BALTEX Phase II 2003 – 2012. Science Framework and ...

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BALTEX Phase II Science Framework and Implementation Strategy
dedicated BALTEX data centre function for satellite data, which will go beyond the responsibilities of
the CM-SAF. This data centre should be primarily a metadata centre which informs about available
satellite data by technical information and example files, possible products and expert groups to
contact, data availability, data sources, and data policy. A strong cooperation with upcoming grid
projects in this area of research is essential for a satellite data centre function.
At the Institute for Space Science of the Free University of Berlin, new retrieval techniques are
developed and applied to different types of satellite data. To assure the quality of the products,
validation exercises are performed due to cross-satellite comparisons, ground truth and aircraft
measurements. The satellite data centre of the institute provides atmospheric and oceanic products
derived from SEVIRI, MERIS and MODIS in near real time. All products are displayed at the
internet-homepage of the Institute for Space Science. This service is not mandatory and depends on
the availability of external funding. Beyond this already existing service, the Institute may be a
potential candidate to take over the responsibility for the satellite data facility.
BALTEX Phase II will strongly benefit from the following new satellite data:
AMSR-E (Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer – Earth Observing System) is a passive
microwave radiometer sensing microwave radiation (brightness temperatures) at 12 channels and 65
frequencies ranging from 6.9 to 89 GHz. AMSR-E estimates geophysical parameters supporting
several global change science and monitoring efforts, including precipitation, oceanic water vapour,
cloud water, near-surface wind speed, sea surface temperature, soil moisture snow cover, and sea ice
parameters. All of these measurements are critical to understanding the earth climate, and thus for
BALTEX Phase II.
Fig. 8.1 AMSR-E sea ice map of the Baltic
Sea, showing the day of maximum
sea ice extent in 2003 (1 March).
Daily AMSR-E sea ice maps are
available via http://iup.physik.unibremen.de:8084/baltic/baltic.html
GRACE (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment) measures the gravity field of the Earth. This
field is highly variable in both space and time, and is an integral constraint on the mean and time
variable mass distribution of the Earth. GRACE is expected to lead to an improvement of several
orders of magnitude in gravity measurements and to allow much improved resolution of the broad to
finer-scale features of Earth’s gravitational field over both land and sea. GRACE will lead to improved
geoid information necessary for altimetry. The GRACE mission together with other existing sources
of data will greatly improve our understanding of hydrology and oceanography, in addition to