Glory and Aquarius - New Climate Sentinels

Explore the groundbreaking advancements in climate research with the launch of two new spacecraft in 2011. Learn about NASA's Glory mission, set to launch in February, which will study the sun's total solar irradiance and atmospheric aerosols, both critical elements of Earth's climate system. Discover how Glory's instruments will provide new insights into these complex processes and their effects on climate. Then, delve into the joint NASA and CONAE Aquarius/SAC-D mission, launching in June, which will measure variations in ocean surface salinity. Understand how this information will offer new perspectives on ocean circulation, the global water cycle, and climate. Hear from expert participants including Michael Mishchenko, Greg Kopp, Gary Lagerloef, and Yi Chao as they discuss the significance and potential impact of these missions on our understanding of Earth's climate system.