Satellite observations of snow and ice with an imaging passive microwave spectrometerThe scanning microwave spectrometer (SCAMS) on the Nimbus-6 satellite continuously maps the terrestrial surface with a resolution of about 150 km at 22.235 and 31.400 GHz. SCAMS observes at six angles besides nadir, yielding brightness temperatures which are a function of the distribution and character of various types of snow and ice, including microstructure and subsurface profiles in refractive index, loss (moisture or salinity), and temperature. Spectral signatures exhibiting interesting topographical structure have been observed. To aid in the interpretation of these data, a model was developed to describe the propagation of microwave intensity in a scattering medium characterized by three-dimensional random fluctuations of refractive index in addition to nonrandom variations in permittivity, temperature, and loss. The model combines Maxwell's equations in the Born approximation with radiative-transfer theory; this approach yields the variation of intensity with polarization, direction, and position.
Document ID
19760053495
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Fisher, A. D. (Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Ledsham, B. L. (Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Rosenkranz, P. W. (Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Staelin, D. H. (MIT Cambridge, Mass., United States)