The missing data on global climate change

Journal Article · Sun Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1989 · Issues in Science and Technology; (USA)

OSTI ID:5931097

Hansen, J; Rossow, W; Fung, I ^[1]

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1. NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York, NY (USA)

Much of the data we need to characterize changes in the Earth's climate are being acquired by operational satellites and ground stations. Additional parameters need to be measured. The necessary data-gathering instruments are to be included in the Earth Observing Systems, a set of large polar-orbiting platforms to be launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration by the end of this decade. Any analysis of climate must take into account climate forcings (anthropogenic or externally imposed changes), climate feedbacks which can be either positive or negative, and climate diagnostics. Existing and proposed sources for acquiring the data are listed in Table 1. A system utilizing three instruments on two satellites is proposed. These small satellites would complement the large polar platforms and speed up the acquisition of data. The three proposed instruments would include an upper atmosphere aerosol and gas monitor, atropospheric aerosol and cloud monitor, and an earth radiation budget monitor at the top of the atmosphere. Preliminary cost estimates and advantages of this system are given.

• OSTI ID: 5931097
• Journal Information: Issues in Science and Technology; (USA), Journal Name: Issues in Science and Technology; (USA) Vol. 7:1; ISSN 0748-5492; ISSN ISTEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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