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NASA is now publicly distributing science-quality data from its newest Earth-observing satellite, providing first-of-their-kind measurements of\u00a0ocean health, air quality,\u00a0and the effects of a changing climate.<\/p>\n
The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite was launched on Feb. 8, and has been put through several weeks of in-orbit testing of the spacecraft and instruments to ensure proper functioning and data quality. The mission is gathering data that the public now can access at <\/p>\n
PACE data will allow researchers to study microscopic life in the ocean and particles in the air, advancing the understanding of issues including fisheries health, harmful algal blooms, air pollution, and wildfire smoke. With PACE, scientists also can investigate how the ocean and atmosphere interact with each other and are affected by a changing climate. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThese stunning images are furthering NASA\u2019s commitment to protect our home planet,\u201d said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. \u201cPACE\u2019s observations will give us a better understanding of how our oceans and waterways, and the tiny organisms that call them home, impact Earth. From coastal communities to fisheries, NASA is gathering critical climate data for all people.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst light from the PACE mission is a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to better understand our changing planet. Earth is a water planet, and yet we know more about the surface of the moon than we do our own oceans. PACE is one of several key missions \u2013 including SWOT and our upcoming NISAR mission \u2013 that are opening a new age of Earth science,\u201d said Karen St. Germain, NASA Earth Science Division director.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The satellite\u2019s Ocean Color Instrument, which was built and managed by NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, observes the ocean, land, and atmosphere across a spectrum of ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared light. While previous ocean color satellites could only detect a handful of wavelengths, PACE is detecting more than 200 wavelengths. With this extensive spectral range, scientists can identify specific communities of phytoplankton. Different species play different roles in the ecosystem and carbon cycle \u2014 most are benign, but some are harmful to human health \u2014 so distinguishing phytoplankton communities is a key mission of the satellite.<\/p>\n
PACE\u2019s two multi-angle polarimeters, HARP2 and SPEXone, measure polarized light that has reflected off clouds and tiny particles in the atmosphere. These particles, known as aerosols, can range from dust to smoke to sea spray and more. The two polarimeters are complementary in their capabilities. SPEXone, built at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON) and Airbus Netherlands B.V., will view Earth in hyperspectral resolution \u2013 detecting all the colors of the rainbow \u2013 at five different viewing angles. HARP2, built at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), will observe four wavelengths of light, with 60 different viewing angles.<\/p>\n
With these data, scientists will be able to measure cloud properties \u2014 which are important for understanding climate \u2014 and monitor, analyze, and identify atmospheric aerosols to better inform the public about air quality. Scientists will also be able to learn how aerosols interact with clouds and influence cloud formation, which is essential to creating accurate climate models.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been dreaming of PACE-like imagery for over two decades.\u00a0It\u2019s surreal to finally see the real thing,\u201d said Jeremy Werdell, PACE project scientist at NASA Goddard.\u00a0\u201cThe data from all three instruments are of such high quality that we can start distributing it publicly two months from launch, and I\u2019m proud of our team for making that happen. These data will not only positively impact our everyday lives\u00a0by informing on air quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems, but also change how we view our home planet over time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The PACE mission is managed by NASA Goddard, which also built and tested the spacecraft and the ocean color instrument. The Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter #2 (HARP2) was designed and built by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and the Spectro-polarimeter\u00a0for Planetary Exploration (SPEXone) was developed and built by a Dutch consortium led by Netherlands Institute for Space Research, Airbus Defence, and Space Netherlands.<\/p>\n
By <\/strong>Erica McNamee<\/strong>
NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n