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From: jwm@stdc.jhuapl.edu (Jim Meritt)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: NASA news - Seasat
Message-ID: <1003@aplcomm.UUCP>
Date: 1 Jul 88 00:31:39 GMT
References: <13979@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> <1313@daisy.UUCP>
Sender: news@aplcomm.UUCP
Reply-To: jwm@aplvax.UUCP (Jim Meritt)
Organization: JHU-Applied Physics Laboratory
Lines: 30

In article <1313@daisy.UUCP> wooding@daisy.UUCP (Mike Wooding) writes:
}In article <13979@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>, khayo@sonia.math.ucla.edu (Eric Behr) writes:
}< Downloaded from NASA SpaceLink BBS, Huntsville, Ala. (205) 895 0028
}< a radar altimeter to
}< measure the height of the ocean surface and waves; 
} 
} How does the radar altimeter decouple its "height" above ocean
} surface from the "height" of the ocean's surface? What scales
} are involved (+-10 meters)? A reference point?


There is an altimeter on the geosat that is a follow-up to the seasat
one.  I do the real-time processing of the data - you not only get
"height above ocean", but significant wave height, winds, and a measure
of roughness off the altimeter.  (probably more, but that is all I lift).
This can be used to get current "edges", fronts, eddy locations, and all
kinds of neat stuff.  I asked about satellite oceanography earlier, but
didn't hear about anyone else using altimeter data for oceanography.

Anyone else?

(geosat is run from here at APL, the only ground station)

oh yes - changes in ocean height varies greatly with where on the ocean
you get 'em.  Biggest off japan.....


Disclaimer: Individuals have opinions, organizations have policy.
            Therefore, these opinions are mine and not any organizations!
Q.E.D.
jwm@aplvax.jhuapl.edu 128.244.65.5  (James W. Meritt)