Oceans from Space!
Introduction to Earth Observation
[Optional: slide introducing presenters]
What is a satellite?
What is a satellite?
What is Earth Observation?
'Earthrise' - Apollo 8 Mission, 1968
What is Earth Observation?
Earth Observation involves collecting information about the Earth from space.
Earth Observation satellites carry giant cameras, radars, and even lasers!
Applications of Earth Observation:
'Earthrise' - Apollo 8 Mission, 1968
Where on Earth..?
1.
A quick quiz
Where on Earth..?
1.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Image from very high-resolution WorldView-2 Satellite
2.
2.
Antarctica
This is actually a mosaic image made up of lots of smaller satellite images, because Antarctica is so big!
3.
3.
Mount Everest
Image from very high-resolution GeoEye-1 Satellite
4.
Bonus: Can you identify some man-made and natural features?
4.
London, UK
Image from the Sentinel-2 satellite (10m resolution)
5.
What do you think the bright orange feature is?
Can you identify any other interesting features?
5.
La Palma, Canary Islands
During an eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano!
This is an infrared image, meaning it can detect the lava flow due to its heat causing it to appear very bright.
6.
What is the main feature you can see in this image?
Where do you think this could be?
6.
Hurricane Katrina, Gulf of Mexico
This is a satellite image of hurricane Katrina in 2005 in the Gulf of Mexico, starting to move across the southern states of the USA.
Sometimes cloud and weather can block satellite images, but in some cases, like this one, you want to track the cloud and weather in order to warn those that may be affected.
Oceans from Space
Why are the oceans important?
1. How much of planet Earth is Ocean?
2. Why are the oceans important? Think about climate, food, energy, economy ...
3. Who/what relies on the ocean? Think about what lives in the oceans and who uses the oceans...
Oceans from Space
Photo: Google Earth
Oceans cover 70% of Earth's surface and hold 97% of the water on Earth. That is why Earth is often called the ‘blue planet’.
This view of the Pacific Ocean highlights how much of our Earth is ocean.
The Blue Planet
The oceans produce 50% of the oxygen we breath!
So for every second breath, we have the oceans to thank!
The oceans absorbs carbon through:
The oxygen we breath and Earth's climate regulation
Oceans from Space
Image ESA
The oceans are home to many plants and animals.
The ocean ecosystem is highly sensitive to change.
Habitats and biodiversity
Oceans from Space
The economy
Oceans from Space
Oceans from Space
The ocean provides food for both humans and animals.
~3 billion people rely on seafood as their primary source of protein!
However, 85% of marine fish stocks are now fully exploited or overfished.
Food Source
Photo: Commercial and Sport Fishing
As climate change threatens planet Earth, we need to find alternative renewable energy sources.
The power of the oceans, through the waves, tides or winds, can generate renewable energy.
Renewable Energy
Oceans from Space
Photo: Power Engineering International
Oceans from Space
How can satellites help us study the oceans?
How deep is the ocean?
Oceans from Space
Photo: NOAA
Wildlife from Space
Oceans from Space
Mapping Coral Reefs and Coral Bleaching
Oceans from Space
Photo: ESA
Learn more:
https://www.allencoralatlas.org/
Ocean Circulation/Ocean Surface Currents
Oceans from Space
Photo: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
Knowing where the ocean is warmed and cooler and its changes are key to predicting the weather and monitoring ocean life.
SST and SSS control ocean DENSITY and, therefore, global ocean circulation. We will see why!
Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Sea Surface Salinity (SSS)
Oceans from Space
June 2023 Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Anomaly
Oceans from Space
Parts of the North Sea were >6°C warmer than usual for this time of the year.
Classified as a MARINE HEATWAVE
Impacts weather (storms) and ecosystems
ACTIVITY 1:
Monitoring Sea Surface Temperature from Space
a
Oceans from Space
HINT: Cold temperatures are in blue, warm temperatures in red. Look at the scale bar on the left!
ESA Climate from Space
ACTIVITY 1:
Monitoring Sea Surface Temperature from Space
Oceans from Space
CLASS DISCUSSION
What do you think could be causing these patterns in sea surface temperature?
ESA Climate from Space
HINT: Cold temperatures are in blue, warm temperatures in red. Look at the scale bar on the left!
Oceans from Space
What causes temperature and salinity to vary in the ocean?
Glacier melting
Rain
Evaporation
Rivers discharge
Oceans from Space
Why do we care about temperature and salinity in the ocean?
Temperature
+ Salinity
Density
Ocean Circulation
affects
affects
Oceans from Space
How does density relate to the ocean?
The density of the ocean around the world is controlled by:
TEMPERATURE
Warmer water = atoms more spread out!
Colder water = atoms closer together!
SALINITY
Fresh water = fewer atoms (no added salt)
Salty water = more atoms (added salt)
Less dense
More dense
Oceans from Space
How does density relate to the ocean?
We can think about the ocean like a bathtub, where the water hasn't been mixed. Some hot areas, some cold (temperature). Some areas with more bath salts than others (salinity).
Which side is denser?
What happens when something is denser than its environment? (e.g. water and ice)
Oceans from Space
How does density relate to the ocean?
We can think about the ocean like a bathtub, where the water hasn't been mixed. Some hot areas, some cold (temperature). Some areas with more bath salts than others (salinity).
Which side is denser?
What happens when something is denser than its environment? (e.g. water and ice)
ACTIVITY 2:
Monitoring Sea Surface Salinity from Space
Oceans from Space
HINT: salty = red
HINT: fresh = blue
HINT: have a look near coastlines. You can find a good example on the NE coast of South America.
If you have time, try and find some other examples around the world.
ESA Climate from Space
Oceans from Space
How does density relate to the ocean?
The same applies on a global scale, and this is what controls global ocean circulation.
Oceans from Space
Where would we find the most dense waters?
TEMPERATURE:
Colder water = more dense!
SALINITY
Salty water = more dense!
Oceans from Space
Where would we find the most dense waters?
DENSITY
TEMPERATURE:
Colder water = more dense!
SALINITY
Salty water = more dense!
Oceans from Space
The impact of density on global ocean circulation
Driven by temperature and salinity of the ocean.
Ocean Density
Global Ocean Circulation
Oceans from Space
What have we learnt today?
Discussion:
1. What are some threats facing the world's oceans?
2. What might happen to the oceans and life on Earth as a result?
3. What can we do to change the future of our oceans?
Our actions are putting the heath of the oceans at risk