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Article: NASA satellite detects red glow to map global ocean plant health.
- Article from:
- Asian News International
- Article date:
- May 29, 2009
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Byline: ANI
Washington, May 29 (ANI): Scientists have conducted the first global analysis of the health and productivity of ocean plants using a unique red glow detected by NASA's Aqua satellite.
Using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Aqua satellite, scientists have now observed "red-light fluorescence" over the open ocean.
MODIS is the first instrument to observe this signal on a global scale.
Ocean scientists can now remotely measure the amount of fluorescent red light emitted by phytoplankton and assess how efficiently these microscopic plants turn sunlight and nutrients into food through ...