What is the role of weather satellites in monitoring climate

Weather satellites are essential for understanding climate change as they capture critical data about Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces. They monitor temperature variations, cloud formations, and precipitation patterns, which are vital for climate models and forecasts.

Key Facts

• Weather satellites can provide data on global temperatures with an accuracy of ±0.5°C.
• As of 2023, over 100 operational satellites are focused on Earth observation.
• Satellites like NOAA's GOES and ESA's Sentinel series are key players in climate monitoring.
• The first weather satellite, TIROS-1, was launched in 1960, revolutionizing meteorology.

Examples or Use Cases

• Satellites track hurricanes and provide early warnings, potentially saving lives.
• They observe melting polar ice caps, contributing to rising sea levels, a significant climate change indicator.

FAQs

• How do satellites measure temperature? Satellites use radiometers that detect thermal radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface to measure temperatures.
• What data do weather satellites collect? They collect data on temperature, humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover, among others.