Events Archive
2014 Events
January 2014 : Who's Next ?
SMOS-Next HR mission supported by the hydrology and Earth Sciences scientific community was proposed in answer to the call for ideas sent last June in the framework of the scientific prospective seminar in March 2014 at CNES. A "users committee" (science and applications) met during 2 days at CESBIO mid-January, to write a "mission needs" document. 14 people, representing different communities ranging from oceans (deep-sea and coastal) to land surfaces (agriculture and hydrology) including the cryosphere (sea ice and polar caps) were present.
Illustration of a possible configuration for SMOS-Next: two satellites in formation flying
The conclusions of the scientific prospective seminar will be presented by the end of March 2014 to CNES Scientific Programme Committee. This committee could then recommend some of the propositions discussed during the seminar, preliminary activities, mission analysis (phase 0 studies) and/or Research and Technology (R&T).
While waiting for SMOS-Next, SMOS still supply excellent data that are available at ESA for levels 1 and 2 and at CATDS (Centre Aval de Traitement des Données Smos) for levels 3 and 4.
Read the complete news on CESBIO web site.
January 2014 : What lies beneath?
Around a thousand kilometres from the coast and more than 3000 m above sea level, Dome-C on the Antarctic Plateau is one of the remotest and coldest places on Earth. With very little snowfall it is also extremely dry, effectively a flat white desert.
Despite being such a harsh environment, these conditions are very stable so it offers an ideal place to check the validity of the data from ESA's SMOS and GOCE Earth observation satellites.
SMOS carries an L-band microwave radiometer that captures images of "brightness temperature" to measure soil moisture and ocean salinity. GOCE mapped Earth's gravity with unrivalled precision for over four years.
SMOS and GOCE use completely different types of instrument to measure completely different aspects of Earth. Nevertheless, the measurements taken from the aircraft's two sensors show the similar patterns across the Antarctic ice surveyed by the plane.
An airborne field campaign carried out at Dome-C in Antarctica to validate data from ESA's SMOS and GOCE missions revealed remarkable similarity between spatial patterns observed by the microwave and gravity instruments. © S. Kristensen and F. Forsberg, DTU
Read the complete news on ESA web site.
2013 Events
October 2013 : SMOS sees triple superstorms
ESA's water mission tracked Asia's recent storms over land and sea. Over the past three weeks, tropical cyclone activity has intensified over the seas bordering southern and eastern Asia.
Cyclone Phailin began forming on 4 October in the Gulf of Thailand, before moving northwest across the Bay of Bengal and making landfall in northern India. Typhoons Nari and Wipha subsequently formed on 8 October: Nari west of the Philippines and Wipha east of Guam.
During all three superstorms, ESA's Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite, SMOS, captured snapshots of surface wind speeds under the intense storms.
SMOS's microwave radiometer captured wind speed readings from three different typhoons during 10-15 October 2013. © ESA/IFREMER/CLS/CATDS/CNES
Read the complete news on ESA web site.
June 2013 : SMOS maps record soil water before flood
As parts of central Europe are battling with the most extensive floods in centuries, forecasters are hoping that ESA's SMOS satellite will help to improve the accuracy of flood prediction in the future.
The animation shows the wet soils in blues and the dryer soils in yellows
© CESBIO/ESA
These maps have been created by CESBIO, using data from DPGS (ESAC). Other higher level maps will be produced by the CATDS (Centre Aval de Traitement des Données SMOS).
The massive flooding that central Europe is currently suffering was brought about by a wet spring and sudden heavy rains. Prior to the torrential rains, SMOS showed that soils in Germany were showing record levels of moisture - in fact, the highest ever observed.
At the end of May we see that the soil was almost fully saturated, with record values for moisture. More rain meant that it immediately ran off as the surplus water could not soak into the soil, and this resulted in these terrible floods.
Numerical Weather Predication centres are currently assessing the possibility of using SMOS data to improve weather and flood forecasts, so hopefully we will be better placed to predict these events more accurately in the future.
SMOS satellite is an ESA/CNES/CDTI cooperation program. CNES operational teams make sure to keep a high availability of the satellite, in order to be able to analyse its precious data, including in case of unexpected and sudden event.
Read the complete news on ESA web site.
February 2013 : SMOS: the global success story continues
Over the past three years ESA's water mission has been providing more accurate information on global soil moisture and ocean salinity. SMOS is shedding new light on the meandering Gulf Stream, and this is just one of the SMOS satellite's numerous achievements.
Sea-surface salinity and currents
© IFREMER, ESA
Salinity data from SMOS show that warm, salty water being carried north by the Gulf Stream converges with colder, less-salty water transported southward along North America's east coast by the Labrador Current. This convergence causes strong lateral gradients, leading to mixing processes between the water masses off Cape Hatteras.
SMOS observations are able to delineate and monitor the resulting eddies that have been 'pinched off' from the current and form little parcels of warm and salty water in the Labrador Current, and colder, fresher water in the Gulf Stream.
SMOS is able to monitor the dynamics of this process thanks to its high resolution and frequent revisit time. This is giving scientists new insight into how salt is exchanged across current boundaries - a key to better understanding the conveyor belt of global oceanic circulation.
Read the complete news on ESA web site.
2012 Events
November 9, 2012 : Super storm Sandy tracked by SMOS
When millions of people are bracing themselves for the onslaught of extreme weather, as much information as possible is needed to predict the strength of the impending storm. ESA's SMOS mission again showed its versatility by capturing unique measurements of Hurricane Sandy.
Unusually, Sandy was a hybrid storm, tapping energy from the evaporation of seawater like a hurricane and from different air temperatures like a winter storm. These conditions generated a super storm that spanned an incredible 1800 km.
As it orbited above, the satellite intercepted parts of Hurricane Sandy at least eight times as the storm swept over Jamaica and Cuba around 25 October, until its landfall in New Jersey, US, four days later.
The data from these encounters have been used to estimate the speed of the wind over the ocean's surface.
Estimates of surface wind speeds (km/hr) from SMOS data along the track of Hurricane Sandy. Spanning 1800 km, this super storm is the largest Atlantic hurricane on record, devastating parts of the Caribbean and northeastern US in October 2012. The SMOS microwave radiometer, which operates in the L-band, has the unique ability to see through clouds and rain to provide reliable estimates of surface wind speeds in intense storms.
Credits: Ifremer
November 5-9, 2012 : SMOS formation session
CESBIO, in collaboration with CNES and ESA, offers en opportunity to learn how to work with Soil Moisture, Ocean Salinity and Brightness Temperature products from this pioneering satellite mission.
For more informationOctober 2012 : SMOS has a better look at salinity
Earth observation measurements shouldn't be taken with a pinch of salt. ESA is comparing readings of sea-surface salinity from drifting floats to confirm the SMOS water mission's measurements.
As with any Earth observation mission, it is important to validate the readings acquired from space. This involves comparing the satellite data with measurements taken directly in the water.
For SMOS, that means comparing its readings to data from floats or drifters that measure ocean salinity at different depths.
SMOS provides measurements of sea-surface salinity over an area of 40x40 sq km, while Argo floats provide punctual salinity data. Credits: ESA
One of the major networks of in-situ drifters is Argo. The network, involving over 50 research and operational agencies in more than 30 countries, uses autonomous floats to collect temperature, salinity and deep current data.
With over 3500 active drifters, the Argo floats acquire in situ data in the upper 2000 m of the ocean.
These measurements are then directly compared to SMOS data, which in turn cover the global ocean and provide measurements of the salinity in the first centimetre of the sea surface.
July 2012 : SMOS works with water
What is the common point between the monitoring of sea ice and the fight against locusts? SMOS satellite.
SMOS works with water (in French) by CNES
July 3, 2012 : SMOS satellite measurements improve as ground radars switch off
Over a dozen radio signals that have hindered data collection on ESA's SMOS water mission have been switched off. The effort also benefits satellites such as NASA's Aquarius mission, which measures ocean salinity at the same frequency.
The two images show monthly averaged sea surface salinity at northern latitudes as measured by SMOS. In May 2011, radio frequency interference (RFI) still hindered salinity readings. Over a dozen RFIs were switched off prior to May 2012, making salinity measurements more accurate thereafter.
Credits: N. Reul, IFREMER/CATDS
June 19, 2012 : Over 30 years of global soil moisture observations for climate applications
Water held in soil plays an important role in the climate system. The dataset released by ESA is the first remote-sensing soil moisture data record spanning the period 1978 to 2010 - a predecessor of the data now being provided by ESA's SMOS mission.
The datasets are now available to the science community for feedback analyses and climate model validation.
Read the complete news on ESA web siteJune 2012 : Thanks to SMOS, the A. Wegener Institutes found that the North-East Passage could soon be free from ice
The North-East Passage, the sea route along the North coast of Russia, is expected to be free of ice early again this summer. The forecast was made by sea ice physicists of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association based on a series of measurement flights over the Laptev Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean. Amongs experts the shelf sea is known as an "ice factory" of Arctic sea ice. At the end of last winter the researchers discovered large areas of thin ice not being thick enough to withstand the summer melt.
The SMOS satellite measurements from March and April of this year confirm that the thin ice areas discovered by the expedition team were no locally restricted phenomenon: "A large part of the North-East Passage was characterised by surprisingly thin ice at the end of the winter", says expedition member Thomas Krumpen.
Sea ice thickness in the Laptev Sea at the end of the previous winter (April 20, 2012): The sea ice thickness was determined with the SMOS satellite that can resolve ice thicknesses up to 50 centimetres. The black line shows the mission's flight track. SMOS-data: Lars Kaleschke, KlimaCampus, Hamburg University
June 2012 : 2012, European year of water
To understand and identify this fundamental resource at global scale, space means are an invaluable help. Seen from Space, the Earth is really the blue planet. In fact, it is covered by water for more than 70%. Some satellites mission is to quantify and monitor the water, first environmental resource of major importance.
From soil moiture to irrigation needs
Interview of Yann Kerr, principal investigator for SMOS mission (in French)
Why track soil moiture and ocean salinity with SMOS?
Answers by Juliette Lambin and Yann Kerr (in French)
Read the complete news on CNES web site (in French)
March, 2012 : Drought over Western Europe
Western Europe is experiencing a noticeable deficit of water. England has already considered the situation as serious. SMOS allows us to get the soil moisture content of the top layer of the surface, but this drought is well observed. It concerns not only the UK but also Spain as can be seen in the following figure.
Soil moisture as derived from SMOS in February 2010, 2011 and 2012 (average values), for ascending overpasses (corresponding to measurements in the morning at ~ 6am, solar local time). Note that February 2010 was still the beginning of the mission and the commissioning phase, which explains some lack in the retrievals.
Read the complete news on CESBIO's website
Read also an article on ESA's website
Another article on this subject on Libération science blog (in French)
February 2012 : SMOS water mission turns hurricane hunter
ESA's Earth Explorers SMOS has again shown how it is surpassing expectations. Designed to map soil moisture and ocean salinity, the versatile SMOS satellite has demonstrated that it can also offer unique information to improve hurricane forecasts.
The SMOS sensor works in the 'L-band', at frequencies around 1.4 GHz, which also allows surface wind speeds over oceans to be derived, even in cloudy and rainy conditions.
When winds reach gale force over oceans, breaking waves and whitecaps affect the microwave radiation being emitted from the surface. This means that when a storm builds, changes in the emitted radiation can be linked directly to the strength of the wind over the sea.
In addition, the radiation detected by SMOS is far less disturbed by rain and atmospheric effects than higher microwave frequencies.
This means that SMOS has the potential to improve accuracy for forecasting the strength of tropical cyclones.
Detected by SMOS: sea-surface winds (m/s) resulting from Hurricane Igor in the North Atlantic on 11-19 September 2010. The black curve tracks the eye of the hurricane, courtesy NOAA International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Credits: Ifremer-N. Reul
2011 Events
December 2011 : SMOS detects freezing soil as winter takes grip
ESA's SMOS satellite is designed to observe soil moisture and ocean salinity, but this innovative mission is showing that it can also offer new insight into Earth's carbon and methane cycles by mapping soil as it freezes and thaws.
While SMOS provides essential information for understanding the water cycle, weather and climate system, scientists from the Finnish Meteorological Institute have recently developed a method of using the data to detect and map frozen soils. Not only can the extent be mapped, but also the depth of the frozen layer can be inferred.
From the animation, which shows northern Finland, the difference between 26 November 2010 and 26 November 2011 can be seen clearly. This year's late frost is associated with Europe's mild weather this autumn. Credits: Finnish Meteorological Institute
December 2011 : SMOS maps Europe's dry autumn soils
Dry soil resulting from Europe's exceptionally warm and dry autumn is being monitored by ESA's SMOS water mission. The images here show the stark comparison between soil moisture in November 2010 and November 2011.
Much drier soils can be seen across Europe this November compared to the same time last year. These images were created using data from ESA's SMOS mission. The yellow colours indicate drier and the blue show wetter soils. Credits: CESBIO/F. Cabot/Y. Kerr
November 2011 : The presentations of SMOS Science Workshop held in Arles 27-29 September 2011 are now available at ESA's website
September 27-29, 2011 : SMOS Science workshop CNES/ESA in Arles, France
The French Space Agency (CNES) and the European Space Agency are jointly organising a first workshop on 27-29 September in Arles, France, to provide scientists and data users with the opportunity to present results from their research activities exploiting data from the SMOS mission. The workshop will address both SMOS calibration and validation activities as well as research activities.
Further details can be found on www.smos2011.org|
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May 10, 2011 : Drought shaping up
Southern UK and France appear to be sharing the same concern regarding water. Soil moisture maps from SMOS clearly shows very dry conditions in most part of England and Wales.
Because of lower than normal precipitation last winter and early spring, soil water in France is actually going low. This is fully documented by Meteo France and is also witnessed by SMOS.
A simple comparison of soil moisture monthly averages for March and April is shown on the following figures. Obviously soil moistures for both months is lower in 2011 than what it was in 2010. This situation is even more visible in april, in most regions except Normandy and central Britany.
Drought observed by SMOS between 2010 and 2011. Source: CESBIO
February 1, 2011 : Australia and Yasi... New floods? ... what is SMOS seeing to help forecasts?
Andrew Moy drew our attention last Sunday on a hurricane getting ready to hit Queensland: YASI.
So we rushed onto the SMOS data to see what are the surface conditions. Actually the soil had dried down fairly well during the last 15 days or so, but as from yesterday we see a moistening around MacKay.
SMOS Data for January 29 to 31 2011
There are some pretty wet soils and it is nowhere really dry...
According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorolgy forecast, Yasi should strike a bit further to the north, almost where the soils are the dryest...
Bureau of Meteorolgy forecasts
Depending on the rainfall amount (we are no specialists of this) and considering the surface is somewhat humid to rather wet, some floodings may re occur.
We do hope the Bureau of Meteorolgy and other organisations in Queensland and Australia will be able to make sense and good use of this information to help people down under.
2010 Events
November 17, 2010 : One year ago, SMOS was switched on and delivered its first "image"
After celebrating its first year in orbit, SMOS spacecraft launched on 2/11/2009 from Plesetzk, continues to observe with more and more precision some componants of our planet's water cycle. The instrument operates beyond all expectations and this quality has achieved for the first time a global map of sea surface salinity and soil moisture in August 2010. Thus that are three major "firsts" that we celebrate today, an interferometer in orbit, global fields of superficial soil moisture and sea surface salinity!
First ever global map of sea surface salinity and Soil moisture all produced with the same instrument: SMOS.
Sure, there still are progress to realise with the increase of our understanding of these new data. It is the reason why CNES set up a post-production center, the CADTS, to process SMOS data with an operational componant which has just been inaugurated in Brest on 15/10/2010 and two research centers (LOS in Brest and CESBIO in Toulouse), focal points where the French community will be able to work on the improvement of level 3 and 4 products, and to develop new applications based on SMOS data.
October 2010 : SMOS water mission winning battle with interference in Spain
The results from ESA's SMOS satellite have been impressive, but the mission has been bugged by patches of interference from radar, TV and radio transmissions in what should be a protected band. Painstaking efforts to reduce these unwanted signals are now paying off.
On the left, contaminated SMOS data.
On the Right, data almost free of radio interference.
Read the complete news on ESA website.
September 30, 2010 : Inauguration of SMOS satellite CATDS in Brest
The CATDS (Centre Aval de Traitement des Données SMOS), located at IFREMER Center in Brest, analyses two key parameters to monitor the climate: the soil moisture and the ocean surface salinity. The scientists then prepare these data that they distribute to scientist all over the world, that enable to study the water cycle to improve our understanding of the climate change and to improve the meteorological forecasts.
Read the complete press release on CNES website (in French).
August 30, 2010 : SMOS detects and monitors the Amazon and Orinoco freshwater plumes
On an annual basis, the Amazon river discharges ~15% of the total freshwater input to the ocean. Between July and October, more than half the Amazon plume water is carried eastward by the North Brazil current. Large warm and fresh core rings that can exceed 400 km in diameter can then detach from the retroflection and move northwestward toward the Caribbean. Anticipated strong gradient of salinity in this region are therefore expected and have been unambiguously detected in the measured SMOS brightness temperatures.
Left panels: 7-day averaged SMOS salinity maps. Right: 7-day averaged merged GSM Meris/Modis CDOM optical measurements. Top mid-July. Bottom: mid-August 2010. As detected, both Amazon and Orinoco Plume evolution are well captured for these two weeks.
Read the complete news on CESBIO website.
August 13, 2010 : Floods in Pakistan as detected by SMOS
Since the end of July Northern Pakistan has been affected by the worst floods in living memory. The magnitude of the disaster is so important that flooding can be followed by SMOS. The following pictures show Pakistan soil moisture map at previous and post disaster.
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Read the complete news on CESBIO website.
March 30, 2010 : SMOS satellite bothered by human radio emissions
This electromagnetic pollution map was realised thanks to SMOS observations. The areas where the interference emission is high and permanent are shown in red, those where the pollution is intermittent are in yellow and green. Image credit: CESBIO
Launched in November 2009, SMOS satellite transmit his first data on ocean salinity and soils moisture of our planet. But under the scrutiny of its main instrument, the MIRAS radiometer, an intense electromagnetic pollution of human origine appeared...Read the complete article (in french).
End of January, 2010 : Successful end of in-flight commissioning review for SMOS system
This joint ESA/CNES review confirmed the excellent behaviour of the Satellite and the operation Ground System during the LEOP phase (Launch and Early Operation Phase) and this in-flight commissioning. All the operations have been realised as expected with in particular few ergol used during the final orbit acquisition thanks to an accurate orbit injection by the launcher (+600m). The review authorized the passage in operational phase for SMOS System/Satellite. The mission's cal/val activities under ESA responsibility will continue until May 2010.
The PIs also presented the first results of the mission's calibration and validation activities during the review which shown very promising performances even with a few CU anomalies (latch up) which disturbed the nominal progression of the activities. The main identified problem for the mission is the presence of numerous electromagnetic disturbance sources on the ground which emit in SMOS protected band. Data are under consolidation to be submitted through the ESA and the CNES frequency bureau to the authorities in charge of the frequencies regulation.
