BROWSE RESULTS BY CATEGORY
All categories
Meet the Quality Assurance for EO Team
The Quality Assurance For Earth Observation (also known as QA4EO) Service began its operations on 1 November 2019, providing support to the Data Quality and Algorithms Management Office at ESRIN, within the Sensor Performance, Processing and Algorithm section.
Earth Online Newsletter - 08 November 2024
This issue of the Earth Online Newsletter covers a selection of the latest news and events from ESA
Heritage data reveal potential interactions between Campi Flegrei and Vesuvius volcanoes
The densely inhabited area of Naples, Italy, between Campi Flegrei caldera and the Vesuvius volcano, is one of the most hazardous regions in the world—Heritage data from ESA’s ERS and Envisat missions are proving to be vital in studying possible interactions between the two volcanic landforms.
Agriculture and Space: What Capabilities Can Satellites Bring?
Satellites enable the digital capture of vast and diverse agricultural data, which are essential for modern farming. By providing a comprehensive view of Earth's surface, satellites contribute invaluable information on crop health, soil moisture, and vegetation.
HEDAVI Tutorial: how to search for images in HEDAVI’s Explorer mode
The Explorer mode of the HEritage DAta VIsualisation tool (HEDAVI) allows users to process on-the-fly, visualise, share and export Earth observation data from ESA’s Heritage and Third Party Missions.
FDR4ATMOS - New ESA FDR for Atmospheric composition dataset from ERS-2 GOME and Envisat SCIAMACHY
In addition to releasing new datasets for Envisat SCIAMACHY, the European Space Agency (ESA) has advanced the earth observation capabilities by developing an experimental product under the ESA FDR4ATMOS project (Fundamental Data Records in the domain of satellite Atmospheric Composition).
Fundamental Data Record for Atmospheric Composition [ATMOS__L1B]
The Fundamental Data Record (FDR) for Atmospheric Composition UVN v.1.0 dataset is a cross-instrument Level-1 product [ATMOS__L1B] generated in 2023 and resulting from the ESA FDR4ATMOS project. The FDR contains selected Earth Observation Level 1b parameters (irradiance/reflectance) from the nadir-looking measurements of the ERS-2 GOME and Envisat SCIAMACHY missions for the period ranging from 1995 to 2012. The data record offers harmonised cross-calibrated spectra with focus on spectral windows in the Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared regions for the retrieval of critical atmospheric constituents like ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) column densities, alongside cloud parameters. The FDR4ATMOS products should be regarded as experimental due to the innovative approach and the current use of a limited-sized test dataset to investigate the impact of harmonization on the Level 2 target species, specifically SO2, O3 and NO2. Presently, this analysis is being carried out within follow-on activities. The FDR4ATMOS V1 is currently being extended to include the MetOp GOME-2 series. Product format For many aspects, the FDR product has improved compared to the existing individual mission datasets: GOME solar irradiances are harmonised using a validated SCIAMACHY solar reference spectrum, solving the problem of the fast-changing etalon present in the original GOME Level 1b data; Reflectances for both GOME and SCIAMACHY are provided in the FDR product. GOME reflectances are harmonised to degradation-corrected SCIAMACHY values, using collocated data from the CEOS PIC sites; SCIAMACHY data are scaled to the lowest integration time within the spectral band using high-frequency PMD measurements from the same wavelength range. This simplifies the use of the SCIAMACHY spectra which were split in a complex cluster structure (with own integration time) in the original Level 1b data; The harmonization process applied mitigates the viewing angle dependency observed in the UV spectral region for GOME data; Uncertainties are provided. Each FDR product provides, within the same file, irradiance/reflectance data for UV-VIS-NIR special regions across all orbits on a single day, including therein information from the individual ERS-2 GOME and Envisat SCIAMACHY measurements. FDR has been generated in two formats: Level 1A and Level 1B targeting expert users and nominal applications respectively. The Level 1A [ATMOS__L1A] data include additional parameters such as harmonisation factors, PMD, and polarisation data extracted from the original mission Level 1 products. The ATMOS__L1A dataset is not part of the nominal dissemination to users. In case of specific requirements, please contact EOHelp. Please refer to the README file for essential guidance before using the data. All the new products are conveniently formatted in NetCDF. Free standard tools, such as Panoply, can be used to read NetCDF data. Panoply is sourced and updated by external entities. For further details, please consult our Terms and Conditions page. Uncertainty characterisation One of the main aspects of the project was the characterization of Level 1 uncertainties for both instruments, based on metrological best practices. The following documents are provided: General guidance on a metrological approach to Fundamental Data Records (FDR) Uncertainty Characterisation document Effect tables NetCDF files containing example uncertainty propagation analysis and spectral error correlation matrices for SCIAMACHY (Atlantic and Mauretania scene for 2003 and 2010) and GOME (Atlantic scene for 2003) reflectance_uncertainty_example_FDR4ATMOS_GOME.nc reflectance_uncertainty_example_FDR4ATMOS_SCIA.nc
Showcasing ESA's HEDAVI Earth observation tool
ESA's HEDAVI (HEritage DAta VIsualiation) is a platform that allows users to freely access over 40 years of ESA Earth observation Heritage, Third Party Missions and some Copernicus data.
FDR4ATMOS FDR README
This document contains a summary of the product and its characteristics. Details about the algorithms that were used to generate the product
FDR4ATMOS FDR Uncertainty Guidance Document
This document provides guidance for the project consortium for the fdr4xxx series of projects on a meteorological approach to the development of fundamental data records.
FDR4ATMOS Uncertainty Characterisation Document
This document is the Uncertainty Characterization Report for the FDR 4ATMOS products and describes the methods and results of the uncertainty analysis undertaken.
Earth Online Newsletter - 09 August 2024
This issue of the Earth Online Newsletter covers a selection of the latest news and events from ESA
Showcasing success stories from ESA's CryoSat mission
ESA's ice mission, CryoSat, was launched in 2010 and carried an advanced radar altimeter to measure Earth's cryosphere.
Release of new Envisat SCIAMACHY reprocessed data
ESA's Envisat SCIAMACHY mission, which ended operations in 2012, continues to yield valuable scientific insights through ongoing data reprocessing efforts.
Sandstorm Egypt, December 2010
See satellite images of Egypt during sandstorm and during clear weather.
Algal blooms in Lake Erie (North America), 2011
View the algal blooms in Lake Erie through satellite imagery captured by the Envisat satellite.
How to find data collection in EO CAT?
A short guide to EO-CAT Earth Observation Catalogue application with examples.
Envisat SCIAMACHY Level 2 [SCI_____2P]
This Envisat SCIAMACHY Level 2 Total column densities and stratospheric profiles v7.1 dataset is generated from the full mission reprocessing campaign completed in 2023 under the ESA FDR4ATMOS project. It provides atmospheric columnar distributions and stratospheric profiles for various trace gases based on the Level 1b version 10 products. This SCIAMACHY Level 2 dataset contains total column densities of O3, NO2, OClO, H2O, SO2, BrO, CO, HCHO, CHOCHO and CH4 retrieved from Nadir measurements. Additionally, cloud parameters (fractional coverage, top height, optical thickness) and an aerosol absorption indicator are enclosed. Stratospheric profiles of O3, NO2, and BrO are derived from limb measurements, along with flagging information for different cloud-types. Tropospheric NO2 and BrO columns are retrieved combining limb and nadir measurements. This SCIAMACHY Level 2 dataset version 7.1 replaces the previous version 6.01. Users are strongly encouraged to make use of the new datasets for optimal results. For limb O3 profiles, a separate product derived from the previous Version 6 processor is provided distinctly -> SCIAMACHY Level 2 - Limb Ozone [SCI_LIMBO3]. This is because the V7.1 limb ozone data is unsuitable for long-term change studies due to its divergent behavior from earlier processor versions, particularly from 2009 onwards. This divergence stems from residual deficiencies in the Level 1, resulting in a vertical oscillating pattern in the drift and bias profiles. In contrast, Version 6 limb ozone data does not exhibit these oscillations in bias and drift. Further details on this issue can be found in the latest README file. The new products are conveniently formatted in NetCDF. Free standard tools, such as Panoply, can be used to read NetCDF data. Panoply is sourced and updated by external entities. For further details, please consult our Terms and Conditions page. Please refer to the README file for essential guidance before using the data.
Envisat SCIAMACHY Level 2 - Limb Ozone [SCI_LIMBO3]
This Envisat SCIAMACHY Ozone stratospheric profiles dataset has been extracted from the previous baseline (v6.01) of the SCIAMACHY Level 2 data. The dataset is generated in the framework of the full mission reprocessing campaign completed in 2023 under the ESA FDR4ATMOS project. For optimal results, users are strongly encouraged to make use of these specific ozone limb profiles rather than the ones contained in the SCIAMACHY Level 2 dataset version 7.1. The new products are conveniently formatted in NetCDF. Free standard tools, such as Panoply, can be used to read NetCDF data. Panoply is sourced and updated by external entities. For further details, please consult our Terms and Conditions page. Please refer to the README file (L2 v6.01) for essential guidance before using the data.
Envisat SCIAMACHY Level 1b [SCI_____1P]
This Envisat SCIAMACHY Level 1b Geo-located atmospheric spectra V.10 dataset is generated from the full mission reprocessing campaign completed in 2023 under the ESA FDR4ATMOS project. This data product contains SCIAMACHY geo-located (ir)radiance spectra for Nadir, Limb, and Occultation measurements (Level 1), accompanied by supplementary monitoring and calibration measurements, along with instrumental parameters detailing the operational status and configuration throughout the Envisat satellite lifetime (2002-2012). Additionally, calibrated lunar measurements, including individual readings and averaged disk measurements, have been integrated into the Level 1b product. The Level 1b product represents the lowest level of SCIAMACHY data made available to the users. The measurements undergo correction for instrument degradation applying a scan mirror model and m-factors. However, spectra are partially calibrated and require a further step to apply specific calibrations with the SCIAMACHY Calibration and Extraction Tool [SciaL1c]. For many aspects, the SCIAMACHY Level 1b version 10 product marks a significant improvement with respect to previous mission datasets, supplanting the Level 1b dataset version 8.0X with product type SCI_NL__1P. Users are strongly encouraged to make use of the new datasets for optimal results. The new products are conveniently formatted in NetCDF. Free standard tools, such as Panoply, can be used to read NetCDF data. Panoply is sourced and updated by external entities. For further details, please consult our Terms and Conditions page. Please refer to the README file for essential guidance before using the data.