Transcript PICASSO-CENA SRR - Gallaudet University

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Earth Observing Satellites
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A-Train Afternoon Constellation
The A-Train is a group of Earth Observing Satellites (EOS)
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A-Train Afternoon Constellation
A-Train
Animation
The A-Train is a group of Earth Observing Satellites (EOS) which
will fly in formation, each within minutes of each other, on polar
orbits. All six satellites will cross the equator within a few
minutes of one another at around 1:30 p.m. local time.
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Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)
A-Train Afternoon Constellation
The Orbiting Carbon Observatory is
tentatively scheduled for launch in
October 2007.
It will measure the total mass of the
atmosphere, the concentration of
carbon dioxide, and how much of
the carbon dioxide variation is
caused by changes in atmospheric
thickness.
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Aqua
A–Train Afternoon Constellation
Aqua was launched May 2002.
Aqua is studying atmospheric
temperature, humidity, clouds,
precipitation and radiative
balance, terrestrial snow, sea
ice, sea surface temperature,
ocean productivity,
and soil moisture, as well
as the monitoring of
terrestrial and marine
ecosystem dynamics.
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CLOUDSAT
A-Train Afternoon Constellation
CloudSat will use advanced radar to
"slice" through clouds to see their
vertical structure.
** Current satellites can only produce images
of the uppermost layers of clouds.
CloudSat will be one of the first satellites
to study clouds on a global basis. The
key observations will be cloud structure,
composition, vertical profiles, liquid
water and ice contents, and related
physical and radiative properties.
CloudSat and CALIPSO will be launched
together on the same vehicle, tentatively
set for October 2004.
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Parasol
A-Train Afternoon Constellation
Parasol’s main purpose is to study
the characterization of clouds and
the microphysical and radiative
properties of aerosols. This is
needed to understand and model
the radiative impact of clouds and
aerosols.
Parasol will be launched in
2005 by the French Space
Agency and will join four other
A-Train satellites already
launched by NASA.
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Aura
A – Train, Afternoon Constellation
Aura was
launched on
July 15, 2004.
Aura will help answer these scientific questions:
Is the Earth’s protective ozone layer recovering?
What are the processes controlling air quality?
How is the Earth’s climate changing?
How does the composition of the atmosphere affect and respond to
Earth’s changing climate?
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Aura
A-Train Afternoon Constellation
Animation of Aura
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CALIPSO
Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared
Pathfinder Satellite Observations
http://www-calipso.larc.nasa.gov
http://calipsooutreach.hamptonu.edu
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What is CALIPSO?
CALIPSO:
• is a joint satellite mission between the United States and
France.
• will be launched March 2005, on a Delta II launch vehicle,
with CloudSat.
• will fly in a polar orbit in formation with the Aqua satellite.
• will daily down-link all data and transfer the data to NASA
Langley Research Center where it will be processed and
archived.
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What will CALIPSO do?
• Provide key measurements of
aerosol and cloud properties
needed to improve climate
predictions
• Improve our understanding of the
role of aerosols and clouds in the
processes that govern climate
responses and feedbacks
• Improve the representation of
aerosols and clouds in models,
leading to more accurate
predictions of climate change
Image courtesy CloudSat
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Unique to CALIPSO is LIDAR
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What is LIDAR?
Light Detection And Ranging
• A pulse laser source provides
range (distance) information
from the time delay between the
transmitted and received pulse.
• The light scattered from the
aerosols and molecules is
collected by a telescope and
focused on an optical detector.
• The detector converts this light
into an electronics signal.
• The signal is digitized,
processed and displayed by a
computer.
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CALIPSO data will provide a vertical
image of aerosols and clouds
Vertical measurements are necessary
to understand the effects of
aerosol on clouds.
Clouds underneath Sahara dust (LITE, 8/94)
20
15
Altitude, km
Aerosols affect cloud
formation and
properties
10
5
0
20.6°N,
40°W
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9.4°N,
32.9°W
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One Big Uncertainty:
The Effects of Multilayer Clouds
20
Altitude, km
LITE data, West Africa, September1994
10
0
20o N, 3o E
17o N, 6o E
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CALIPSO
Simulated 1 Day Orbit Coverage
CALIPSO will provide global measurements of clouds and aerosols.
82o N
82o S
The orange ground tracks show the locations of where CALIPSO will
measure clouds and aerosols over a one day period.
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Satellite covers a
fixed grid every 16 days
16-day repeat cycle produces a grid spaced by 172 km at the equator
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CALIPSO LIDAR Animation
Click on image to start movie
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Conclusion
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CALIPSO will make important measurements of cloud and aerosol
properties that will significantly improve our understanding of both
direct and indirect effects on climate.
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Both students and scientists can contribute to this important research
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Movie Time: Did anyone bring popcorn?
Sit back and enjoy a 6-minute movie on LIDAR
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CALIPSO is a Partnership
Langley Research Center: mission lead, program management, system
engineering, payload mission operations, validation, and data
processing and archival
Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales: provide Alcatel PROTEUS
spacecraft and IIR instrument, payload-to-spacecraft integration, and
spacecraft mission operations
Hampton University: lead algorithm implementation and manage
educational and public outreach
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation: develop the lidar and WFC
and provide instrument-to-payload integration, launch vehicle support,
and science data downlink
Institut Pierre Simon Laplace: lead French science studies, validation,
IIR algorithm development and provide data archival
Earth System Science Teachers of the Deaf Workshop, August 2004