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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Latest EU Sentinel takes first ocean height data | Latest EU Sentinel takes first ocean height data |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| After releasing the first images from its ocean and land colour camera this week, the EU's new Sentinel satellite has produced its first sea-surface height measurements. | After releasing the first images from its ocean and land colour camera this week, the EU's new Sentinel satellite has produced its first sea-surface height measurements. |
| These come from the spacecraft's altimeter instrument. | These come from the spacecraft's altimeter instrument. |
| A lot of work still needs to be done to get the Sentinel-3a tool ready for full science operations, but the first data look extremely encouraging. | A lot of work still needs to be done to get the Sentinel-3a tool ready for full science operations, but the first data look extremely encouraging. |
| The sample track on this page clearly shows features of the Gulf Stream. | The sample track on this page clearly shows features of the Gulf Stream. |
| This dominant flow of warm water that crosses the Atlantic from the Gulf of Mexico towards Europe stands proud against the surrounding ocean surface. | This dominant flow of warm water that crosses the Atlantic from the Gulf of Mexico towards Europe stands proud against the surrounding ocean surface. |
| Seeing such currents in action will be just one type of observation made by the new Sentinel altimeter. | Seeing such currents in action will be just one type of observation made by the new Sentinel altimeter. |
| It will also assess the general height of the global oceans, measure wind speeds out at sea (by examining the state of the ocean surface), and track the size of waves. | |
| In addition, it will sense oil slicks in pollution incidents; and in polar regions, it will even gauge the shape of the ice sheets and the thickness of marine floes. | In addition, it will sense oil slicks in pollution incidents; and in polar regions, it will even gauge the shape of the ice sheets and the thickness of marine floes. |
| "All this will feed into a range of different services," said Dr Craig Donlon, the senior scientist on Sentinel-3a for the European Space Agency (Esa). | "All this will feed into a range of different services," said Dr Craig Donlon, the senior scientist on Sentinel-3a for the European Space Agency (Esa). |
| "For example, the maritime sector can use ocean current data to plot more efficient courses for ocean passages. | "For example, the maritime sector can use ocean current data to plot more efficient courses for ocean passages. |
| "By working with currents, as opposed to against them, ships can reduce their fuel costs and limit their carbon emissions. | "By working with currents, as opposed to against them, ships can reduce their fuel costs and limit their carbon emissions. |
| "But perhaps the most important measurement we will make with the altimeter is the direct measurement of sea level changes. | "But perhaps the most important measurement we will make with the altimeter is the direct measurement of sea level changes. |
| "As you know, there is a big challenge this century for coastal communities and small island states to be able to cope with global ocean rise, and with Sentinel-3 we will be contributing to these critical observations." | "As you know, there is a big challenge this century for coastal communities and small island states to be able to cope with global ocean rise, and with Sentinel-3 we will be contributing to these critical observations." |
| Sentinel-3a was launched two weeks ago. It is one in a series of Earth observers being procured for the European Union's Copernicus programme. | |
| The data from this ambitious, multi-billion-euro project is expected to drive myriad applications, ranging from air quality updates to crop-performance monitoring, from water-resource management to transport infrastructure planning. | |
| Esa acts as the technical agent on the Sentinels, scoping their design and then getting industry to build them. | Esa acts as the technical agent on the Sentinels, scoping their design and then getting industry to build them. |
| The radar altimeter on Sentinel-3a works by constantly throwing down pulses of microwave energy at the ocean. | The radar altimeter on Sentinel-3a works by constantly throwing down pulses of microwave energy at the ocean. |
| The time taken for these pulses to bounce back can be assembled into a map of surface topography. | The time taken for these pulses to bounce back can be assembled into a map of surface topography. |
| Numerous measurements made over the ocean and averaged over a long period will eventually reveal millimetric trends. | Numerous measurements made over the ocean and averaged over a long period will eventually reveal millimetric trends. |
| Data-sets gathered by previous generations of satellites - and to which Sentinel-3a will now contribute - show that globally, seas have been rising at a rate of just over 3mm/yr over the past 20 years. | Data-sets gathered by previous generations of satellites - and to which Sentinel-3a will now contribute - show that globally, seas have been rising at a rate of just over 3mm/yr over the past 20 years. |
| The European-funded Sentinel series | The European-funded Sentinel series |
| What is the Copernicus programme? | What is the Copernicus programme? |
| Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos | Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos |