Chapter 16. Whitecap Measurements

Abstract

Video cameras and tape recorders were installed on research vessels taking part in the Gulf of Alaska experiments to collect the data necessary for the determination of the fraction of the sea surface covered by Stage A whitecaps (spilling wave crests). Two systems were installed; one on the R/V CORY CHOUEST and the other on the R/V J.P. TULLEY. Each system consisted of two NTSC format video cameras, VHS tape recorders, monitors, and date/time encoders. The cameras were mounted high in each ship's superstructure, and the cameras depressed to view the surface of the ocean from just above the horizon to the near sea surface at the bottom of the picture. Time was encoded to allow synchronization of recorded events with other recorded parameters. Video images were recorded during daylight hours for the days on station. The VHS format recorder allowed continuous recording for a period of eight hours. This data set was by far the largest we at the Marine Sciences Institute have been able to collect and analyze. It provides the basis for an assessment of how whitecap coverage varies as the wind conditions change.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA262471

Entities

People

  • E. C. Monahan
  • M. B. Wilson

Organizations

  • University of Connecticut

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Access Time
  • Cameras
  • Data Sets
  • Gray Scale
  • Meteorological Data
  • Oceanography
  • Recording Systems
  • Specular Reflection
  • Tape Recorders
  • Tapes
  • Video
  • Video Cameras
  • Video Frames
  • Video Images
  • Video Recording
  • Video Signals
  • Video Tapes

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Data Science/Digital Signal Processing.
  • Oceanography.