3.8: Ground-based instrumentation and satellite data
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)How do we study the Earth system as a whole?
Earth observing systems maintained by NASA and other space agencies around the world still use ground-based data. Such ground-based data measures variables on land and sea, as well as in marginal areas along coastlines. This data is often the highest accuracy data available for areas where it is collected. However, as station distribution tends to be uneven, as does maintenance and reporting, ground-based data has significant resolution challenges. Even still, it is very important for describing and forecasting a wide range of modern environmental variables.
Ground based systems used to observe the Earth system include data collected by a wide spectrum of instrumentation. Some of these are completely automated, such as weather stations or tidal gauges. Others are maintained by a vast army of human volunteers, such as the GLOBE program. Perhaps the most comprehensive system of ground-based observation is maintained and run jointly by NASA, NOAA, EPA, and other governmental agencies.
Some of the challenges of ground-based data are resolved through the use of satellites.
Satellite data
Over the last forty years, a great deal of energy and money has been invested in the development of satellite systems to study the Earth from space. Such systems are very difficult to develop, very expensive, and very difficult to maintain. Despite these and other challenges, satellite observation systems now make up the backbone of data collection on the Earth system.
NASA Earth Observing System (EOS)
The U.S. space agency NASA maintains a vast fleet of satellites that are constantly measuring changes in the Earth system. Called the Earth Observing System (EOS), it consists of a constellation of satellites focused on studying every sphere. The goal of these missions is to collect long-term data about the Earth’s spheres. Such data is used for daily forecasting models for your weather. It is also used for various levels of basic scientific research. All of these missions have polar orbits or orbits of low inclination, allowing them to have the best resolution possible with as much coverage of the planet as possible.
Below is an image the outlines the current constellation of satellites. Some of these current satellites are descendants of earlier missions. The LANDSAT program is a great example. LANDSAT 8 is the latest iteration of the program with missions as far out as LANDSAT 10 in planning. LANDSAT 7 is a great example of longevity in an Earth observing mission, as it is still active over 20 years after launch!
Nearly all of the data produced by these missions is in the public domain. In fact, NASA has developed websites that allow non-professional users to access and explore it. A very useful example is the NEO website. Perhaps the best total clearing house for NASA Earth observing data is one that places it in the context of global climate change. NASA’s climate change website provides an excellent dashboard for keeping track of key data related to climate, but also provides links and news about other related missions.
Space Weather Observations
Understanding the dynamics of the Earth system is not complete without exploring space weather – the forcing mechanisms of the exosphere. Dominated by the Sun and its solar output, such phenomena also include monitoring the Earth’s magnetic field, forms of cosmic radiation from the Sun and Milky Way, asteroids, and geomagnetic storm potential. Again, NASA has a number of missions exploring these things. More information about them can be found here.
Did I Get It? - Quiz
We study Earth's systems in order to better understand their interconnectedness, our planet's past, and how we interact with it. Base upon what you have read in this chapter, which statement best defines the Earth as a system?
a. A set of things that work together as a part of a mechanism or interconnected work.
b. A collection of several distinct systems that work independently and sometimes interact with one another.
c. A single entity that feeds energy in and through itself.
- Answer
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a. A set of things that work together as a part of a mechanism or interconnected work.