Bishop Hill via correspondent Gras Albert noted this event early today:
![acqua[1]](http://wattsupwiththat.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/acqua1.jpg?quality=83)
I looked through the entire satellite record, and couldn’t find any similar event. That meant it was either unique, or indicative of a technology failure like we witnessed with NSIDC when one of their sensor channels gave out. I asked Dr. Roy Spencer if he thought this was real, and he responded with an update, seen below:
Aqua AMSU ch. 5 Bites the Dust
March 25th, 2013By Dr. Roy Spencer
Many people have noted on the satellite temperatures webpage the plunge in temperatures as recorded by AMSU channel 5 on the Aqua satellite. Since it looked pretty suspicious, I decided to investigate.
The following plot shows 3 satellites’ global AMSU5 measurements (Aqua, NOAA-15, and NOAA-18) that I computed this morning from the raw orbit files. The dates run from Feb. 1 through yesterday, March 24:
Clearly, Aqua AMSU ch 5 is now “out to lunch”. The reason why the plunge in Aqua temperatures in the above plot is so much stronger than what is displayed on the daily update website is that the latter shows running 3-day averages, and is only updated through March 23.
We knew that this channel has been slowly failing for a long time, which is why we have not been using it in our monthly updates. We will discuss the possibility of switching to the NOAA satellites on the website, although since the site is NASA-funded, they are reluctant to spend resources on NOAA satellite data. But, given the popularity of the page, we will work something out even if we have to make our own web page.
It looks very Marcottian…
Now if it had failed in the opposite direction, it would be the basis of a “solid paper” for AR5.
Looks like “backhoe fade” to me.
“…although since the site is NASA-funded, they are reluctant to spend resources on NOAA satellite data.”
Hmmm…. wonder who funds NOAA and NASA?
Satellites are one of the geatest of all human achievements. These stones that never come down. Well, almost never 🙁
I’m an ordinary guy. I didn’t know of the existance of Aqua Amsu till it failed. I knew satellites were providing us with the most reliable data we have. I appreciate the unsung service of this technological marvel and the genius of its masters.
Roy, would you be willing to write a brief guest post about this device? It’s life, capabilities, achievements? What it’s done and how itdid it? I’m sure Anthony would post it.
I guess that ch5 is one channel from the satellite? What do the others measure and are they going too? I mourn the loss of this device I hardly knew. I’d love to hear a eulogy from those who knew and maybe loved her.
For God’s sake, don’t tell Michael Mann! If he can turn the Tiljander sediments upside down, there’s no telling what “Siltdown Mann” could do with this!
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/06/22/manns-inverted-tiljander-data-survives-another-round-of-peer-review/
john robertson said:
“Now if it had failed in the opposite direction, it would be the basis of a “solid paper” for AR5.”
Peer reviewed and published In Science.
Leo nice words, I share your sentiment.
It looks like several of the channels are exhibiting similar behaviour.
It’s hopeless. Nobody is going to pay for upside down hockey sticks. Er, well… OK you got me on that one.
Gary, “Siltdown Mann”? That’s amazing! Josh?
Was the AQUA data a source of temperature anomalies that has been used to drive the recorded temperatures higher than otherwise reported? It appears to have been recording temperature anomAlies 0.2C higher than the other 2 sources
Mann, that’s very cool.
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
It may well be real beause its still within the range of other yearts data? If other channels are showing same then it is probably REAL.
Shhhh….
Per Mann just invert it then it will represent real phenomena.
I know we’re treading on risky ground concerning a particular individual with our witticisms about him, given his propensity to lawyer up, but he’d better think twice about suing us lest his fabrications be brought to light at trial and his whole world consequently fall apart.
Well, it could be a sensor failure, but doesn’t the precautionary principle indicate that we should redouble our efforts to burn fossil fuels to avoid an immediate ice age? I mean, multiply the incredible cost damages against that tiny possibility and you’ll see what I’m talking about. It’s only prudent to be safe. /sarc
If Marcott could get away with bad data supporting his contention, perhaps we could use this data to support Archibald’s global cooling ….
Having just enjoyed (well, yes, I did!) The Day After Tomorrow on DVD, I thought for one moment . . .
Sorry guys this is a well known type of graph its called a TTocram Curve. Which as you all now know is an upside down Marcott plot which until recently was known as a Nnam Curve. 😉
AMSU channel 5 does not agree with the model projections therefore it is a hardware failure.
Hi, Anthony. This is for any data-oriented readers who might be interested in solving a minor satellite-data mystery. At least it’s a mystery to me.
The mystery description can be found at
http://lukewarmplanet.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/intraseasonal-oscillation-x-iox/
That’s an old blog I started but I quickly ran out of time and abandoned it. I never figured out whether the apparent data oscillation was real or just an artifact of the satellite data analysis process. If it is an actual phenomenon then I’m really stumped about its nature.
Excellent job you, Steve, Lucia and others are doing on reviewing climate issues. I’m the one, BTW, who used to comment and post regularly about hurricanes at Climate Audit several years ago.
Just treat it like an upside-down proxy and wheeeeee! Catastrophy!
I am surprised that the usual suspects have yet to use this to flummox reality and produce some tabloid climatology.
Looks like an Earth hour interest graph = Dropping like a stone!
“We will discuss the possibility of switching to the NOAA satellites on the website, although since the site is NASA-funded, they are reluctant to spend resources on NOAA satellite data.”
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Well, la dee dah! Whenever we have a joint project with NASA, their PR machine cranks out the press releases hardly ever mentioning their NOAA partners. Now the shoes on the other foot they couldn’t be bothered because they might have to mention they’re using NOAA satellites. Thanks, pals, we’re all in this together.