Science
NASA seeks public cloud photos to assist satellite research
The Hill reports that NASA is asking volunteers to photograph daytime skies to validate orbital data.
The short version
- NASA is inviting the public to photograph clouds starting September 15 to assist its PACE satellite mission.[The Hill]
- Volunteers use the Globe Observer app to capture daylight sky photos timed with satellite flyovers.[The Hill]
- The ground-level photos aim to add detail since satellite image pixels cover roughly 0.75 miles across.[The Hill]
- The citizen-science initiative concludes on October 15, with researchers aiming to enhance weather and algae forecasts.[The Hill]
Key facts
- NASA is inviting volunteers to take cloud photos from September 15 through October 15 to aid the PACE satellite mission.[The Hill]
- Each pixel in PACE imagery spans about 0.75 miles, prompting researchers to seek ground imagery to fill data gaps.[The Hill]
- Participants must use the Globe Observer app to set satellite alerts and submit daytime cloud photographs.[The Hill]
- Scientists expect ground observations to assist in tracking hurricanes and toxic algae blooms.[The Hill]
What remains uncertain
- The extent to which ground-level volunteer photographs will successfully improve satellite calibration remains unverified.[The Hill]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.