Mapping the hidden movement of water across our planet
In short: Watch how NASA's Aqua satellite uses microwave technology to see through clouds and darkness, providing a continuous look at Earth's vital water cycle.
The AMSR-E instrument allowed scientists to monitor critical environmental variables including rainfall, atmospheric moisture, snow cover, and sea surface temperatures. Because it utilizes microwave scanning, the data remains consistent regardless of whether it is day or night, or if heavy clouds are obstructing the view.
This collaboration between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) provided nearly a decade of data from 2002 to 2011. It serves as a foundational tool for understanding global water movement, with a successor instrument scheduled for launch in 2012.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: NASA | Aqua's AMSR-E Scans Earth's Water Cycle
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