Sensing Planet Earth: Core to Outer Space

Dr. Karine Le Bail, a Senior Researcher in the Space Geodesy group at Chalmers University of Technology's Onsala Space Observatory, is a distinguished expert in Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and space geodesy. Joining Chalmers in June 2020, her research focuses on the Very Long Baseline Interferometry Global Observing System (VGOS), with particular emphasis on radio source structure and atmospheric turbulence effects on geodetic measurements. As a member of the International DORIS Service Governing Board and through her numerous publications, Le Bail has significantly contributed to improving the accuracy of Earth observation techniques. Her expertise extends to teaching, where she instructs courses on "Sensing Planet Earth – From Core to Outer Space" and "Sensing Planet Earth – Water and Ice." With a background that includes contributions to the GSFC DORIS contribution to ITRF2014 and involvement in various international VLBI projects, Dr. Le Bail plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of Earth's dynamics and in shaping the next generation of geodesists and Earth scientists.

Professor Thomas Hobiger, currently at the University of Stuttgart, is a distinguished expert in space geodesy and navigation. With M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Vienna University of Technology, Hobiger's career spans roles at a Japanese research institute and as Associate Professor at Chalmers University of Technology before his current position. His research interests encompass a broad spectrum, including VLBI, GNSS, Earth rotation, sea-level change, software-defined radio, and high-performance computing. Hobiger has significantly contributed to developing next-generation space-geodetic systems and processing tools, particularly for VLBI and GNSS. His expertise earned him the prestigious Geodesy Section Award from the American Geophysical Union in 2018. As an educator, he previously taught courses on sensing planet Earth at Chalmers. Hobiger's multifaceted work in space geodesy and navigation continues to advance our understanding of Earth's dynamics and improve precision in global positioning and timing systems.

Professor Emeritus Bo Galle, from the Department of Space, Earth and Environment at Chalmers University of Technology, has made significant contributions to atmospheric studies and volcanic gas monitoring over a career spanning more than 35 years. Specializing in optical remote sensing methods, Galle's work in the past decade has focused on studying gas emissions from volcanoes, leading to the development of an innovative early warning system for volcanic eruptions using differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS). As coordinator of EU projects DORSIVA and NOVAC, he spearheaded the installation of measurement technology on numerous volcanoes globally, with his system now deployed at over 200 stations across 60 volcanoes in 22 countries. Galle's groundbreaking work, which earned him the Chalmers impact award, has not only advanced volcanology but also contributed to saving lives through early detection of volcanic activity. His expertise continues to shape the field through his teaching contributions to courses on Earth sensing and environmental science at Chalmers, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in volcanic gas monitoring and environmental research.

Rüdiger Haas serves as a Full Professor for Space Geodesy at Chalmers University of Technology, where he leads the research group on Space Geodesy and Geodynamics at the Onsala Space Observatory. His extensive research portfolio encompasses space geodesy and global geophysical phenomena, including Earth rotation, global reference frames, atmospheric water vapor changes, and sea level measurements. As a distinguished leader in his field, he holds several prestigious positions, including membership on the directing board of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), chairmanship of the European VLBI Group for Geodesy and Astrometry (EVGA), and chair of the directing board of the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS). He is the scientific leader of the Onsala twin telescope project and has made significant contributions to geodetic VLBI activities at the Onsala Space Observatory. His research has been widely recognized through numerous publications in prestigious journals, focusing on areas such as GNSS applications for sea level measurements, atmospheric refraction studies, and system stability investigations in short-baseline VLBI observations. Through his leadership and research contributions, Haas continues to advance our understanding of space geodesy and its applications in monitoring global geophysical phenomena.

Donal Murtagh has dedicated his career to understanding Earth's atmospheric processes through innovative satellite-based research methods. As Professor of Global Environmental Measurements and Modelling at Chalmers University of Technology since 2000, and now as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Space, Earth and Environment, he has led groundbreaking research into how the Earth's atmosphere functions as a whole system. His work focuses on the complex interactions between radiative, chemical, and dynamical processes in the atmosphere, utilizing satellite-based tools to gain a comprehensive global perspective. As the Odin Aeronomy Mission Scientist, he has played a crucial role in the Odin satellite project, which continues to provide valuable data about atmospheric composition and behavior. Leading the Division of Microwave and Optical Remote Sensing, he has secured significant funding from organizations like the Swedish National Space Board and the European Space Agency, contributing to our understanding of mesospheric phenomena, water vapor distribution, stratospheric ozone, planetary waves, and tropical upper troposphere ice water content. His research approach emphasizes the importance of global observations in understanding atmospheric processes, making him a key figure in advancing our knowledge of Earth's atmospheric systems through satellite-based measurements and analysis.