Lessons Learned from the NOAA CoastWatch Ocean Satellite Course Developed for Integrating Oceanographic Satellite Data into Operational Use

Abstract

Satellite data are underutilized in many branches of operational oceanography. Users outside of the satellite community often encounter difficulty in discovering the types of satellite measurements that are available, and determining which satellite products are best for operational activities. In addition, the large choice of satellite data providers, each with their own data access protocols and formats, can make data access challenging. The mission of the NOAA CoastWatch Program is to make ocean satellite data easier to access and to apply to operational uses. As part of this mission, the West Coast Node of CoastWatch developed the NOAA Ocean Satellite Course, which introduces scientists and resource managers to ocean satellite products, and provides them tools to facilitate data access when using common analysis software. These tools leverage the data services provided by ERDDAP, a data distribution system designed to make data access easier via a graphical user interface and via machine-to-machine connections. The course has been offered annually since 2006 and has been attended by over 350 participants. Results of post-course surveys are analyzed to measure course effectiveness. The lessons learned from conducting these courses include using the preferred software of the course participants, providing easy access to datasets that are appropriate (fit for purpose) for operation applications, developing tools that address common tasks of the target audience, and minimizing the financial barriers to attend the course.