Satellite images help scientist on the VOCALS campaign see patterns in clouds over the Southeastern Pacific Ocean. This image shows pockets of open cells (POCs) in stratocumulus clouds. Click on image for full size (114 Kb) Image courtesy of the MODIS Science Team at NASA GSFC.

Many types of data from satellites are used throughout the VOCALS field campaign. Satellite observations complement data gathered from airplanes and ships to provide a more detailed overall picture of the climate of the Southeast Pacific. Measurements taken at closer range from ships and aircraft also help fine-tune the calibration of satellite-based remote sensing techniques.

Satellites provide VOCALS atmospheric scientists with lots of data about clouds and the atmosphere. Satellite images show details of cloud distribution, especially the "pockets of open cells" (POCs) that are common in the VOCALS study area. Satellite sensors measure the amount of sunlight reflected back into space by clouds, helping scientists better understand Earth's radiation budget. Instruments on satellites help scientists determine wind speed and direction near Earth's surface, the distribution of aerosol particles in the atmosphere, and the size and density of water droplets within clouds.

Satellites also observe characteristics of the ocean. They provide information on sea surface temperature, ocean currents, plankton concentrations, and even the height of the ocean surface. As you might imagine, data from ships and buoys complement the measurements taken from space.

Numerous NASA satellites contribute data to VOCALS scientists. They include Terra, Aqua, CloudSat, and QuikSCAT (NASA/JPL). The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, a cooperative venture between NASA and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), also provides important data. NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) GOES-10 satellite generates valuable visible and infrared images of clouds in the Southeast Pacific. GOES stands for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite.

Satellite images like this one help scientist on the VOCALS campaign. This picture shows patterns in clouds over the Southeastern Pacific Ocean. Click on image for full size (114 Kb) Image courtesy of the MODIS Science Team at NASA GSFC.

Scientists use lots of data from satellites in the VOCALS field campaign. They also gather data from instruments on ships and on airplanes. When they combine data from satellites, ships, and aircraft, they get a better "picture" of what's going on in the Southeast Pacific.

Satellites give VOCALS scientists lots of data about clouds and the atmosphere. Pictures from satellites show scientist where there are clouds and where the air is clear. They also measure how much sunlight is reflected from clouds back into space. Instruments on satellites also help scientists measure the wind, spot swarms of tiny aerosol particles, and figure out what water droplets in clouds are like.

Satellites also help measure things about the ocean. They tell us the temperature of the ocean, what ocean currents are like, the height of the sea surface, and even where there is lots of plankton. Scientists combine these satellite measurements with data gathered from ships.

Which satellites are used by VOCALS? There are a lot of them! Here are the main ones. They include NASA's Terra, Aqua, CloudSat, and QuikSCAT. There is also the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, which is from NASA and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). The GOES-10 satellite is from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). GOES stands for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite.

Satellite images like this one help scientist on the VOCALS campaign. This picture shows patterns in clouds over the Southeastern Pacific Ocean. Click on image for full size (114 Kb) Image courtesy of the MODIS Science Team at NASA GSFC.

Scientists use satellites in the VOCALS field campaign. They also gather data from instruments on ships and on airplanes. They put the data from the satellites, ships, and aircraft together to get a better idea of what's going on in the Southeast Pacific.

Satellites give VOCALS scientists lots of data about clouds and the atmosphere. Some satellites take pictures. The pictures show scientists where there are clouds and where the air is clear. Some satellites measure sunlight that bounces of clouds and back into space. Satellites also help scientists measure the wind and spot swarms of tiny aerosol particles. They also help scientist study water droplets in clouds.

Satellites also help measure things about the ocean. They tell us the temperature of the ocean and what ocean currents are like. They also measure the height of the ocean surface and even how much plankton is in the water! Scientists put these satellite measurements together with data gathered from ships.

Which satellites are used by VOCALS? There are a lot of them! Some of the main ones are from NASA. That includes the Terra, Aqua, CloudSat, and QuikSCAT satellites. There is also the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, which is from NASA and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). There is also GOES-10, which is from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). GOES stands for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite.