An Oceanographic Test Site for Satellite Infrared Sensors: The Gulf of California.

Abstract

Although the ability to obtain sea surface temperatures from satellite infrared sensors has been proven, the best possible resolution of these sensors has not been determined. This resolution is a function of the satellite sensor's limitations. The most important of these are: atmospheric moisture error, system noise, and navigational accuracy. The extent of these limitations (and thus the sensor's best possible resolution) can be found by using the data from an inflight comparison between the satellite sensors and ground stations in an ideal region. The prime requirements for such a region are: extremely dry atmosphere, a minimum of clouds, distinctive land masses for satellite positioning and a fairly uniform sea surface temperature field. Several regions having these requirements exist, the closest to the continental United States is the Gulf of California. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0749560

Entities

People

  • Paul E. Laviolette

Organizations

  • Naval Oceanographic Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmospheres
  • California
  • Detectors
  • Errors
  • Ground Stations
  • Inflight
  • Infrared Detectors
  • Moisture
  • Sea Surface Temperature
  • Stations
  • Surface Temperature
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Oceanography.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites