Latest news with #CopernicusSentinel-2
Scientific American
8 hours ago
- Science
- Scientific American
See Earth's Forests as Never Before in Biomass Satellite's First Images
Just two months after its launch, the European Space Agency (ESA) Biomass satellite is already showing us Earth in a whole new light. On June 23 the ESA released the mission's first images, which showcase its unique capability to peer through dense vegetation to study our planet's forests and other ecosystems as never before. Using cutting-edge radar technologies, the satellite is on a five-year mission to survey forests across sprawling swaths of the globe, looking beneath their canopies to accurately assess their total woody biomass—trunks, limbs, stems, and so on. By measuring all that material and how it's changing over time, scientists can better monitor deforestation trends and track the flow of carbon through ecosystems to enhance our understanding of Earth's rapidly changing climate. The satellite is still in its six-month-long commissioning phase, but now we have a taste of what is to come. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. The image shown above displays a section of the Amazon rainforest in Bolivia with the Beni River meandering through. Each color represents a different ecosystem feature: black for rivers and lakes, pink for wetlands and floodplains, green for rainforests, and purple for grasslands. The World Resources Institute's Global Forest Review ranks Bolivia among the top 10 countries with the most tree cover loss between 2001 and 2024. During this time, Bolivia lost the equivalent of 15 percent of the total forest cover it had in 2000, in large part to encroaching agricultural plots and cattle ranches. These images and their associated data can help researchers keep careful tabs on deforestation and its impacts on local and global ecosystems. The image below highlights the satellite's power by comparing its observations with those gathered by a Biomass predecessor, ESA's Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, in the same location. The new pictures represent a significant increase in detail that is primarily owed to Biomass's main instrument: the P-band synthetic aperture radar. P-band radio waves are longer than others more typically used in such radar systems, allowing them to pass through layers of foliage, soil and other materials to create accurate three-dimensional maps of otherwise hidden landscape features. Because of engineering challenges as well as diplomatic ones, this is the first time P-band radar has been used in orbital Earth observations—the P-band radio frequency is typically reserved for American and European missile-detection systems. (In order to ensure it will not interfere with the U.S. Department of Defense's space-object-tracking radar systems, Biomass will not observe North and Central America, Europe, and some Arctic regions.) The next three images below demonstrate just how deep the P-band radar can go. They display topographic features of rainforests in Indonesia, the Sahara Desert in Chad and the Transantarctic Mountains adjacent to the Nimrod Glacier in Antarctica, respectively. Pictured above is Indonesia's mountainous Halmahera rainforest, featuring rugged topography shaped by outpourings from the numerous volcanoes that pockmark the region. One of them, the active volcano Mount Gamalama, can be seen off the coast on the far left. Though the main goal of the Biomass satellite is to catalog forests, it will also study other environments. Above is a portion of the Tibesti Mountains situated in the central Sahara Desert in northern Chad. Able to map features as far as five meters beneath dry sand, the satellite can reveal ancient geologic details, such as dried-up riverbeds and lakes, now buried below the Sahara's ever-shifting dunes. These data can help researchers understand past ecological changes in such regions—and could even help unearth hidden pockets of precious groundwater in arid, remote deserts. Biomass can also penetrate into ice, pictured below, and collect information about ice-sheet structure and movement that could be used to better understand what controls the slide of glaciers into the sea. Below, another image features jungle-covered terrain in Gabon and prominently displays the Ivindo River, which nurtures the surrounding rainforest. The predominantly green color of the image indicates dense vegetal growth—a sign of a healthy rainforest. The final image shown here, below, is the very first one the satellite produced. It displays a portion of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, highlighting the topography of the region alongside features such as rivers, wetlands and grasslands. Only a small portion of the vast Amazon has been studied in-depth and on the ground. This is largely because of its scale and the associated difficulty of reaching some of its most remote regions. Innovative satellites like Biomass could greatly increase our knowledge of these overlooked places and similar ones around the world, helping researchers better understand—and protect—our changing planet and its myriad beautiful ecosystems.
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Satellite image shows wildfires ravaging holiday island as tourists evacuated
A startling satellite image reveals the devastating wildfires engulfing a Greek holiday island. The European Space Agency's (ESA) Copernicus Sentinel-2 captured the image on Monday (23 June), showing a thick plume of smoke billowing from the island and drifting south-west across the Aegean Sea. The government declared a state of emergency following the outbreak of the fires on Sunday, leading to several villages being evacuated. As of Tuesday, the wildfires are still raging, with hundreds of firefighters, aided by aircraft, tackling multiple blazes. The fires have caused significant disruption, including power cuts, water shortages, and property damage. Indeed, as of 24 June 2025, wildfires continue to blaze on the Greek island of Chios. Hundreds of firefighters, backed by aircraft, have been battling numerous wildfires in various parts of the island for the third day running. What Qatar airspace closure means for holidays as airlines cancel flights Authorities have issued multiple evacuation orders, demanding that locals and holidaymakers leave parts of the island. Towering walls of flames tore through forest and agricultural land on Chios, where authorities have declared a state of emergency and have sent firefighting reinforcements from Athens, the northern city of Thessaloniki and the nearby island of Lesbos. By Tuesday morning, the fire department said 444 firefighters with 85 vehicles were tackling the blaze on scattered fronts. Eleven helicopters and two water-dropping planes were providing air support. Emergency services have issued evacuation orders for villages and settlements in the area since Sunday, when fires broke out near the island's main town. The fire department has sent an arson investigation team to Chios to examine the cause of the blaze. 'We are faced with simultaneous fires in multiple, geographically unconnected parts of the island — a pattern that cannot be considered coincidental,' Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis said Monday from Chios. Authorities, he said, were 'very seriously examining the possibility of an organized criminal act, in other words arson.' The minister said police forces on the island had been reinforced, while military patrols had been doubled. 'Whoever thinks that they can play with the lives of citizens and cause chaos with premeditated actions will be led to court,' Kefalogiannis said. 'Arson is a serious crime and will be dealt with as such.' Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the Mediterranean is warming 20% faster than the global average, fuelled by human-caused climate change. "Coastal zones face heightened disaster risks, including flooding and erosion, and the salinization of river deltas and aquifers that sustain food security and livelihoods. By 2050, water demand is projected to double or even triple," the organisation states online.
India Today
09-06-2025
- India Today
Powerful eruption of Italy's Mount Etna volcano seen from space
Sicily's Mount Etna erupted last week with a dense column of ash and smoke thrown thousands of feet in the air as satellites looked on from Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission captured the dramatic event from space as a massive plume of ash, gas and rock suddenly burst from Europe's largest active Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes, but there hasn't been an eruption of this magnitude since 2014, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Observatory. The image here clearly depicts the lava flow and huge plume of smoke and ash. (Photo: ESA) advertisement Italy's INGV National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said the spectacle on Europe's most active volcano was caused when part of the southeast crater collapsed, resulting in hot lava flows. It was the 14th eruptive phase in recent area of danger was confined to the summit of Etna, which was closed to tourists as a precaution, according to Stefano Branca, an INGV official in observatory reported that preliminary observations show a partial collapse of the northern flank of the volcano's southeast crater. The image taken from space shows the lava flow and a huge plume of smoke and ash. The plume contained large amounts of sulphur dioxide that were emitted into the event was captured in video and photos that went viral on social media. Videos showed tourists running along a path on the flank of the vast volcano with smoke billowing some distance in the background. Excursions are popular on Etna, which is some 3,300 meters (nearly 11,000 feet) high, with a surface area of some 1,200 square tremors from the eruption were widely felt in the towns and villages on Mount Etna's flanks, Italian media reported.
Miami Herald
08-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Satellite Images Show Giant Port Emerge at World's Biggest Construction Site
Satellite imagery showed advances in construction of Oxagon, a floating industrial complex that is a key component of Saudi Arabia's Neom, currently the world's largest construction site. Newsweek has contacted Neom for comment. The new port city has a strategic location in one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. Neom is the flagship element of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aimed at diversifying its economy away from oil dependence. Oxagon, The Line and the Trojena Ski resort are among its most ambitious pieces. Neom has recently announced several progress reports, with a new CEO now in charge of resolving the project's budget overruns and delays amid multiple simultaneous, ambitious, and costly projects. Images captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites showed rapid progress made on Oxagon city and port, set to become one of the world's most advanced port terminals, the facility lies on the Red Sea in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The Port of NEOM has received Saudi Arabia's first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes, marking a key step in boosting Red Sea trade, automation, and tech-driven job creation, the company announced this week on LinkedIn. The Red Sea corridor is a major shipping route linking Asia via the Indian Ocean, to Europe and Africa via the Suez Canal. Oxagon's proximity to the canal, which facilitates almost 12% of global trade, provides it with a strategic edge, according to Blackridge Research & Consulting, an Indian-based specialized market research firm. The port is part of an envisioned cutting-edge industrial city which will fully rely on renewable energy and aims to host some 90,000 inhabitants by 2030, according to the government's vision. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had announced the establishment of Oxagon in 2021. "It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and commerce, and support creating a new focal point for global trade flows," Al-Arabiya's English website quoted him as saying. Neom's Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) is developing the world's largest green hydrogen facility-a $8.4 billion project- at Oxagon. Melissa Blake, Port Director at Neom wrote on Linkedin: "Port of Neom is excited to receive the first batch of cranes and other cargo handling equipment as we come another step closer to delivering our vision." Saudi Arabia's Government Vision 2030's website: "Sitting at the crossroads of 3 continents, Oxagon is a place where people, nature and technology come together in harmony." Vishal Wanchoo, CEO of Oxagon said in May: "Industrial development cannot continue at the expense of people or the environment. We're offering a compact, mixed-use city where industry, nature, and community coexist." The port is planned to act as the main trade gateway to northwestern Saudi Arabia, with a smart logistics hub, connects Asia, Europe, and Africa. Related Articles Images Show Power Plant Nears Completion at World's Biggest Construction SiteNew Progress Report From World's Biggest Construction ProjectWill Saudi Arabia's Alcohol Ban be Lifted? Reports Prompt Flare-UpNew Boss Named for World's Biggest Construction Project 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
08-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Satellite Images Show Giant Port Emerge at World's Biggest Construction Site
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Satellite imagery showed advances in construction of Oxagon, a floating industrial complex that is a key component of Saudi Arabia's Neom, currently the world's largest construction site. Newsweek has contacted Neom for comment. Why It Matters The new port city has a strategic location in one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. Neom is the flagship element of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aimed at diversifying its economy away from oil dependence. Oxagon, The Line and the Trojena Ski resort are among its most ambitious pieces. Neom has recently announced several progress reports, with a new CEO now in charge of resolving the project's budget overruns and delays amid multiple simultaneous, ambitious, and costly projects. What To Know Images captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites showed rapid progress made on Oxagon city and port, set to become one of the world's most advanced port terminals, the facility lies on the Red Sea in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Drag slider compare photos The Port of NEOM has received Saudi Arabia's first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes, marking a key step in boosting Red Sea trade, automation, and tech-driven job creation, the company announced this week on LinkedIn. The Red Sea corridor is a major shipping route linking Asia via the Indian Ocean, to Europe and Africa via the Suez Canal. Oxagon's proximity to the canal, which facilitates almost 12% of global trade, provides it with a strategic edge, according to Blackridge Research & Consulting, an Indian-based specialized market research firm. The port is part of an envisioned cutting-edge industrial city which will fully rely on renewable energy and aims to host some 90,000 inhabitants by 2030, according to the government's vision. Update🚨: Recent images posted by Giles Pendleton (Chief Operating Officer THE LINE at NEOM | Chief Development Officer) of Oxagon, showing immense progress in infrastructure works + Oxagon village is about to have more construction work coming as the site being prepared. — Saud (@Saudfromabove) April 13, 2025 Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had announced the establishment of Oxagon in 2021. "It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and commerce, and support creating a new focal point for global trade flows," Al-Arabiya's English website quoted him as saying. Neom's Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) is developing the world's largest green hydrogen facility—a $8.4 billion project— at Oxagon. What People Are Saying Melissa Blake, Port Director at Neom wrote on Linkedin: "Port of Neom is excited to receive the first batch of cranes and other cargo handling equipment as we come another step closer to delivering our vision." Saudi Arabia's Government Vision 2030's website: "Sitting at the crossroads of 3 continents, Oxagon is a place where people, nature and technology come together in harmony." Vishal Wanchoo, CEO of Oxagon said in May: "Industrial development cannot continue at the expense of people or the environment. We're offering a compact, mixed-use city where industry, nature, and community coexist." What Happens Next The port is planned to act as the main trade gateway to northwestern Saudi Arabia, with a smart logistics hub, connects Asia, Europe, and Africa.
