MERLIN Scientific Advisory Group Meeting

The space agencies of France and Germany (CNES and DLR) have been working together on a new satellite mission to measure methane in the atmosphere, called MERLIN (Methane Remote Sensing Lidar Mission).

MERLIN is an active sensor, meaning that it provides its own radiation source in the form of a laser, so it can measure during both day and night, and at high latitudes where sunlight is scarce, which is difficult for other sorts of spaceborne sensors.

The principal investigators of the mission and representatives of the agencies meet regularly with MERLIN's Scientific Advisory Group, an international group of scientists with experience related to methane measurement and modelling, who help provide guidance for mission-relevant decisions. The most recent meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group was organized by Julia Marshall and hosted at the institute on May 20-21, 2015 with 14 scientists in attendance from across Germany and France, and further participation of colleagues from the US and Europe via videoconference.

Contact:
Julia Marshall Ph: +49 3641 576383
Email: marshall@bgc-jena.mpg.de