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Workshop demonstrates benefits of soil moisture data validation tool
Soil moisture scientists had the opportunity to train with an ESA validation service at a recent workshop. The tool, which is highly rated by the CEOS Working Group on Calibration and Validation, provides valuable support for validating data.
ERS ATSR fourth Reprocessing datasets available to users
The fourth Reprocessing of the ATSR L1B datasets derived from the ERS-1 and ERS-2 satellites have now been released to users by the European Space Agency (ESA).
ERS ATSR L1B Brightness Temperature/Radiance [ER1_AT_1_RBT / ER2_AT_1_RBT]
Band measurements with associated uncertainty estimates. The ERS-1/2 ATSR Level 1B Brightness Temperature/Radiance products (RBT) contain top of atmosphere (TOA) brightness temperature (BT) values for the infra-red channels and radiance values for the visible channels, when available, on a 1-km pixel grid. The visible channels are only available for the ATSR-2 instrument. Values for each channel and for the nadir and oblique views occupy separate NetCDF files within the Sentinel-SAFE format, along with associated uncertainty estimates. Additional files contain cloud flags, land and water masks, and confidence flags for each image pixel, as well as instrument and ancillary meteorological information. The ATSR-1 and ATSR-2 products [ER1_AT_1_RBT and ER2_AT_1_RBT], in NetCDF format stemming from the 4th ATSR reprocessing, are precursors of Envisat AATSR and Sentinel-3 SLSTR data. They have replaced the former L1B products [AT1_TOA_1P and AT2_TOA_1P] in Envisat format from the 3rd reprocessing. Users with Envisat-format products are recommended to move to the new Sentinel-SAFE like/NetCDF format products, and consult the ERS ATSR Product Notice Readme document. The processing updates that have been put in place and the expected scientific improvements for the ERS ATSR 4th reprocessing data have been outlined in full in the User Documentation for (A)ATSR 4th Reprocessing Products
ESA's improved Earth system data records: what is in store for the future?
Fundamental Data Records (FDRs) are instrumental in advancing our understanding of Earth systems and for addressing societal challenges effectively. These long-term records contain uncertainty-quantified, calibrated and geo-located multi-instrument/multi-platform satellite sensor data spanning several decades to support climate-related applications.
SMOS data distribution resumed
SMOS data distribution to end users was resumed on 12 March 2024 after confirmation of the adequate quality of the current data.
SMOS data outage since 22 February 2024
SMOS went into safe mode on 22 February 2024 at 05:10 UTC for reasons that are still under investigation.
New reanalysis dataset impacts SMOS Level 3 and 4 sea ice thickness
On 24 January 2024 the JRA55 reanalysis dataset was terminated and updated with the Japanese Reanalysis for Three Quarters of a Century.
Highlighting the value of SMOS data in space weather applications
Data from ESA’s SMOS mission are driving many space weather applications, ranging from air navigation, characterisation of solar flares, space weather modelling and ionospheric electron content mapping.
Ensuring soil moisture data quality with reference measurements
ESA is taking steps to verify the accuracy of soil moisture estimation with the Fiducial Reference Measurements for Soil Moisture (FRM4SM) project and a new version of the Quality Assurance for Soil Moisture (QA4SM) service.
New version v206 of the SMOS-CryoSat level 4 sea ice thickness product is now available
The new version 206 of the merged SMOS-CryoSat level 4 sea ice thickness product is now available on the SMOS data dissemination service.
Experimental version of SMOS Antarctic Sea ice thickness product is now available
The experimental version of SMOS Antarctic Sea ice thickness product was produced using a method to derive the sea-ice thickness from 1.4 GHz brightness temperatures previously developed for the Arctic, with only modified auxiliary data. The product is available in the cold season during the freezing period, typically March to October for the Southern Hemisphere.
14 years of reprocessed SMOS Freeze/Thaw soil status products are now available
14 years of reprocessed SMOS Freeze/Thaw soil status products are now available from the SMOS dissemination service
New version of SMOS L3 Soil Freeze and Thaw product soon available
Seasonal freezing and thawing of soil play a fundamental role in shaping ecosystems and influencing a range of ecological processes.
2nd SMOS for Space Weather Workshop
The 2nd Workshop on SMOS for Space Weather will take place on 27th October 2023, hosted by the Space Weather Group of the University of Alcala, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid, Spain).
Synergy of space data helps modernise irrigation systems
The growing demands on agriculture, coupled with the climate crisis, are pressurising Earth’s valuable freshwater resources and making assessment of water practices ever more important.
SMOS Tools updates
Updates for two SMOS tools have been released, offering new features and improvements.
An overview of the SMOS mission
In this video, Klaus Scipal - Biomass and SMOS Mission Manager - talks about ESA's Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission.
Introducing the Biomass and SMOS Mission Manager
In this video, Klaus Scipal describes his role as Mission Manager of Biomass and SMOS, and what he enjoys about his involvement with these dedicated science missions.
SMOS data reveal ecosystems' resistance to drought
Climate change is rapidly altering the world’s ecosystems, causing extreme weather conditions, such as droughts, to become increasingly frequent. Understanding the factors that contribute to ecosystem resilience to extreme events is vital to develop more effective strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation.
SMOS Near Real Time Sea Surface Wind Speed products back to nominal dissemination
Following a pause in the dissemination of SMOS Near Real Time Sea Surface Wind Speed data on 2 May, the processor has now been updated and nominal dissemination has resumed.