Satellite oceanography - The instruments
Abstract
It is pointed out that no instrument is sensitive to only one oceanographic variable; rather, each responds to a combination of atmospheric and oceanic phenomena. This complicates data interpretation and usually requires that a number of observations, each sensitive to somewhat different phenomena, be combined to provide unambiguous information. The distinction between active and passive instruments is described. A block diagram illustrating the steps necessary to convert data from satellite instruments into oceanographic information is included, as is a diagram illustrating the operation of a radio-frequency radiometer. Attention is also given to the satellites that carry the various oceanographic instruments.
- Publication:
-
Oceanus
- Pub Date:
- November 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981ocea...24...66S
- Keywords:
-
- Instrument Packages;
- Maritime Satellites;
- Ocean Data Acquisitions Systems;
- Oceanography;
- Satellite-Borne Instruments;
- Block Diagrams;
- Infrared Radiometers;
- Microwave Radiometers;
- Radio Altimeters;
- Instrumentation and Photography