NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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In 1997, NASA's SeaWiFS instrument settled into Earth’s orbit and took its first measurements of ocean color. A decade later, SeaWiFS data has proved instrumental in countless applications, helping researchers paint a picture of a changing climate.

SeaWiFS, a spaced-based sensor, was originally designed to collect routine measurements of ocean color needed by researchers who are working to understand the interplay between the ocean and atmosphere, as well as the ocean's role in the global carbon cycle. But data from SeaWiFS turned out to exceed researchers' expectations, proving useful for monitoring the impacts of climate change, setting pollution standards, and sustaining coastal economies that depend on tourism and fisheries.

SeaWiFS' tenth anniversary this month offers a platform for scientists to recall the program's achievements and also to discuss the direction such research will head in the future.

Event Information

The NASA Science Update will take place on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 2 p.m. EDT from the Science TV Studio at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. NASA TV will carry the conference live with question-and-answer capability from participating NASA centers. Media interested in asking questions via telephone during the briefing should call Sarah DeWitt at 301-286-0535 to receive the call-in number and password. The NASA Science Update will be carried live on the Web at + NASA TV and on the NASA Television Public Services Channel (#101) and the Media Services Channel (#103). NASA Television is carried on an MPEG-2 digital signal accessed via satellite AMC-6, at 72 degrees west longitude, transponder 17C, 4040 MHz, vertical polarization. A Digital Video Broadcast compliant Integrated Receiver Decoder is required for reception. For NASA TV information and schedules on the Web, visit: + NASA TV For more information contact: Tabatha Thompson NASA Headquarters Washington, DC Phone: 202/358-3895 Sarah DeWitt NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland Phone: 301/286-0535

Michael Starobin
Goddard Space Flight Center