Tues 20th April 2021 @ 12:00 nn in 301.147 and online via Webex (meeting #: 184 616 7135 and password: 6mzGCJ3bZz6)

Abstract:

Water is a precious resource on both Earth and Mars.  In Australia, human behaviour and climate change are having major impacts on our precious surface and subsurface water resources. There is a strong need for high frequency, high resolution accurate monitoring and forecasting of our water usage, and this can be achieved through the fusion of multiple satellite sensors.  On Mars liquid water is elusive and is observed at the surface only in low volumes for transient periods when the presence of salts supports its temporary stability.  In the not-too-distant future however, in situ water resources on Mars will be required by human explorers.  This presentation will discuss research involving the coupling of satellite based remote sensing with powerful data processing algorithms to deliver accurate measurements of vegetation water usage– as evapotranspiration (mm/day) – and their applications to forestry, land use-land cover analysis and water quality.  The talk will finish with a discussion of the challenges in water detection on Mars and methods for mapping it in the subsurface.

Short bio:

Dr Eriita Jones is a Planetary and Space Scientist, and Research Fellow at the  University of South Australia and Curtin University (with the Remote Sensing and Satellite Research Group).  Her primary research interests are in the use of satellite based remote sensing to promote our sustainable utilisation of water resources on Earth, multi-sensor fusion, and the detection and characterisation of present-day liquid water and habitable environments on Mars and other planetary bodies.  Outside of space, Dr Jones is passionate about women in STEM, music, environmental protection, gardening and veganism.