1. Interactions: atmosphere EG2234 Earth Observation

2. Topics Historical Overview Historical Overview Demands and Characteristics Demands and Characteristics Routine analysis (weather/climate work) Routine analysis (weather/climate work) Cloud Motion Vectors Cloud Motion Vectors METEOSAT METEOSAT References References

3. Historical Overview Atmospheric RS has mostly been performed with geostationary satellites Atmospheric RS has mostly been performed with geostationary satellites In 1960s NASA developed the ATS-1 with a cloud camera In 1960s NASA developed the ATS-1 with a cloud camera Later ATS-3 was equipped with a colour cloud camera – but no real multispectral capabilities Later ATS-3 was equipped with a colour cloud camera – but no real multispectral capabilities

4. ATS-1 Source: NASA/GSFC, 2008

5. Historical Overview First truly geosynchronous SMS (Synchronous Meteorological Satellite) was launched in 1974 First truly geosynchronous SMS (Synchronous Meteorological Satellite) was launched in 1974 First real multispectral satellite launched in mid 1970s was the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) launched in the late 1970s First real multispectral satellite launched in mid 1970s was the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) launched in the late 1970s

6. Source: NASA/GSFC, 2008

7. Demands & Characteristics A geostationary orbit requires the satellite to move at the same rate as the Earth A geostationary orbit requires the satellite to move at the same rate as the Earth The orbit of the satellite must follow the equatorial plane of Earth The orbit of the satellite must follow the equatorial plane of Earth Changes to satellite orbit uses hydrazine propulsion system Changes to satellite orbit uses hydrazine propulsion system Ground to satellite telemetry allows orbital adjustment instructions to be sent Ground to satellite telemetry allows orbital adjustment instructions to be sent

8. Geosynchronous orbital parameters By season Adapted from Chen, 2001

9. Demands & Characteristics The type of data required is determined by altitude of target phenomena The type of data required is determined by altitude of target phenomena Some satellites are better equipped to analyse specific types of phenomena Some satellites are better equipped to analyse specific types of phenomena Key requirements are those that deal with atmospheric threats (e.g. hurricanes) or atmospheric column water vapour content for cloud seeding Key requirements are those that deal with atmospheric threats (e.g. hurricanes) or atmospheric column water vapour content for cloud seeding

10. Adapted from Chen, 2001

11. Demands & Characteristics In order to escape Earth’s gravitational field – geostationary satellites MUST be at least 35,800km from surface In order to escape Earth’s gravitational field – geostationary satellites MUST be at least 35,800km from surface Due to synchronous orbit, images can be updated every 15 minutes Due to synchronous orbit, images can be updated every 15 minutes Due to long distance from Earth, images are of a poorer spatial resolution (less detail) than polar orbiting satellites Due to long distance from Earth, images are of a poorer spatial resolution (less detail) than polar orbiting satellites

12. Routine Analysis Use of visible images to determine positions of cloud formations and storm systems (based on albedo) Use of visible images to determine positions of cloud formations and storm systems (based on albedo) Use of thermal infrared images to determine cloud temperatures and probability of rainfall Use of thermal infrared images to determine cloud temperatures and probability of rainfall Use of water vapour images to ascertain tropospheric water vapour content Use of water vapour images to ascertain tropospheric water vapour content

16. Cloud Motion Vectors CMVs allow windspeed to be determined CMVs allow windspeed to be determined Usually, IR-WV images are used to track a specific cloud formation Usually, IR-WV images are used to track a specific cloud formation Sequence of images allows cloud formation to be tracked so that speed and direction can be calculated Sequence of images allows cloud formation to be tracked so that speed and direction can be calculated Final map shows streamlines over a region Final map shows streamlines over a region

17. Step 1: Isolate a cloud formation

18. Step 2: New position in 60 mins gives speed and direction

19. e.g 22 degrees and 35 metres per second

20. Allows us to create a streamline

21. METEOSAT Primary European weather satellite Primary European weather satellite Meteosat-1 first launched in 1977 Meteosat-1 first launched in 1977 Latest version is MSG (Meteosat Second Generation) Latest version is MSG (Meteosat Second Generation) Controlled by Eumetsat (originally by the European Space Agency) Controlled by Eumetsat (originally by the European Space Agency) High degree of continuity since 1977 to 2007 High degree of continuity since 1977 to 2007

22. Eumetsat HQ in Darmstadt, Germany

23. Overview of Meteosat system

24. Classic Meteosat Satellite VISIBLE: 0.5-0.9μm IR-WV: 5.7-7.1μm IR-THERMAL: 10.5-12.5μm

27. Primary ground segment antennas in Fucino

28. Mission Control Pre-processing

29. Main system data flows

30. 2D Image Histogram

31. Histogram Interpretation

32. Automated cloud motion vector winds

33. Cloud analysis

34. Eumetsat Post-processing For meteorological Analysis

35. Dissemination of products

36. Global coverage of geostationary satellite systems

37. References The Meteosat System (1996), Published by Eumetsat. Pub Ref: EUM TD 05 The Meteosat System (1996), Published by Eumetsat. Pub Ref: EUM TD 05 Geostationary weather remote sensing systems (2001) By Chen H.S. Published by Xlibris, US. Geostationary weather remote sensing systems (2001) By Chen H.S. Published by Xlibris, US. Eumetsat website: Eumetsat website: http://www.eumetsat.de http://www.eumetsat.de http://www.eumetsat.de