Instrument data from NASA's newest SeaWinds scatterometer instrument aboard Japan's Midori-2 satellite is now available to the public. The data, which has been fully calibrated and validated by the Ocean Vector Winds Science Team, delivers highly accurate, near-surface ocean wind speeds and direction, sea ice extent and properties of Earth's land surfaces covering 90% of the Earth's surface every day.
To access the new instrument data, visit http://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/seawinds/.
SeaWinds on Midori-2 now operates simultaneously with its identical instrument counterpart aboard NASA's Quick Scatterometer satellite (QuikScat). This tandem mission marks the first time two identical scatterometer instruments have operated in coordinated orbits. Together, the two SeaWinds instruments are providing frequent looks over the same regions, allowing scientists to explore changes in wind patterns that occur over short timescales.
Data from the twin instruments will contribute to worldwide research on global climate change and will build upon a long-term data set that researchers need to conduct climate studies on decadal scales. The new SeaWinds on Midori-2 data stream complements and extends those generated by QuikScat since 1999, so that NASA's goal of long-term vector wind data will be nearly realized when the SeaWinds on Midori-2 mission is completed.
The tandem orbiting SeaWinds instruments will benefit weather forecasters around the world by providing more frequent updates for computerized weather models, aiding in storm identification and tracking. The more frequent updates make it possible to detect tropical cyclone development much earlier than ever before. In fact, early science results show that the addition of the SeaWinds on Midori-2 data set reveals up to twice the number of cyclonic wind patterns detected, or forecast, without it.
Climatologists, meteorologists and oceanographers can now use data from SeaWinds on Midori-2 to understand and predict severe weather patterns, climate change and global weather abnormalities like El Nino. Experts expect data to improve global and regional weather forecasts, ship routing and marine hazard avoidance, measurements of sea ice extend and tracking of icebergs.
The international collaboration between the Japanese and U.S. space agencies reduces costs and produces higher quality data for both agencies. In addition, it helps distribute the data to a broader science community, magnifying the data's benefit and impact worldwide. Other synergistic instruments aboard Japan's Midori-2, such as Japan's Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR), will produce data in the future that will further enhance the SeaWinds scatterometer's data.
SeaWinds on Midori-2 is managed for NASA's Office of Earth Science, Washington, D.C., by JPL, which developed the instrument and performs instrument operations and science data processing, archiving and distribution. NASA also provides U.S. ground system support. The National Space Development Agency of Japan provided the Midori-2 spacecraft, H-IIA launch vehicle, mission operations and the Japanese ground network. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides near-real-time data processing and distribution
