The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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This figure shows the global sea-surface temperature measurements for May 1993 from the ATSR (Along-Track Scanning Radiometer)instrument on ERS-1. The data spatial resolution is 0.5deg and the measurements are accurate globally to better than 0.3degC. The few data gaps due to persistent cloud cover are shown as black. Clearly visible are the warm western boundary currents such as the California, Humboldt and Benguela currents, and the regions of cold upwelling off Namibia and Morocco. The effect of the Gulf Stream on Northern Europe is striking, the sea being warmer here than anywhere else at the same latitude. Also evident is the remarkable level of turbulent detail, particularly in the southern ocean. [Image Date: 03-05-96] [96.05.003-004]