Aquarius Makes First Ocean Salt Measurements

[nofurylike]

Sep 02, 2011

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Aquari...s_999.html

NASA's Aquarius instrument has successfully completed its commissioning phase and is now "tasting" the saltiness of Earth's ocean surface, making measurements from its perch in near-polar orbit.

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"Scientists from around the world are ready and waiting to study this important new satellite measurement for ocean and climate research."

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Aquarius will make NASA's first space observations of the salinity, or concentration of salt, at the ocean surface, a key variable in satellite studies of Earth. Variations in salinity influence the ocean's deep circulation, outline the path freshwater takes around our planet and help drive Earth's climate.

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The Aquarius science team will spend the coming months analyzing and calibrating the measurements and releasing preliminary data.

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