A month after launch, the satellite Earthcare The European Space Agency (ESA) has sent the first image of one of its instruments: For the first time from space, an image reveals the internal structure and dynamics of clouds.
This extraordinary first image, captured by a cloud profiling radar on board a satellite, When the instrument is fully calibrated it gives a mere description of its full potential.
In a statement released by the ESA, they report: Earthcare has four sophisticated tools Designed to shed new light on the role that clouds and aerosols play in heating and cooling the Earth’s atmosphere. Better understanding of climate change.
Among these four tools, The Cloud Profiling Radar that returned the first image was provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA.. In the coming weeks and months, the remaining three instruments of European origin are expected to follow suit: A broadband radiometer, an atmospheric lidar and a multispectral imager.
JAXA mission scientist Takuji Kubota of the Cloud Profiling Radar said: “We are delighted to present this first image. Reveals details of the internal structure of cloud dynamics in the ocean east of Japan on June 13“.
“This is the first film of its kind: We’ve never had this kind of information measured from space before. It was everything we expected and more. “I think the cloud profiling radar will bring a lot of scientific discoveries,” Kubota added.
What does the first image from Earthcare’s cloud profiling radar show?
The first image on the cover of this note is shown in two parts. At left, the data shows the vertical concentration of cloud particles measured as radar reflectivity.. The densest part of the cloud is in its center, where more large particles and larger particles can be clearly seen.
On the right, the falling velocity of the cloud particles is seen.. Low values in the upper layer indicate suspended or slow falling ice crystals and snowflakes. In the lower layer, higher values of fall velocity indicate rain.
Both films are a Clear border at about 5 km altitude, where snow and ice meltForms water droplets that fall as rain.
Cloud profiling radar uses its Doppler velocity capability to measure the vertical speed of movement of snow, ice, and rain.
This allows scientists to obtain detailed information about the density, size distribution, and velocity of the particles Distinguish the components of clouds and, therefore, better understand their physics.
To contextualize these first results, The image above shows the same cloud structure as captured by the Japanese Himawari-9 weather satellite in geostationary orbit., about 36,000 km above the Earth. The image is superimposed on Earthcare’s orbital path. Earthcare’s Cloud Profiling Radar captured its first data between points A and B in this image.
Good at predicting future climate trends
The cloud profiling radar on the Earthcare satellite will measure cloud structure uniformly across the planet.Unlike the limitation of having a fixed radar on the ground or in an aircraft.
The cloud profiling radar aboard the Earthcare satellite will make it possible to measure the same cloud structure across the planet.
Simonetta Celli, ESA’s director of Earth observation programmes, said: “This is a fantastic first result from our partners at JAXA, and a real indication of what we can expect from the satellite and all its instruments in the future. Fully calibrated and put into service“.
“The key to this work is that the four tools work together to deliver us A thorough understanding of the complex interactions between clouds, aerosols, incoming solar radiation and outgoing thermal radiationto better predict future climate trends,” Chely added.
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