The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence extends its sincere appreciation to the Cyprus Fire Service for its valuable cooperation and hospitality in supporting the RACE-ECV (Radiation Closure Experiments for EarthCARE Validation) Vol. 2 Campaign in Cyprus, conducted during the Spring–Summer 2026 period. The campaign is implemented in the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA) EarthCARE satellite validation activities, aiming to enhance the quality and reliability of Earth observation data.
The campaign is carried out through the collaboration of several leading European research institutions and universities, including PMOD/WRC (Davos, Switzerland), the University of Patras, the National Observatory of Athens, the University of Valladolid, and other international partners.
As part of the campaign, continuous solar radiation measurements are being performed using a pyranometer, while atmospheric aerosol observations are conducted using a Microtops II handheld sun photometer operated by the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence. The instruments are installed and hosted at the Pano Kivides Fire Station in Limassol, enabling continuous observations under optimal conditions.
The support and commitment of the Cyprus Fire Service have been instrumental in facilitating the successful operation of the measurement station and the implementation of this important scientific initiative. Their collaboration contributes significantly to advancing atmospheric research and the validation of satellite observations that support climate and environmental monitoring.
The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence expresses its sincere gratitude to the Cyprus Fire Service for its trust, hospitality, and continuous support of scientific research.
