Steve Nerem
Professor, Smead Aerospace
Monday, Feb. 10 | 12:30 P.M. | AERO 111
Abstract: We now have more than 27 years of satellite altimeter measurements of sea level change (TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, 2, and 3) and 17 years of satellite gravity measurements of mass change (GRACE and GRACE Follow-On). These measurements have helped us determine how much sea level is rising and perhaps more importantly, why sea level is rising. These measurements and the science they have facilitated will be reviewed. In addition, prospects for improving these measurement systems in the future using new instruments and satellites will be discussed.
Bio: Steve Nerem is a professor in Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado. He is currently Associate Director of CU’s Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research, and a Fellow of CU’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences. Prior to joining the university, he spent 6 years at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center as a geophysicist, and over 4 years at the University of Texas at Austin as an assistant and associate professor. He is a specialist in satellite remote sensing and geodesy, with a main research focus on measuring sea level change using satellite altimetry and satellite gravity data. He became a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 2008. He is a member of the National Academies Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space (CESAS).