, San Diego, CA. Contact: Brock Contact: Michael Abrams, Email: www.asprs.org/alaska/2003/. Rosenthal, Email: [email protected], [email protected], URL: Tel: (858) 454 4044, URL: www.o- asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/workshop vations.com. June 2 - 3

16th Annual Geographic Information May 6 - 8 Sciences Conference, Towson University, November 10 - 14 CERES Science Team Meeting, Norfolk VA. Baltimore, MD. Contact John Morgan, tel. 30th International Symposium on Remote Contact: Shannon Lynch, (757) 864-2458, (410) 704-2964, Fax: (410) 704-38888, Sensing of Environment, Honolulu, HI. Email: [email protected]. Email: [email protected], URL: Email: [email protected], URL: cgis.towson.edu/tugis2003/ www.symposia.org.

May 28-29 June 4 - 6 Aqua Science Working Group Meeting, Greenbelt, MD. Contact: Claire Parkinson, Oceanology International (OI) Americas, Email: [email protected] New Orleans, LA. URL: www.oiamericas .com.

Global Change Calendar June 30 - July 11

International Union of and March 31 - April 2 Geophysics 2003, Saporo, Japan. Email: [email protected], URL: Challenging Times: Towards an operational www.jamstec.go.jp/jamstec-e/iugg/ system for monitoring, modeling, and index.html. forecasting of phenological changes and their socio-economic impacts, Wgeningen, The Netherlands. Contact: Mark Grutters, July 21 - 25 Email: [email protected], URL: www.dow.wau.no/msa/epn/ IGARSS 2003, Toulouse, France. Email: challengingtimes/ [email protected], URL: www.igarss03.com.

April 6 - 11 August 30 - September 6

AGU / European Geographical Society Second International Swiss NCCR Climate (EGS) / European Union of Geosciences Summer School: “Climate Change — (EUG) Joint Spring Meeting, Nice, France. Impacts of Terrestrial Ecosystems.” Email: [email protected], URL: Grindelwald, Switzerland. Contact: Kaspar www.copernicus.org/EGS/egsga/nice03. Meuli, Email: [email protected], URL: www.nccr-climate.unibe.ch.

May 5 - 8 September 8 - 10 Final Open Science Conference, “A Sea of Change: JGOFS Accomplishments and the Sixth Baiona Workshop on Signal Future of Ocean Biochemistry.” Processing in Communications, Baiona,

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