ESA Exhibits Composite Planet Earth Frieze For UNESCO
From its geostationary position at 36,000 km above the equator, the European weather satellite Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) views one quarter of the Earth's disc. The big picture is essential, as the weather is driven by air mass exchange processes between the Equator and the poles. Huge low pressure areas, as seen here in the Bay of Biscay, could not been detected so well without satellite imagery. Credits: EUMETSAT 2002 |
by Staff Writers
Paris France (SPX) Mar 19, 2006
ESA will unveil a frieze depicting the entire planet Earth, made up of one-millionth-scale satellite images, around UNESCO's headquarters building on March 29.
The "Belle Ile en Ciel," or "Beautiful Island in the Sky," exhibition, organized by UNESCO as part of its 60th birthday observation, will open in the presence of UNESCO Director General Ko�chiro Matsuura, ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Parc Europeen du Volcanisme 'Vulcania' President Jean Mallot.
The exhibit, supported by ESA, the Parc europeen Vulcania, PlanetObserver, Spot Image, RATP and L'Express, will give visitors a view of the Earth compiled from the PlanetObserver database, will feature some 60 charts graphically illustrating the main environmental challenges facing humanity at large, including managing the water cycle, biodiversity, pollution, deforestation, global warming, managing natural disasters, plus education, communication, dialogue among civilizations and the preservation of specific cultures.
The exhibit will run through Nov. 4.
Related Links
Planet Observer
ESA
Nighttime Satellite Sweeps Improve Europes Sea Temperature Map
Paris France (SPX) Mar 17, 2006
ESA scientists have switched their satellite surveys to nighttime to obtain better data on the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea and elsewhere in the waters surrounding Europe. The space agency's Earth scientists consider sea-surface temperature an important index for weather and ocean forecasting, and a key indicator of climate change.
|
|
|
