Meet Caroline Cox, Earth Observation Algorithm Scientist

Meet Caroline Cox, Earth Observation Algorithm Scientist

Author: Gemma Plumb & Aisling Creevey February 18, 2026 Duration: 33:00

Meet Caroline Cox, Earth Observation Algorithm Scientist with RAL Space. She works on satellite missions that help us understand our planet better. From calibrating brand-new satellite instruments to turning raw space data into scientifically accurate images, she’s part of the huge team effort that makes those stunning satellite pictures possible.

Caroline's work often starts at least ten years before a satellite makes it into space. She works behind the scenes on satellite instruments to make sure that raw data that comes back from space is accurate so that scientists can better understand our planet.

She explains what exactly Earth radiance actually is and why it matters for measuring surface temperature and atmospheric gases, and how clouds remain one of the biggest uncertainties in climate science.

Caroline lead the ‘Cloud Catcher’ citizen science project and explains that thousands of people have taken part to help analyse satellite images.

Listen on to learn more about the cumulus cloud, desert textures seen from space, the magic of those first satellite images after launch, and just how much work goes into producing a single “pretty picture” from space.

If you would like to learn more about RAL Space you can find them here.

https://www.ralspace.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/home.aspx

And here are some of the satellite organisations mentioned on the podcast today.

https://www.eumetsat.int/image-week

https://www.copernicus.eu/en/media/image-day

If you would like to learn more about Caroline’s cloud catcher Citizen Scientist project you can find it here

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/caroline-cox/cloudcatcher

We really hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast, and leave loving the weather just a little bit more.

If you want to hear a little more weather and climate chat - please hit subscribe, like and share with a friend.

You can follow us on social media - @fortheloveofweather

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Ever find yourself actually enjoying a rainy afternoon or wondering why a certain cloud looks the way it does? You're not alone. For the love of weather is the ongoing conversation between meteorologists Gemma Plumb and Aisling Creevey, who have spent over fifteen years forecasting across the UK. This podcast captures the kind of deep-dive chats they've been having for years, moving far beyond simple small talk. They pull back the curtain on what weather really means for our daily lives, drawing on a surprising range of experience. Their professional paths have seen them predicting conditions for everything from major music festivals and national rail networks to agricultural harvests and even ice cream demand, giving them a unique perspective on how the atmosphere connects to the ground beneath our feet. Each episode feels like sitting with two experts who are still genuinely fascinated by their subject, discussing the science behind a storm front, the challenges of a long-range forecast, or how a shift in the wind can change an entire industry's plans. It's a look at the patterns and stories in the sky, grounded in the reality of jobs, life changes, and a shared curiosity that hasn't faded. Tune in for a human take on the forces that shape our days.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 81

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