jf_web – astronomyontap2024

Earth From Orbit: Space Based Monitoring of a Planet in Flux

Jake E. Ferguson

UW Dept. Geography + Environmental Management

UW Water Institute

<ja-fe.github.io>

Lhù’ààn Mân’

or: a somewhat distressing case study

Largest lake in the Yukon: 400 km²
Hydrologically, ecologically, economically, and culturally vital
In 2016, water level dropped 2m

Lhù’ààn Mân’

or: a somewhat distressing case study

Largest lake in the Yukon: 400 km²
Hydrologically, ecologically, economically, and culturally vital
In 2016, water level dropped 2m

How many lakes are in Canada?

900,000

How many lakes are in Canada?

62% of world total count

~~900,000~~

How many lakes are in Canada?

Most of ’em

~~62% of world total count~~

~~900,000~~

How many lakes are in Canada?

A common problem on planet Earth

Millions of km² to observe (Monthly! Weekly! Daily if you don’t mind!)
- Vegetation [species, biomass, plant moisture levels]
- Soil [moisture]
- Water bodies [ice presense, ice type]
- All current snow cover [density, water equivalent]
How do we monitor our planet?

A common problem on planet Earth

Millions of km² to observe (weekly! daily!)
- Vegetation [species, biomass, plant moisture levels]
- Soil [moisture]
- Water bodies [ice presense, ice type]
- All current snow cover [density, water equivalent]
How do we monitor our planet?
Satellites

Revisiting Kluane

Let’s image the surface using a ~~glorified camera~~ advanced optical sensor!

Revisiting Kluane

Let’s image the surface using a ~~glorified camera~~ advanced optical sensor!
Pro: Works basically exactly how you think it does

Revisiting Kluane

Let’s image the surface using a ~~glorified camera~~ advanced optical sensor!
Pro: Works basically exactly how you think it does
Con: So do clouds
Con: Cameras are only skin deep

Inspiration from Venus

90s: Magellan probe is tasked with imaging Venus
Problem: Venus is completely covered in sulfiric acid clouds
Solution: Radio waves [RADAR]

Irradiating Venus (just a little, as a treat)

Tracking the original AMZN

Po River, 2019

Return to Kluane

We can cut right through the clouds using Canada’s own RADARSAT Constellation Mission!

Where does that leave us?

Acknowledgement and final note

This work uses satellite imagery of land held and stewarded by the Kluane First Nation, and imagery of fieldwork conducted on Kluane lake which would simply not have been either safe or possible without the magnanimous help and consultation of the community there.

<ja-fe.github.io>