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Satellite data vital to UN climate findings

1 February 2007

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Time series climate data from the Antarctic Peninsula document an average temperature rise of 2.5 degrees Celsius over the last 50 years. And as can be seen in this animation, which incorporates data from the last decade by combining ERS SAR data with the first Envisat data, this warming seems to have changed the very face of the Peninsula's east coast - once completely ice-shelf bound.

Credits: H. Rott, University of Innsbruck

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HI-RES JPG (Size: 970 kb)

HI-RES TIFF (Size: 508 kb)

SCIAMACHY measurements of column-averaged mathane volume mixing ratio (VMR) in units of parts per billion. The measurements are averged over the time period of August through November 2003 on a 1º x 1º horizontal grid. At least five (and up to 150) measurements are taken for each grid cells. Only a few observations are available over the ocean, since low ocean reflectivity substantially reduces the quality of the retrieval, leading in turn to unable measurements (standard deviation of the fit residual over 0.5%) that are discarded. Occasionally sun glint or clouds at low altitudes allow measurements over the ocean.

Credits: University of Heidelberg/KNMI

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HI-RES JPG (Size: 857 kb)

Artist's impression of CryoSat in orbit.

Credits: ESA - P. CARRIL