So, NASA sent a new satellite up at Vandenburg Air Force Base
today here in Southern California. The Aquarius observatory -
their materials promise - will, within a few months, "collect as
many sea surface salinity measurements as the entire 125-year
historical record from ships and buoys." They expect to cover
the earth's surface once every seven days. It's so accurate it
can measure a pinch of salt in a gallon of water. Aquarius has
research related goals, too: • The water cycle - 86% of global
evaporation and 78% of global precipitation occur over the
ocean; thus SSS is the key variable for understanding how fresh
water input and output affects ocean dynamics • Ocean
circulation - With temperature, salinity determines seawater
density and buoyancy, driving the extent of ocean
stratification, mixing, and water mass formation • Climate - As
computer models evolve, Aquarius will provide the essential SSS
data needed to link the two major components of the climate
system: the water cycle and ocean circulation