DMSP Special Sensor Microwave/Imager Calibration/Validation. Volume 1
Abstract
The cover picture shows the brightness temperatures of the SSM/I 19 GHz horizontally polarized channel. The Mollweide equal-area projection is composed of SSM/I measurements from 62 consecutive revolutions of the DMSP satellite over a four day period in mid-September 1988. The brightness temperatures for this image range from 90 to 310 K. The lowest brightness temperatures are dark blue ranging up through shades of blue, green, yellow, and red to white. The natural radiation emitted by the earth is predominately in the infrared and microwave portions of the spectrum, but the microwave radiation penetrates the atmosphere better than the infrared to reveal details of surface and weather. The coolest parts of the globe are the polar oceans. The polar ice packs are warmer than the surrounding sea at 19 GHz. The warmest and brightest parts of the globe are low altitude land. Mountains, lakes, and rivers, such as the Amazon, are darker, cooler features on the continents. Clouds vary greatly in brightness, depending on the amount of water present. Rain and hail in thunderclouds are warmer than the surrounding clouds so that regions of precipitation are relatively light. Although the intertropical convergence zone is visible over the ocean, the view of land is relatively unobstructed where the clouds cross the continents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA274795
Entities
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory