An Introduction to Satellite-Based Applications and Research for Understanding Climate Change - Satellite-based Applications on Climate Change - page 3

Administration (ESSA) Technical Report, from the National Environmental Satel-
lite Center (NESC) on the Application of Meteorological Satellite Data in Analysis
and Forecasting (Anderson et al. 1969 ). In the introductory chapter, the wisdom of
the early satellite scientist pioneers was captured in the following quotes on page 1:
Since the advent of the operational ESSA weather satellites in 1966, routine use of satellite
cloud photographs has increased steadily. Meteorologists worldwide now depend on these
data to supplement conventional observations and rely completely on satellite cloud
observations where other data are not available. The problem of “sparse data” areas has
been greatly alleviated since weather satellites now provide analysts with a timely view of
the cloud conditions over all parts of the earth. Even so, the advantages of the satellite data
are not limited to isolated areas but also provide additional intelligence over areas where the
conventional observations are dense.
If the maximum value of these data is to be realized, correct interpretation of the cloud
photographs is essential. This technical report furnishes guidance in the interpretation of
satellite cloud photographs and presents the latest relationships as determined by research
and study in this field.
The ESSA Technical Report authors further comment:
Future research with improved satellite data will undoubtedly result in the determination of
new concepts and a better understanding of the relationships between the satellite data and the
dynamics of the atmosphere.
The pioneers of environmental satellite applications had a vision for the use of
satellite data and understood the value of training and educating others in the use of
the new satellite data. By training others, the value of the satellite data and its benefits
to society would be recognized. Twenty-five years after the Anderson publication,
similar issues of training and educating users as well as gaining an improved
understanding of the satellite measurements were identified by Stanley Kidder and
Thomas VonderHaar in their 1995 topic entitled Satellite Meteorology: An Introduc-
tion (Kidder and Vonder Haar 1995 ). In the preface to their topic, they write:
We place special emphasis on the physical understanding of measurements from space
because it is this understanding which will allow both the useful application of current
techniques and the development of future techniques. We also tend to emphasize operational
techniques over experimental techniques. We do this in the belief that most readers will not do
their own information or parameter retrievals from raw satellite data; they will use parameters
retrieved by others. Most often these parameters will be retrieved using operational, near real-
time methods. A thorough exploration of the operational techniques is therefore important.
Note the shift in approach from the first scientists who were involved in all aspects
of the satellite program and its development - a team of scientific jack-of-all-trades.
The early scientists helped in the instrument design, worked closely with the instru-
ment engineers, and performed their own data analysis which led to developing
“operational products” for the community of users. From their scientific analyses,
the scientists taught others how to use the information to monitor the Earth to make
better weather forecasts. As the use of satellites for monitoring the Earth became more
routine, a core group of scientific specialists was developed who also train users on
the benefits of the routine operational products. By 1995, the field of satellite meteo-
rology had grown dramatically, and the value of satellite data had proven its worth to
multiple communities eager to take advantage of the satellite measurements and the
information derived from them.