January 29, 2016
The water cycle is how atmosphere, land and ocean processes interact with each other. Since the launch of TOPEX/Poseidon in 1992 lake levels have been monitored, but not on a global scale due to the limitations of the instruments and orbit. The hope is that the future mission, SWOT, will be able to remedy the current issues with radar altimeters as it will have a much larger observation area and measure heights and a finer resolution. [Credit: CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) and Mira Productions].
January 28, 2016
Marine wildlife, such as penguins and sea turtles, can be tacked from satellites using ARGO transmitters, along with and measuring currents and sea surface temperature from other ocean observing satellites. Knowing the currents and temperature help with understanding where marine wildlifes’ feeding grounds are and if they are being impacted by climate change. [Credit: CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) and Mira Productions].
January 28, 2016
Operational oceanography provides forecasts or near real time information of ocean conditions. This information can be used to assist in fishing, oceanic oil rig position or navigation so that these entities are prepared for poor or dangerous conditions and can take appropriate action. Sea level measured from Jason-3 is important for these forecasts as it provides information on what the current ocean conditions are and also the wave height. [Credit: CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) and Mira Productions].
January 27, 2016
Ocean observations from satellite altimeters began with TOPEX/Poseidon in 1992 and continued with Jason-1, 2 & now 3, jointly managed by NASA, CNES, NOAA and EUMETSAT. These satellites have provided detailed observations of sea level rise, ocean circulation and climate change. Not only have they provided sea level heights, but also information on sea ice, hydrology and weather forecasting. [Credit: CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) and Mira Productions].
January 27, 2016
Coastal areas are subjected to erosion from waves breaking on shore and storms. Satellite altimetry from the Jason series can provide information on sea level rise, which can be used in planning beach renourishment to combat erosion. To further understand coastal processes and monitor coastal erosion a new satellite mission, SWOT, will provide a finer resolution than what the current altimeters can provide. [Credit: CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) and Mira Productions].
November 29, 2015
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a quasi-periodic fluctuation of ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. The temperatures generally fluctuate between two states: warmer than normal central and eastern equatorial Pacific (El Niño) and cooler than normal central and eastern equatorial Pacific (La Niña). This animation illustrates the evolution of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies (relative to the respective normal state) in the Pacific Ocean associated with the developing 2015 El Niño, the warm phase ENSO. SST anomalies reflect the heat content in the mixed layer (upper 50 meters).
March 23, 2015
Global surface wind vector flow lines colored gray from 1 June 2011 to 31 October 2011. The visualization show the directional flow and magnitude of surface wind vector data (calibrated to a 10 meter reference height) from June 2011 through October 2011.
March 23, 2015
Global surface wind vector flow lines colored by wind speed from 1 June 2011 to 31 October 2011. The visualization show the directional flow and magnitude of surface wind vector data (calibrated to a 10 meter reference height) from June 2011 through October 2011.
March 23, 2015
Global surface wind vector flow lines over sea surface temperature from 1 June 2011 to 31 October 2011. The visualization show the directional flow and magnitude of surface wind vector data (calibrated to a 10 meter reference height) from June 2011 through October 2011.
March 23, 2015
North Atlantic surface wind vector flow lines over sea surface temperature from 1 June 2011 to 31 October 2011. The visualization show the directional flow and magnitude of surface wind vector data (calibrated to a 10 meter reference height) from June 2011 through October 2011.