Studies of the dependence of L-band backscatter on sea surface winds using the synthetic aperture radarAirborne and Seasat-1 SAR measurements of over-ocean winds through the use of L-band frequencies is described. A consistent dependence has been found between the wind speeds and the microwave backscattering coefficient. Measurements were obtained for cells a few kilometers across and at an incidence angle of 20 deg from nadir. Surface measurements were included in the analyses whenever possible, including data for surface temperatures and current variations, such as in the Gulf Stream. Higher radar cross-sections have been observed from the Gulf Stream than in nearby continental shelf waters. The eye-wall of Hurricane Gloria in Sept. 1976 displayed the largest backscatter of the storm. Wind speed backscatter exponents of 0.5 for winds below 18 m/sec, and 0.58 for winds above 20 m/sec have been determined for the Seasat L-band backscatter. The same wind speeds hold true for 0.05 and 0.50, respectively, for the wind direction component.
Document ID
19820063951
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Weissman, D. E. (Hofstra University Hempstead, NY, United States)
Brown, W. E., Jr. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, United States)
Thompson, T. W. (Science Applications, Inc. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Gonzalez, F. I. (NOAA, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Seattle WA, United States)
Jones, W. L. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)