NASA previously released a Request for Information (RFI) on a Terra, Aqua, and Aura Drifting Orbits Workshop, for which the response date is October 11, 2022.
The Terra, Aqua, and Aura Drifting Orbits Workshop will be held virtually on November 1-2, 2022. The Workshop Agenda has been posted on the NSPIRES page for this RFI. To attend please register at https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/terra-aqua-and-aura-drifting-orbits-workshop-registration, or use the QR code in the image below.
Summer is in full swing, but it wouldn’t be complete without a visit to “camp”.. Camp Landsat, that is!
“Terra Visits Camp Landsat” is part story map, part interactive virtual series, highlighting the weekly themes of Camp Landsat 2022. Check out our Week 1: People and Places story map below, focused on Black Rock City — a massive urban area that only exists for one week out of the year, during the annual Burning Man event. View the full screen version by clicking on the icon above (and for a challenge, see if you can find the ceremonial “burning-of-the-man” fire signature in satellite data!)
For full screen access to the story map, click the icon above or use this link!
We recently featured several important scientists who use Terra data in their research, including Dr. Rebecca Buchholz (check out the post here) who works with Dr. Helen Worden, the US Principal Investigator for the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) sensor to evaluate spatial patterns of air pollution critical for natural hazard response and public health planning.
MOPITT data are used to derive carbon monoxide concentrations such as those released from burning vegetation, coal, and other combustible plant material. MOPITT carbon monoxide measurements are used to determine where wildfires are burning and to infer the presence of other air pollutants, too. After analyzing over 15 years of data, the MOPITT team found that overall carbon monoxide levels have decreased globally over the past decade, but with varying amounts related to regional land use differences. Additionally, the team also discovered that an increase in new seasonal peaks of air pollution– especially from summer wildfires burning in the American Pacific Northwest – contribute to increased health risks “downwind” of these fires – even impacting places as far away as Colorado! Find out more about this research in this NCAR/UCAR News article and this Earth Observatory Image of the Day!
For more on Dr. Helen Worden’s research, check out her bio here as well as her 2012 interview by our own Tassia Owens!
It’s been a busy summer for the MODIS instrument! Here are a few highlights you may have missed:
‣ On July 1st, our long-serving MODIS instrument lead, Dr. Michael King, officially retired. While we’re sad to see him go and wish him the best in his new adventures, we’re excited to introduce our new MODIS lead, Dr. Miguel Roman! Look for his updated bio on the Terra website soon.
‣ The NASA Land and Atmosphere data teams held meetings in May and June (you can find presentation materials and more info with this link to the MODIS newsfeed).
‣ A brand new reprocessed MODIS cloud properties dataset that combines both Terra and Aqua data is now available for download and use. Find out more information in this informative post from the LAADS DAAC.
‣ Check out these two recent research features on the Natural Capital Project (links here and here), a collaboration among scientists, farmers, and the luxury clothing industry. Terra MODIS vegetation index data products are being used as part of this effort to model future goat-grazing land use in order to benefit both farmers and the environment. Frequent sampling and wide area coverage of MODIS normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) dataset were leveraged and used as input for climate models, resulting in more sustainable land-use practices.
If you’re a frequent user of Terra data, you’re probably somewhat aware of the recent and upcoming changes to Terra’s “traditional” orbit. (If you weren’t aware of these upcoming changes, or if you just want to read an excellent overview of Terra’s legacy and future, click on the link to read Blumenfeld’s article “From Terra to Terra Firma”).
In efforts to get the news out about Terra’s lowering and drift – and to inform users of potential data impacts resulting from these orbit changes — we’ll be posting several new infographics and short animations on the Terra website, as part of a larger campaign to celebrate over two decades of Terra data. Any graphics posted are available for public use and redistribution. (Click on the image for larger resolution and please share with others!)
Here’s an example of the new graphics we’ll be posting on the site:
This infographic gives a simplified overview of Terra’s orbital movements, from its current drift, through the constellation exit this Fall, and finally into a lower, drifting orbit – along with the estimated (minor) effects possible due to these orbital changes.
Check the Terra website often for additional information on the Celebrating 25 Years of Terra Data campaign and events!