Coastal radar observations reveal complex surface circulations

High-frequency radar observations of ocean surface currents.

This article reviews the discovery, development, and use of high-frequency (HF) radio wave backscatter in oceanography. HF radars, as the instruments are commonly called, remotely measure ocean surface currents by exploiting a Bragg resonant backscatter phenomenon. Electromagnetic waves in the HF band (3-30 MHz) have wavelengths that are commensurate with wind-driven gravity waves on the ocean ...

Observations of Strong Surface Radar Ducts over the Persian Gulf

Ducting of microwave radiation is a common phenomenon over the oceans. The height and strength of the duct are controlling factors for radar propagation and must be determined accurately to assess propagation ranges. A surface evaporation duct commonly forms due to the large gradient in specific humidity just above the sea surface; a deeper surface-based or elevated duct frequently is associate...

Mesoscale circulations over complex terrain: meteorology

G. Pérez-Landa, P. Ciais, M. J. Sanz, B. Gioli, F. Miglietta, J. L. Palau, G. Gangoiti, and M. M. Millán Fundación CEAM. Parque Tecnológico, c/ Charles R. Darwin 14, 46980 Paterna (Valencia), Spain Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, UMR Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique/CNRS 1572, Gif-sur-Yvette, France IBIMET-CNR, Instituto di Biometeorologia, Consiglio Nazionale delle R...

Doppler Radar Observations

Radar Observations of Mercury

Earth-based radar observations have provided information on the equatorial topography, sul3Pace scattering properties, and rotation of Mercury. The recent observational program at Arecibo Observatory has been devoted primarily to the measurement of altimetric profiles using the delay-Doppler technique. These profiles, which were derivedfrom observations made over a 6 yr period, provide fairly e...