Satellite and Hydrographic Observations of Low-Frequency Wave Motions Associated with a Cold Core Gulf Stream Ring

Abstract

Thermal infrared data from the NOAA polar orbiting satellite and hydrographic observations from surface ships are used to estimate the eccentricity and the rotation rate of wavelike perturbations around the circumference of a Gulf Stream cyclonic eddy in Apr 1977. From the satellite data, the rotation rate is estimated at omega = (4.4 + or - 0.1) x 10 (expn -6) s (expn -1) for the period Apr 8-16. Estimates of omega are obtained from the trajectory of satellite-tracked drifters and from changes in eth sea surface temperature fields determined from expendable bathythermograph trace (XBT) surveys. A simple Eady model suggests the perturbations are stable modes of azimuthal wave number 2.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 20, 1981
Accession Number
ADA114782

Entities

People

  • Richard Legeckis
  • Thomas W. Spence

Organizations

  • Texas A&M University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmospheric Attenuation
  • Counters
  • Distortion
  • Eccentric Orbits
  • Eccentricity
  • Gulf Stream
  • High Resolution
  • Images
  • Intervals
  • Isotherms
  • Orbits
  • Sea Surface Temperature
  • Shape
  • Surface Temperature
  • Time Intervals
  • Trajectories

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Oceanography.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris