Ocean Altimetry Data: Operational Users and Applications

1. Ocean Altimetry Data: Operational Users and Applications Margaret SrinivasanAltimeter Applications LeadJet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyRobert LebenAssociate Research ProfessorColorado Center for Astrodynamics ResearchUniversity of Colorado Ocean Surface Topography Science Team Meeting 12 March 2007 Hobart, Australia

2. Acknowledgements Dr. Robert Leben, University of Colorado CCARVinca Rosmorduc, CLSAnnie Richardson, JPLJason, Project Management Ocean Surface Topography Science Team members

3. Getting the word out… Web sites; JPL Societal benefits, AVISO CCAR Applications, NRT NOAA’s TCHP NRL

4. “Operational Applications of Ocean Satellite Observations” Getting the word out… Conferences… SWT meetings AGU Oceans

5. University of Colorado CCAR Partnership Partnership: 12 years, NASA/JPL TP/Jason project fundingProducts: Near real-time, historical, Google Earth overlays (devel.)Data Sources: Jason, Envisat, GFO, TOPEX/Poseidon & ERS (historical), also SST & ocean colorDistribution: http://argo.colorado.edu/~realtime/welcome/ Users: Researchers, recreational boaters, offshore O&G,

6. CCAR - Google Earth Using Google Earth as a data browser Keyhole Markup Language (KML) Files generated on CCAR NRT web page http://argo.colorado.edu/~realtime/welcome/.

7. CCAR - Google Earth Sample SSH Image Viewed with Google Earth Keyhole Markup Language (KML) files generated for display on Google Earth (4 March 2007 image).

8. CCAR - Google Earth Global coverage, hurricane tracking CCAR SSH: March 4th, 2007

9. CCAR - Google Earth Hurricane track overlays SSH CCAR SSH with “hurricane live” positions of Tropical Cyclone George

10. CCAR - Google Earth GHRSST zoom

11. CCAR - Google Earth MODIS Ocean Color: 8-day composite zoom

12. Intra-Americas Sea Trials SSH forecast for 21 Jan 2007 from the ROMS modeling system, run in real-time on board the Royal Caribbean International vessel Explorer of the Seas. The black line shows the vessel’s cruise path. • University of California, Santa Cruz researchers assimilating CCAR SSH into a Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) for data assimilation and ocean prediction in the IAS, emphasizing the Caribbean Sea. • Partners: University of Miami, NOAA, NSF, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line • Cruise ship, Explorer of the Seas, equipped with oceanic and atmospheric sensors, for continuous observation along two cruise tracks that circumnavigate the Caribbean Sea once every two weeks. • Sea trials on board the Explorer during January and February 2007. • http://marine.rutgers.edu/po/ias

13. Hilton’s Realtime Navigator • Private company provides fishing charts and atlas • Large game fish (marlin, tuna) • Offshore Gulf of Mexico • Altimeter and ocean color data maps provided via CCAR • CCAR produces daily sea surface height and chlorophyll concentration maps (MODIS) for 10 regions in the Gulf and along the Atlantic Coast. CCAR SSH and ocean color overlay hosted by the Realtime-Navigator website.

14. Ocean color & SSH view ocean eddies • U. Hawaii at Manoa researcher studies the spatial and temporal abundances of nitrogen-fixing bacteria • May play an important role in open-ocean biogeochemical cycling • SSH + MODIS data (from CCAR) in region of enhanced chlorophyll north of Oahu • The feature was coincident with the decay of an anti-cyclonic eddy. • NRT and hind-cast data allowed tracking and sampling of the feature for both biogeochemical and biological parameters. • Progression of this and similar feature was tracked, providing compelling evidence for increased productivity due to these mesoscale features.  Hindcast SSH contours on chlorophyll concentration (MODIS). Note anticyclonic eddy with high chlorophyll concentration. A. Fong, U. Hawaii

15. Global climate events November 2006 El Niño February 2007 La Niña • Extended time series monitoring El Niño and La Niña • Media use images to explain weather and climate to the public

16. Ocean Racers & Ocean Researchers Volvo Ocean Race - Geostrophic currents and drift trajectories, G.Goni, NOAA Sydney to Hobart Yacht race, D. Griffin, CSIRO • Data distributed to the racing teams for information on (un)favorable currents or winds to optimize routes and navigate safely.

17. Book Cover Jr. Oceanographer Quiz Not just for data users… Board Game Book mark • Content and activities for formal and informal education • Unique concepts highlighted for education community as resource for teaching ocean awareness and ocean science; K-12, general public • NASA/JPL and CNES/AVISO collaborate to widen the reach of activities, become a resource for SWT participation. • Products and activities: web sites, Toolbox, online activities, posters, Argonautica, CDs, literature, school programs, exhibit materials, more…

18. Web resources • NASA/JPL Ocean Surface Topography from Space - Societal Benefits http://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/science/soc-benefits.html Monthly Features, Literature Database,… • AVISO Yellow Pages page - http://www.aviso.oceanobs.com/yp/ Yellow Pages, Image of the Month,…

19. Spread the word • Consider potential and operational applications of your research • Estimate the economic/practical effects/benefits • Get your story out into the public domain

20. Spread the word • Consider potential and operational applications of your research • Estimate the economic/practical effects/benefits • Get your story out into the public domain Thank you.