NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) have revealed some of the first glimpses of water on Earth's surface captured by the international Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission.
The images showed ocean currents like the Gulf Stream in unprecedented detail and freshwater features such as lakes, rivers, and other water bodies down to about 300 feet (100 meters) wide.
Measuring All Bodies of Water
One of the most thorough surveys of the surface water on our globe will be provided by SWOT, which is planned to measure the elevation of almost all bodies of water.
Understanding how the ocean affects climate change and the water cycle will be possible thanks to the satellite's measurements of freshwater bodies of water and the ocean.
Helping communities better manage their water supplies and prepare for floods and other disasters will show how a warming planet affects water storage in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, SWOT's advanced imagery will empower researchers and advance how fresh water is managed and the effects of sea level rise across the globe.
"Water is one of our planet's most important resources - and it's proven to be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. SWOT will provide critical information that communities can use to prepare for the impacts of a warming climate," he added.
On January 21, SWOT measured the sea level in a section of the Gulf Stream off the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia. The measurements were recorded, and the resulting data were mapped as two broad, colored strips that were a combined 75 miles (120 kilometers) large.
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Sea Levels
Sea levels that are higher than usual are shown in the photos as red and orange regions, whereas lower average sea levels are shown as various hues of blue.
KaRIn's two wide-swath strips observe sea level as a two-dimensional map in contrast to conventional altimeters, which can only see a narrow beam of Earth directly beneath them.
CNES Chairman and CEO Philippe Baptiste said, "Our ability to measure freshwater resources on a global scale through satellite data is of prime importance as we seek to adjust to a changing climate. In this respect, the first views from SWOT give us a clearer picture than ever before."
"These data will prove highly valuable for the international scientific community in the fields of hydrology, oceanography, and coastal studies."
According to Parag Vaze, SWOT project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the KaRIn instrument of SWOT took years to create and build.
The initial inland image is a compelling example of how SWOT can measure specifics of smaller lakes, ponds, and rivers in ways that satellites previously could not.
Overall, the SWOT mission will have significant implications for how we understand and manage water resources globally, providing valuable insights into the effects of climate change and helping communities prepare for its impacts.
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