News

NASA ARSET Training – Introductory Webinar: Spectral Indices for Land and Aquatic Applications

October 26, November 2, & November 9, 2023
11:00-12:00 (Session A) or 15:00-16:00 (Session B) EDT (UTC-4)

This training will provide an overview of spectral indices for land and aquatic applications. Specifically, this training will begin with an introduction to the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), along with its calculation, uses, and prominence in Earth science. In session two, we will expand to other spectral indices primarily used in aquatic ecosystems, such as the Normalized Difference Chlorophyll Index (NDCI), Normalized Difference Aquatic Vegetation Index (NDAVI), Floating Algal Index (FAI), and Normalized Difference Turbidity Index (NDTI) for aquatic applications. In the final session we will review additional land-based indices such as the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR). Not only will these sessions discuss the correct circumstances under which to use these indices, but participants will also take part in hands-on indices calculation over relevant study areas. Learners will work with data from Landsat 9 OLI-2, Sentinel-2 MSI and Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) for indices calculation. The training will also discuss pre-calculated index products such as Terra MODIS vegetation indices and HLS vegetation indices suite and upcoming data products available based on user feedback provided to the Satellite Needs Working Group. Use cases from recent Earth Action projects (such as NASA DEVELOP) will further highlight how spectral indices can provide essential information about land and aquatic environments.

Register

GEO AquaWatch co-chairing Satellite Tools session at GOMCON 2024

Are you a researcher developing satellite tools for assessment of water quality and/or submerged aquatic vegetation monitoring to inform decision-making? Consider submitting an abstract to the session Advances in Satellite Imagery as a Synergistic Tool for Scientific Research and Policy-making in Coastal Habitats in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance’s GOMCON 2024 in Tampa? It can be found under the Advances and Priorities for Data Management theme at this link: https://lnkd.in/e9aVPvsv

We welcome posters and talk abstract submissions from all educational and career levels. Selected scientific presentations will focus on the implementation of remote sensing imagery for informing operational decision making. Abstracts and registration are now being accepted – so please join us in Tampa next February 19-24, 2024!

Key Dates:

October 13, 2023 – Abstract Submission Deadline

Jan 12, 2024 – Early Bird Registration Ends

Feb 16, 2024 – Regular Registration Ends (onsite registration is still possible)

Session Chair: Megan Coffer, GST, NOAA and GEO AquaWatch

Co-chairs: Session co-chairs: Mark Finkbeiner (NOAA/GISP), Stacie Flood (South Florida Water Management District), Lawrence Handley (USGS), Catherine Lockwood (CNLWorld), Merrie Beth Neely (GST, NOAA and GEO AquaWatch)

Job Opportunity: US-based Senior Scientist Ocean Color, remote possible

Senior Scientist to Support Satellite Oceanography and Climatology and Ocean Color , College Park, MD 

This position is only open to qualified US citizens or those possessing a green card.  The position can be remote.

Global Science &Technology, Inc. (GST), a fast growing high technology firm is seeking mid to senior scientists for an exciting task at the Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division at NOAA’s Center for Satellite Technology Applications and Research (STAR). This task involves broad research and application activities for ocean color remote sensing including algorithm development, testing, evaluation, and validation. Selected candidates shall work with the project leader and other members in STAR and other NOAA offices for some (or all) of the specific tasks provided below. 

Duties:  

  • Review ocean color related documents to study and understand ocean color remote sensing theory, algorithm, and applications; an understanding of instrument calibration is highly desirable.  
  • Development and applications of satellite algorithms for water properties, e.g., algorithms for biological and biogeochemical properties, IOPs, PFT, etc.   
  • Become familiar and work with the ocean color data processing system for research and algorithm development, e.g., SeaDAS, MSL12, ADL, for the data processing, data displaying, and data analyses for various satellite data sets (e.g., VIIRS, MODIS, OLCI on Sentinel-3, SGLI on GCOM-C, MSI on Sentinel-2, LandSat, PACE, etc.). 
  • Work with other non-ocean color satellite sensor data (for atmosphere and land purposes), e.g., CALIPSO data, for developing and testing new approaches for remote sensing of ocean properties.  
  • Support the identification and resolution of shortfalls in existing open ocean algorithms for application to coastal regions and identification of new applications and products from satellite measurements specifically for coastal and inland water applications.  
  • Analyze simulated and real satellite data, as well as various in situ data from ocean color and atmosphere to evaluate and improve related algorithm performance. 
  • Contribute documentation related to the project and publish scientific papers. 

Education/Experience Required:  

  • Ph.D. in Oceanography, Physics, Computer Science, and/or other Physical Sciences and Engineering. Previous work experience is required.   
  • A strong record of publications in peer-reviewed journals. 
  • Strong working knowledge of remote sensing algorithms. Understanding of satellite instrument calibration will be a plus. 

2023 GEO AquaWatch Biennial Workshop

Water Quality Information for the Benefit of Society

Earth Observation of inland and coastal water quality: Toward water quality forecasting

13 November 2023, University of South Florida St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA 

a meeting of GEO AquaWatch in conjunction with the IOCS Meeting 

GEO AquaWatch invites you to a one-day workshop of the inland and coastal water quality community in conjunction with the ocean color science community.  

Our workshop theme is Toward Water Quality Forecasting. 

The use of Earth Observation (EO) for water quality applications is rapidly advancing. Inland and near-shore coastal environments deliver multiple ecosystem services that benefit society and yet only a fraction of global inland water systems are routinely monitored for water quality.  Observing inland and near-coastal water bodies makes remote sensing a valuable source of data on water quality and ecosystem condition at local and global scales. 

This workshop will be an opportunity for the community to respond to outcomes of the recent United Nations Water Conference and Water Action Agenda to reach sustainable development goals (SDG 6, and related).   Other global initiatives like the UN Ocean Decade, the Convention on Wetlands, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, all hinge on better water management coordination and decision-making to benefit society.

Water quality forecasting contributes to improved water management, climate studies, and achieving SDGs. Focusing our workshop on EO  multiscale forecasting of inland and near-shore coastal water conditions will be timely. Discussions of forecasting tools and observing opportunities provided by the upcoming PACE and GLIMR and Australian AquaWatch CSIRO missions are especially relevant in prioritising future GEO AquaWatch activities, and this will be a workshop outcome. 

GEO AquaWatch has a strong emphasis on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies and these principles will be encouraged in setting the programme. Meeting participants will be expected to be aware of and follow GEO AquaWatch’s new Code of Conduct during discussions.   

Meeting Logistics: When: 13 November 2023; 08:30-17:00 local time.   Fees: none  Travel Funds: none

2023 GEO AquaWatch DRAFT Programme_version 1.4

Where: University of South Florida St Petersburg Campus (22 miles and 23 minutes southwest of Tampa International Airport), location is likely to be the University Student Center (campus map)  NOTE: there are several local USF campuses, this one is in St. Petersburg! 

Abstract Submission  CLOSED, Poster abstract submissions may reopen in October 2023 for a short windowAbstract Guidelines. 

Registration Deadline: October 31, 2023

Registration Form 

Questions: email mbneely@geoaquawatch.org or visit: https://www.geoaquawatch.org/event/2023-geo-aquawatch-biennial-1-day-meeting-toward-water-quality-forecasting/

EOMAP job opportunities

Earth Observation is fascinating, and so are aquatic environments. If you share our fascination and love to dive deep into #geospatial topics, please apply now!

EOMAP crosslinks technological innovation with sustainable solutions for our planet. EOMAP’s focus is on satellite-based mapping and monitoring of coastal and inland waters.

Let’s pick a few things to share in advance:

🌐 Collaborate with colleagues from 10 countries with plenty of team spirit and a good sense of humour.
🌐 Experience a high level of trust in your capabilities.
🌐 Enjoy a pleasant work environment in Castle Seefeld south of Munich, with a huge park and lake Pilsensee in walking distance.
🎂 And finally the challenge: You need to bring a cake to the office, once you‘ve joined EOMAP. That’s part of our corporate culture.

Learn more about this #joboffer on our website: https://www.eomap.com