Press Release

USRA Scientists Leading the Next Generation of “Earth at Night” Research

By SpaceRef Editor
August 13, 2021
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USRA scientists on the Earth from House Institute (EfSI) proceed to steer the efforts in utilizing satellite tv for pc information for numerous purposes and shaping the agenda for the long run.

NASA just lately chosen three proposals by scientists from Earth from House Institute (EfSI) of Universities House Analysis Affiliation (USRA) in response to ROSES solicitation. The primary one is targeted on utilizing satellite tv for pc observations to watch electrification throughout the creating world. The second will assist and additional develop future variations of the Black Marble household of information merchandise for examine of Earth primarily based on night-time observations. And the third is targeted on main and coordinating analysis actions of NASA Land Self-discipline science groups for the Terra, Aqua, Suomi-NPP and JPSS Satellites.

“The continuation of Black Marble analysis and evaluation will guarantee well-calibrated, multi-year, and multi-satellite nighttime lights information and merchandise to handle pressing scientific challenges related to local weather, disasters, and vitality techniques. We’re delighted that NASA has chosen USRA scientists to assist the company in creating information merchandise and conduct analysis wanted to answer these challenges,” famous Dr. Ghassem R. Asrar, USRA Senior Vice President for Science.

Dr. Eleanor Stokes, a senior Scientist at EfSI/USRA will lead the electrification undertaking that can depend on a nighttime satellite tv for pc dataset referred to as the Black Marble Product Suite, in partnership with scientists from Iowa State College and College of Maryland. “Black Marble is exclusive in its capability to make clear human dimensions of planetary change, like rising electrification,” says Stokes. EfSI will proceed to keep up and develop future variations of the Black Marble merchandise supporting analysis actions by Dr. Zhuosen Wang of the College of Maryland.

Dr. Miguel Román, Founding Director of EfSI, will lead NASA’s Land science self-discipline coordination undertaking for the Terra, Aqua, Suomi-NPP, and JPSS satellites. “The work on the Terra, Aqua, Soumi-NPP and JPSS Satellites is a testomony to the advanced scientific points that EfSI tackles to assist advance NASA’s Earth science analysis whereas informing selections for sustainable growth,” acknowledged Dr. Román.

USRA/EfSI will likely be collaborating with the World Sources Institute in selling and utilizing the ensuing datasets about electrical energy entry and reliability for reaching reasonably priced, dependable, and sustainable vitality for all. This effort is important to producing steady and high-quality time collection nighttime mild information information with decreased gaps and uncertainties to raised serve the very various vary of person communities.

The scientific communities that use Black Marble is broad, encompassing researchers finding out urbanization, financial growth, disasters, astronomy, mild air pollution, ecosystem well being, epidemiology, fires, fisheries, and greenhouse gases. Recognizing the affect and breadth of those efforts, NASA is investing in constructing and supporting these communities nicely into the long run via EfSI, thus revolutionizing international sustainability science through house expertise. “That is within the spirit of U.S. House Act for serving humanity, a management function that NASA and its companions have fulfilled for the reason that daybreak of House Age,” acknowledged Dr. Asrar.

About USRA

Based in 1969, below the auspices of the Nationwide Academy of Sciences on the request of the U.S. Authorities, the Universities House Analysis Affiliation (USRA) is a nonprofit company chartered to advance space-related science, expertise, and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and services, and conducts different main analysis and academic packages, below Federal funding. USRA engages the college group and employs in-house scientific management, modern analysis and growth, and undertaking administration experience. Extra details about USRA is offered at www.usra.edu.

PR Contact:

Suraiya Farukhi, Ph.D.

sfarukhi@usra.edu 

443-812-6945

SpaceRef staff editor.