The Arctic is melting - and scientists just lost a key tool to observe it

[n2doc]

Chelsea Harvey
Special to The Washington Post
Earlier this month, a U.S. satellite known as F17 - which was primarily used for meteorological measurements - experienced operational failures that compromised the integrity of its data. And while there are similar satellites in orbit that can take over the data collection for now, they're old enough that scientists are unsure how much longer they'll last.

Now, with no government plans to launch a replacement any time soon, scientists who rely on these satellites for valuable climate data are beginning to worry about the future of their research. The problem comes at a vital time, too - one when the Arctic, and other remote regions, are seeing rapid changes and scientists badly need these instruments to track them.

Just last month, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) reported that the maximum extent of Arctic sea ice this past winter - the time of year when the ice reaches its annual peak - was at a record low for the second straight year. The Arctic sea ice record has been one of the most important ways scientists have tracked the progress of climate change over time. But as of April 12, the NSIDC was forced to release a statement explaining that its daily sea ice updates were suspended until further notice due to technical difficulties with F17.

F17 - and its predecessors - have been "one of the primary resources for monitoring sea ice extent and concentration," said Walt Meier, a research scientist and sea ice expert at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
more
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-arctic-melt-20160425-story.html

[HuckleB]

1. K and R.

[JDPriestly]

2. We need Bernie. He wants to audit the military and find money to fund the projects

we really need.

Feel the Bern!

[JudyM]

6. That was my first thought too. Stop funding the wrong things with our money!

[Moostache]

9. But, but...ISL / ISIS...

War mongers of every stripe infuriate me...I wish we could get a Congress and President that put Americans in the pural ahead of American 'interests' (which has always been code for 'campaign donor's profits).

[JudyM]

10. Agreed. And interesting point about "American interests" -- sadly, so true.

[Cassiopeia]

3. Wonderful.

I'm sure Congress will leap to action to get this satellite replaced.

Oh yeah, even if they do, Obama would likely stand in the way. That campaign rhetoric of going to Mars was just that, campaign rhetoric.

http://www.universetoday.com/127309/nasa-2017-budget/

[forest444]

4. Easy. Send Cheney to look for it.

Just tell him its a cache of Saddam's WMD.

[ReRe]

5. Ruh Roh

So, so, so... What now? With the right wing government that we like to keep in office, a new weather satellite will be totally out of the question, since you know... right wingers don't believe in science. This is not good. Only way to get a new satellite up there is to vote in Democrats across the board in DC. This year. This year. This year.

Let me repeat that again: This year!

[0rganism]

7. the USA won't do it, i'd bet Europe or China will step up tho

strangely enough, this is a matter of global concern, as well as minor bragging rights for whichever space program gets that replacement satellite up there fastest. but our politics have paralyzed the USA from taking strong action in this respect.

for the next year or so, we'll be relying on Europe and China to pick up the slack. then the Democrats will be able to start passing budgets that include atmospheric research.

[NurseJackie]

12. I'll have to agree with you on that. It's sad ...

... and embarrassing at the same time.

[n2doc]

14. I agree with Europe

China seems less interested in Climate, although they should be. A lot of environmental science is now being led by Europeans. The US has other priorities, like blowing up rocks in the middle east, or giving other countries the weapons to do so.

[OnlinePoker]

15. Doesn't Cryosat II already get this info? n/t

[Uncle Joe]

8. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, n2doc.

[Dont call me Shirley]

11. Oops, said the fossil fuel filth who hacked and disabled it.

[Blue_In_AK]

13. Alaska is having a very early spring.

We've broken temperature records here in Anchorage over the past couple of months. The trees are leafed out, and I have primroses blooming. This is at least two weeks early. I'm even contemplating getting my vegetable starts into the ground. Back in the old days when I first moved up here, the rule was don't plant until Memorial Day weekend, then gradually it got to the point where I could put my garden in mid-May, now here it is not even the first, and I'm ready. The rule now is when birch leaves are as big as a squirrel's ear, and they're already bigger than that.

Our very early spring may be related to El Niño, but I'm thinking there's more at play. Yesterday it was almost 70 degrees in Fairbanks.

[TygrBright]

16. Denial facilitation level: Expert. n/t