Mediterranean hot flush detected after scorch...( 's nothing new climate is always fluct...)

Earlier versions of the AATSR flew aboard ESA's previous ERS-1 and ERS-2 spacecraft, so a near-continuous dataset of comparable measurements exists for the last 12 years. And by the time Envisat finishes its mission another five years - or more - will be added to this figure.

"Studying climate models show us we need at least 15 years worth of data to differentiate a definite global temperature increase from the normal variability of climate," explained Llewellyn-Jones. "Preliminary analysis of existing results does indicate a general upward trend, but we will be more certain with more time and more data."

The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and National Environment Research Council (NERC) developed AATSR along with an additional funding contribution from Australia. The instrument can also be used to measure cloud characteristics, land surface cover, plant health and even see forest blazes as they burn. It is one of ten instruments aboard ESA's Envisat environmental satellite, orbiting the Earth every 100 minutes from 800 km up.

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Contact: Henri Laur
henri.laur@esa.int
39-06-941-80-557
European Space Agency
24-Sep-2003