A call for new approaches to quantifying biases in observations of sea-surface temperature

Global surface-temperature changes are a fundamental expression of climate change. Recent, much-debated, variations in the observed rate of surface-temperature change have highlighted the importance of uncertainty in adjustments applied to sea-surface temperature (SST) measurements. These adjustments are applied to compensate for systematic biases and changes in observing protocol. Better quantification of the adjustments and their uncertainties would increase confidence in estimated surface-temperature change and provide higher- quality gridded SST fields for use in many applications. Bias adjustments have been based either on physical models of the observing processes or on the assumption of an unchanging relationship between SST and a reference data set such as night marine air temperature. These approaches produce similar estimates of SST bias on the largest space and timescales, but regional differences can exceed the estimated uncertainty. We describe challenges to improving our understanding of SST biases. Overcoming these will require clarification of past observational methods, improved modeling of biases associated with each observing method, and the development of statistical bias estimates that are less sensitive to the absence of metadata regarding the observing method. New approaches are required that embed bias models, specific to each type of observation, within a robust statistical framework. Mobile platforms and rapid changes in observation type require biases to be assessed for individual historic and present-day platforms (i.e., ships or buoys) or groups of platforms. Lack of observational metadata and of high-quality observations for validation and bias model development are likely to remain major challenges

Thomas Rennell to James Edward Smith, Mrs Wiggin's, Craven Hill, Bayswater, [Middlesex]

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Transcribes extract from letter received from Provost of King's College stating that he has decided not to promise his vote to anyone until a vacancy is actually open, so as to be able to compare the merits of the respective candidates

Thomas Rennell to James Edward Smith, Mrs Wiggin's, Craven Hill, Bayswater, [Middlesex]

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Transcribes extract from letter received from Provost of King's College stating that he has decided not to promise his vote to anyone until a vacancy is actually open, so as to be able to compare the merits of the respective candidates

The consequences of the vice of gaming, [electronic resource] : as they affect the welfare of individuals, and the stability of civil government, considered; a sermon, preached in the cathedral church of Winchester. By Thomas Rennell, D. D. Prebendary of Winton, And Rector of St. Magnus, London Bridge.

With a half-title and final advertisement leaf.Electronic reproduction.English Short Title Catalog,Reproduction of original from British Library

A sermon, [electronic resource] : preached at St. Magnus Church, London Bridge, at the anniversary of the Royal Humane Society, on Sunday, March 23, 1794. By Thomas Rennell, D. D. late fellow of King's College, Cambridge; and Rector of St. Magnus.

Pp.18-20: 'Appendix on resuscitation, ..'.In this edition, there is a quotation from Virgil on the titlepage.Electronic reproduction.English Short Title Catalog,Reproduction of original from British Library

A new general map of the East Indies : exhibiting in the Peninsula on this side of the Ganges, or Hindoostan, the several partitions of the Mogul's Empire ; and the dominions of the English East India Company in the provinces of Bengal, Bahar, Orixa, as well as upon the coasts of Malabar and Coromandel ; with the French and Dutch possessions according to the peace of 1783 : and in the peninsula beyond the Ganges, the kingdoms of Assam, Cashar, Aua, Aracan, Mien, Pegu, Siam, Lao and Cambodia, &c. /

Relief shown pictorially.On verso: 42