Radar studies of the sea surface - An introductionA variety of different radars have been used to observe the sea surface. The instruments include scatterometers to measure wind velocity, altimeters to measure wind speed and wave height, synthetic aperture radars (SAR) to map the radar reflectivity of the surface in order to see ocean surface waves and other phenomena, and two-frequency radars to measure ocean wavelength. The present investigation is concerned with the accuracy of the measurements of particular oceanic variables, improved means of calculating these variables, and a comparison of the relative similarities and differences among the various radars. Wind speed can be measured to useful accuracy from space using scatterometers such as that on Seasat. Significant wave heights can be measured to useful accuracy from space using altimeters, the present accuracy being + or - 10% for altimeters such as that on Seasat.
Document ID
19820063942
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Stewart, R. H. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena; California, University La Jolla, CA, United States)