Satellite Meteorology

For Grade 7-12

9

Monitoring the Global Environment

Monitoring Biomass Burning

Scientists use GOES data to monitor fires and smoke associated with wildfires, prescribed burns, deforestation and other agricultural applications, collectively referred to as biomass burning. Biomass burning is a distinct biogeochemical process that plays a major role in the global carbon cycle impacting both regional and global climate change. Biomass burning releases significant amounts of trace gases and particulates into the atmosphere.

Below is a visible satellite image showing smoke from a forest fire. Smoke reflects solar radiation and is easy to track by a series of goestationary satellite images during the daytime.

Low orbiting polar satellites (POES) offer striking snapshots images of fires but can't track smoke plumes like GOES can. Why?

This Satellite Meteorology Course was developed at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) located within the Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) at the UW-Madison. Funding was provided by the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) and NOAA/NESDIS.