Earth Observation: a new high quality open access journal

Jonathan Bamber, Andy Kaab, EO Co-executive Editors

At the celebration of 25 years of innovative open-access publishing by EGU it is apposite to highlight and showcase the most recent journal to be added to the library of those managed and published by the learned society.

Launching a new journal is not be taken lightly and needs a sound justification and rationale. Here we outline the rationale, the gap in the market that it will fill, it’s scope and the opportunities it offers, not only to publish in, but also to get involved with in various different ways. We also provide an overview of the current editorial board structure and how we aim to have the requisite expertise to ensure the highest editorial and publication integrity.

The scope of the journal is broad covering all EO-related topics within the geosciences but also methodological and sensor advances that may not be specific to any particular discipline. In fact, most instruments and methods are agnostic to the target surface or medium being observed and we see this as one of the important roles of the journal within the existing EGU stable.

As the youngest of the journals, EO’s scope will evolve, as will the editorial board and it is likely that there are areas that will emerge over time, also including ones which members might have ideas about already. We welcome this opportunity to hear your questions, thoughts and ideas and any feedback on this new, exciting EGU initiative.

Anyone interested in EO and its applications is welcome to join, ask questions, share ideas, explore ways to get involved and help shape the journal’s future.