Nebula Public Library

The emergence of the classical world from quantum theory, and especially of a consensus among different observers, is a long-standing problem for the foundations of quantum theory. Using recent advances in multipartite quantum information theory, we shed light on these problems. Besides their interest for fundamental physics, they are related to quantum sensing and metrology using a quantum-network of stations, a situation of interest for the potential use of quantum-based measurement probes for exploring space and the Universe.

The objective of the Aeolus/EarthCARE Aerosol Assimilation Studies (A3S) project was to allow assimilation of the Aeolus L2A lidar backscatter data, also paving the way for the assimilation of EarthCARE products. Since the Aeolus and EarthCARE missions were not yet launched at the time of the study, demonstration datasets based on model data (MOCAGE model for the aerosols and the IFS for the clouds) and a one-day dataset based on CALIPSO data (reprocessed at the UV wavelength and with the Aeolus orbit data) was created.

There is a need to achieve optimal cost effectiveness from remote sensing missions. Concurrently, a key scientific need in remote sensing is to address the spatial and temporal resolution of atmospheric measurements. Improved temporal resolution observations of the atmosphere – and importantly a reduced latency between observation and delivery to the user – can directly improve weather forecasting services.

Biomass burning is a key Earth system process, a major element of the terrestrial carbon cycle and a globally highly significant source of certain atmospheric trace gases and (primarily fine mode) aerosols. Natural and anthropogenic biomass burning occurs on all continents except Antarctica, with an estimated average of 3.5 - 4.5 million km2 of vegetation burnt in global wildfires each year (though this does not include the very large numbers of "small" agricultural fires that are difficult to map using current coarse spatial resolution remote sensing datasets).