EMS Webinar: Atmospheric Science from Satellites – Focus on Trace Gases and Aerosol Effects on Climate
Speaker: Daniele Bortoli, Department of Physics and Center for sci-tech Research in EArth sysTem and Energy – CREATE at the University of Évora
The webinar will be held as Zoom webinar:
- Wednesday, 11 November 2026 at 4pm CET
- Registration will become available in early October
Abstract
Satellite remote sensing has revolutionised atmospheric science by providing global, continuous observations of Earth’s atmosphere, enabling unprecedented insights into weather, climate, air quality, and composition. This presentations explores the historical evolution of satellite technology from early milestones like Sputnik (1957) and TIROS-1 (1960) to modern mega-constellations such as Starlink (over 6,000 satellites in 2025). Key technological components—including payloads, orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO), power systems, and advancements like AI integration and CubeSats—are examined, highlighting trends in miniaturization, sustainability, and debris mitigation.
A core focus is on current atmospheric observations, featuring instruments aboard satellites and specialized missions (CALIPSO’s CALIOP lidar, CloudSat’s CPR radar, MetOp’s IASI). These tools employ passive (radiometers, spectrometers) and active (lidar, radar) principles to measure radiance, backscatter, and emissions across UV, visible, IR, and microwave spectra.
Presentation delves into data products for weather imagery, precipitation, trace gases (CO₂, CH₄, ozone, NO₂), aerosols (optical depth, profiles), and greenhouse gases, revealing radiative forcing impacts . Real-world applications include storm tracking, ozone recovery monitoring, wildfire smoke mapping, and climate modeling, with future outlooks on missions like MetOp-SG and AI-enhanced analytics.
About the speaker
Daniele Bortoli is an Italian-Portuguese atmospheric physicist whose career bridges Europe and polar research.
Born in Italy, he graduated in Physics from the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum) in 1998. He moved to Portugal, earning his PhD in Atmospheric Physics from the University of Évora in 2005, with a thesis on the SPATRAM spectrometer for monitoring atmospheric tracers. He is currently a senior researcher at the Center for sci-tech Research in EArth sysTem and Energy – CREATE.
He also holds a non-stipendiary invited research fellowship at the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (ISAC-CNR) in Bologna, Italy. Earlier roles included a Ciência 2007 research contract (2008–2013) and principal investigator positions.
His research focuses on atmospheric composition, radiative transfer, optical remote sensing (e.g., DOAS and LIDAR techniques), air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion in the Arctic and Antarctic, and solar radiation characterization. He developed the SPATRAM instrument and contributes to international networks like EARLINET, ACTRIS, and NDACC.
Bortoli plays a key role in polar science: he helped establish Portugal’s Polar Program (PROPOLAR) during the 2007 International Polar Year, serves on its coordinating committee, and represents Portugal in atmospheric physics for the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).
With over 126 publications and collaborations across Europe, India, Bulgaria, and New Zealand, Bortoli advances ground-based and remote sensing techniques for understanding Earth’s atmosphere and climate.