Estimation of the geophysical properties of the ocean surface using aircraft microwave measurements

• Main Authors: Chang, D. T., Fowler, M. G., Willand, J. H., Isaacs, R. G.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1977
• Subjects: OCEANOGRAPHY; Bering Sea
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2060/19770014873

An improved model of the effects of sea state on microwave signature has been developed which incorporates the different effects of whitecaps and streaks to define the response of microwave channels to wind speed. This model has been demonstrated to agree with recent measurements. An approximation model has also been incorporated to describe the effects of precipitation on microwave radiation through a computationally rapid routine. The use of these models and a new technique to allow the selection of the most climatologically appropriate D-matrix is demonstrated in the inversion of data collected over the bering Sea. Surface wind speed agrees very well with observations while good results are obtained for integrated water vapor, and liquid water.