Govind Tekale
The EarthCARE satellite which was launched less than 2 months ago, has returned images from two of its 4 instruments.
The first images from its multispectral imager have been delivered now. It showcases various types of clouds and cloud temperatures from across the globe. This instrument sets a valuable context for the data from EarthCARE’s other instruments to be added.
EarthCARE is equipped with 4 state- of – art instruments – a cloud profiling radar, an atmospheric liar, a broadband radiometer and a multispectral imager, making a range of different measurements simultaneously. These measurements will help determine how clouds and aerosols reflect the arriving solar energy back into outer space and how they trap outgoing infrared energy.
This information is crucial for understanding how climate change is affecting Earth’s energy balance and for predicting the rate at which clouds and aerosols could lose their current overall cooling effect in future.
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Launched into orbit around Earth on 29th May, this remarkable satellite returned the first images from the cloud profiling radar, shortly followed by the first images from the broadband radiometer.
Special information used to improve the accuracy of the broadband radiometer is provided by the multispectral imager.
Images captured with these different special bands will allow scientists to differentiate between various cloud types, aerosol and Earth’s surface.
Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programs, commented, “This is another great result from EarthCARE, giving us a glimpse into what the mission will deliver after it is fully commissioned.”
She added, “The multispectral imager will be key to adding context to the satellite’s other three instruments to advance complicated science on Earth’s energy balance. We now eagerly await the first images from EarthCARE’s atmospheric lidar.”
In short, ESA’s EarthCARE’a multispectral imager puts clouds into context.
