Theme: ocean colour observations from the geostationary orbit

Transcription

1 A new IOCCG working group Theme: ocean colour observations from the geostationary orbit Today (Nov 1 st, 2008):1 st Working group meeting, with the following goals: - Members of the WG meet and know better each other - The terms of reference are discussed - The structure of the report is discussed - Writing assignments are organized - A provisional time table is proposed

2 IOCCG working group Ocean colour from the geostationary orbit Plan - Motivations for a new WG - Interests of the geostationary orbit for ocean colour remote sensing studies (science & operational), illustrated by a few examples - Possible terms of reference for the working group

3 IOCCG working group Ocean colour from the geostationary orbit Motivations Several projects have been submitted to agencies in the past decade (to ESA, NASA, CNES, ) A few examples (non-exhaustively): - Special event imager (NASA / NOAA), W.E. Esaias & C. Brown PIs, not selected - A proposal to NASA, J.W. Campbell PI, not selected - NASA s Hyperspectral Environmental Suite (HES), eventually not selected - BIOGEOSAT (ESA / CNES), D. Antoine PI, not selected - COMS-1 / GOCI, to be launched soon - Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) on GOES-R or S (only 2 large bands in the VIS) Only one is now planned for launch (GOCI on COMS-1) The interest for such observations is growing, which means that other missions might be decided and launched within the next 5-10 years So, it s typically where IOCCG can enter into play, in order to set up requirements, to advocate for coordination, to foster collaborations etc

4 What is the IOCCG? The International Ocean-Colour Coordinating Group (IOCCG) was established in 1996 following a resolution endorsed by the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). The group is made up of an international Committee of experts comprising representatives from both the provider (Space Agencies) and user communities (scientists, managers). The main objectives of the IOCCG are to develop consensus and synthesis at the world scale in the subject area of satellite ocean colour. Specialised scientific working groups are established by the IOCCG to investigate various aspects of ocean-colour technology and its applications, and to publish IOCCG Monographs on their findings. The IOCCG also has a strong interest in capacity building, and conducts and sponsors advanced training courses on applications of ocean-colour data in various developing countries. The IOCCG is an Affiliated Programme of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), and an Associate Member of CEOS. The activities of the IOCCG are supported by financial contributions from national Space Agencies and other organisations, and upon infrastructure support from SCOR

5 What s IOCCG role? To foster expertise in using ocean-colour data (training) To provide a common voice for the user community To advocate the importance of ocean-colour data to the global community Optimize quality of data for calibration and validation Advocate the collection of essential ocean and atmosphere data. Facilitate merging and access to ocean-colour data

6 IOCCG terms of reference To serve as a communication and coordination channel between data providers and the global, user community of satellite-ocean-colour data, and so to maximize the benefits that accumulate from international investments in ocean-colour science and technology. To construct a partnership, at the international level, between the space agencies and the users of satellite-ocean-colour data to develop and coordinate data utilization. To work closely with the appropriate international bodies (including CEOS, IOC and SCOR), international scientific programs (such as IGBP and GOOS), satellite-oceancolour-mission offices and other agencies (such as environmental and fishing agencies) to harmonize the international effort and advance ocean-colour science and its applications. To develop a collective voice for the community of users of ocean-colour data and to articulate this voice to the appropriate international bodies, international scientific programs and space agencies. To promote the long-term continuity of satellite ocean-colour data sets; the development of operational, ocean-colour data services and new generations of ocean-colour sensors; and the integration of data from complementary ocean sensors.

7 International context (probably not exhaustive) One mission is ready for launch in 2009: COMS-1 / GOCI from KARI/KORDI NASA includes GEO observations as one of its priorities, in the Advanced plan for NASA s Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry Research, NASA, 2007 ESA : Geo OCULUS (R&D stage). Very high resolution for risk assessment. ISRO also considers the GEO orbit for future Earth observations missions (GEO-HR mission for risk monitoring / assessment) CNES is presently evaluating a GEO mission proposal The EC Implementation Group of the Marine Core Service : GMES should allow for research and technological developments. In particular, the possibility of embarking new instruments with the potential to meet GMES needs should be considered. Wide Swath altimetry and geostationary ocean color are the two most important new technology developments that will benefit the GMES MCS in the long run.

8 Observations from the geostationary orbit : For what use up to now? Telecommunications Meteorology Scientific studies (aerosols, for instance from METEOSAT) Moulin et al., Moulin Science, et al.,

9 Observations from the geostationary orbit : Interest (advantages) for ocean colour remote sensing studies

10 Observations from the geostationary orbit : Spatial and temporal scales accessible LEO domain

11 Interests of the geostationary orbit Possibility to follow episodic events, at the scale of hours : red tides, dissemination of sediments by rivers (floods), aerosol plumes (deserts, fires, pollution, volcanoes), response to storms NASA / GSFC

12 Interests of the geostationary orbit (cont d) Tidal effects in the coastal environment From Esaias W.E. and C.W. Brown, SEI fact sheet, NASA/NOAA

13 Interests of the geostationary orbit (cont d) The daily cycle of some properties becomes accessible Example: the beam attenuation coefficient of particles (c p (660)), as measured at the BOUSSOLE site in the Mediterranean (a few days during the 2007 spring phytoplankton bloom) 1 day

14 Interests of the geostationary orbit (cont d) The daily cycle of some properties becomes accessible: aerosols AERONET, Villefranche / mer

15 Interests of the geostationary orbit (cont d) Improving the match between the temporal scale of satellite observations and those of models (data assimilation in particular, but also validation and initialization of models) «CATSAT» System, developed by CLS

16 Interests of the geostationary orbit (cont d) Elimination / study of clouds

17 Interests of the geostationary orbit (cont d) The bi-directionality of surfaces can be sampled (several observations with the same viewing angle and varying solar elevations) Directionality of the submarine light field Adapted from Morel and Gentili, 1993

18 Interests of the geostationary orbit (cont d) «Planetary waves» Rossby waves & ocean color (Cippolini et al., Geophysical Research Letters, 28(2), , Jan 15, 2001)

19 Interests of the geostationary orbit: synthesis In many respects, the polar-orbiting instruments study the effects of processes, whereas the geostationary instruments can study the process itself (Chesters et al., 1998). The Earth has many fast ( weather ) and slow ( climate ) modes.. If we hope to make reliable predictions of weather and climate, we have to monitor land, sea, and air on their natural scales. The main energy pumps are the annual and diurnal cycles, each with comparable driving power. The Earth s response to the cyclical solar drivers is episodic and irregular. Therefore we must resolve not only the the seasonal cycle for many years, but also variations in the diurnal response cycle, over the globe (Chesters, Adler and others, 1998). The direct effect of man-induced changes might be more accessible to highfrequency observations, while the indirect effects are more accessible to classical low-earth-orbiting satellites

20 Observations from the geostationary orbit: feasibility Paramètre maturité des algorithmes Faisabilité à partir de l'orbite géostationnaire Luminance normalisée Chlorophylle Propriétés optiques inhérentes Groupes phytoplanctoniques - + Sédiments Substances jaunes + + Fluorescence - + Eaux rouges - + Eclairement photosynthétique Epaisseur optique des aérosols types d'aérosols Mature algorithms exist for LEO observations, which can be adapted to the GEO configuration

21 IOCCG working group Ocean colour from the geostationary orbit Possible terms of references - Demonstrating the value of the GEO orbit for ocean colour observations (research & operational uses) - Inventory: some of the most significant past projects, and the existing missions - Complementarity LEO / GEO - Complementarity with other GEO missions? - Common requirements with other GEO missions? - What would be the ideal mission(s) - Requirements (different from LEO?) - Recommendations (technically & programmatically)

22 Time table Today (Nov 1 st, 2008): 1 st working group meeting Collection of 1 st drafts for the different chapters: end of 2008 First draft circulated to the group: end of January 2009 Presentation to the annual IOCCG committee in April 20-22, 2009 (Hangzhou, China).

23 End of presentation Thank you