The Aquarius/SAC-D Salinity Data Vizualization

Eric Lindstrom

Program Scientist
NASA Headquarters

Dr. Lindstrom has degrees in Earth and Planetary Sciences and Physical Oceanography from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Washington, respectively. His scientific interests include circulation of the ocean and air-sea exchange processes. Read more about Dr. Lindstrom here.

Webinar Clip
Once an earth-observing satellite is launched into orbit, it immediately begins collecting data. In this clip, Dr. Lindstorm explains to viewers how the Aquarius/SAC-D observatory collects ocean salinity data from space and how that is transformed into something we can understand and visualize. He also briefly discusses some of the difficulties associated with collecting data from outer-space.

Full webinar: From Sailing Ships to Satellites: Studying Salinity Through a Sensor Web

Click here for a transcript of this clip (PDF, 36.1 KB).

Resources
Applicable Science Standards
  • Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Planning and Carrying Out Investigations. Scientists and engineers plan and carry out investigations in the field or laboratory, working collaboratively as well as individually. Their investigations are systematic and require clarifying what counts as data and identifying variables or parameters.