The problem of obtaining quantitative data on spatial ocean wave spectra from the images of the ocean surface by either regular SAR or along-track interferometric SAR (INSAR) is studied. The dominant mechanism which allows imaging of ocean waves by SAR/INSAR is the so-called velocity bunching. This mechanism is essentially nonlinear. The theoretical analysis of SAR/INSAR imagery of the ocean su...

Remote sensors operating at electromagnetic wavelengths cannot significantly penetrate ocean water but are effective at observing surface phenomena (such as waves andwinds). Radar remote sensing can also be used to measure ocean currents and the presence of surfactants or slicks. These capabilities are presently being exploited to track the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, for example. For radars tran...

Paul S. Schopf George Mason University There are many phenomena of interest in the atmosphere and ocean, only some of which are relevant for seasonal forecasting. One way of identifying the processes likely to be active is through scale analysis which identifies the important terms in the governing equations and highlights the importance of geostrophic balance. Simple arguments for Rossby waves...

With the advent of the new generation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, it has become possible to resolve fine-scale features on the sea surface on the scale of meters. The proper identification of sea surface signatures in SAR imagery can be challenging, since some features may be due to atmospheric distortions (gravity waves, squall lines) or anthropogenic influences (slicks), and...

[1] We study the polarization properties of the light field under a dynamic ocean surface using realistic linear and nonlinear ocean surface waves. The three-dimensional polarized radiative transfer of the dynamic ocean–atmosphere system is considered using a Monte Carlo vector radiative transfer simulation for arbitrary depth. The program is validated with measurement data taken in Hawaii duri...