Welcome to the ARES Observatory
ARES (Airborne Research of the Earth System) is an integrated research & technology platform offering advanced hyperspectral and multi-sensor data acquisitions of dynamic processes across the Earth’s major spheres.
Our Objective
The ARES Observatory addresses the increasing importance of airborne research over the past few years and fills an important gap between in-situ and space-based observations. Using complementary, cutting edge remote sensing instruments, interfaced by high-precision navigation and positioning instrumentation, we produce high-quality data to improve our understanding and knowledge of the Earth System.
AVIRIS-4
Cutting edge remote sensing technology – our instrument of choice
The Airborne Visible/InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer 4 (AVIRIS-4) is a pushbroom imaging spectrometer for the solar reflected spectrum (380-2495 nm) with wide swath (1024 elements), fast optical speed (F/1.8), and high uniformity (≥95%). The AVIRIS-4 compact Dyson demonstrates a reduction in volume and mass over the equivalent Offner-type instrument. AVIRIS-4 was developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is designed to address the need for high signal to noise ratio compact imaging spectrometer systems for the visible short wave infrared wavelength range.
DATA
Together with its partners and customers, ARES has, over the years, collected a large amount of data all over Europe. To foster our understanding and knowledge of the Earth System, ARES follows a rigorous data sharing attitude. Check out our past missions and test sites to see what data is available.
Our data access platform will be up soon!
DATA ACCESS POLICY
The ARES Observatory has a rigorous data-sharing attitude. This is implemented following the guidelines of the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles, namely full and open exchange of data, metadata and products, recognizing relevant Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) policies and FAIR principles; all shared data, metadata and products will be made available; and all shared data, metadata and products being free of charge or no more than cost of reproduction will be applicable for research and education for the proposing team. In addition, the team set forth a number of rules, defining protected principal investigator times for each internal applicant. For all other (external) users, a common data policy, including property rights as well as a cost model has been developed. In turn, data recipients are asked to provide a data management plan, sending feedback to the facility, allowing steady improvement of its services and output.