The Use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to Measure Ocean Gravity Waves,
Abstract
This paper reviews the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to detect water gravity waves. SAR data, collected by aircraft and satellites during a series of oceanographic experiments, have been used to demonstrate the ability of this imaging remote sensor to measure water gravity waves in a variety of sea states. For example, wave refraction was successfully documented in the coastal regions near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, using Seasat SAR satellite data. SAR has also been successfully used to measure internal gravity waves and long-period surf beats. Several parameters determine the visibility of gravity waves in SAR images: radar wavelengths and polarization, angle of incidence and radar look direction (relative to the wave propagation direction), as well as ocean wavelength, wave height, and wind speed and direction. In general, waves traveling toward or away from the SAR line of sight are more visible in the imagery than waves traveling perpendicular to the SAR line of sight. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADP000378
Entities
People
- E. S. Kasischke
- G. A. Meadows
- J. D. Lyden
- R. A. Shuchman
Organizations
- Environmental Research Institute of Michigan