Summary
(Summary adapted from the SeaWinds ATBD pdf file and the Winds web site)

The purpose of the SeaWinds Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document
(ATBD) is to describe the theoretical bases for the major scientific
algorithms that will be used in processing the SeaWinds (SWS) data.
Satellite-borne radar scatterometers, such as "SeaWinds",
are the only remote ... sensing systems presently capable of providing
accurate, frequent, high-resolution measurements of ocean
near-surface wind speed and direction in both clear-sky and cloudy
conditions. However, scatterometer measurements are highly indirect,
and significant processing is required to estimate near-surface
wind velocity from the backscattered power measured directly by the
scatterometer.

Knowledge of wind velocity over the ocean is of critical importance
for understanding and predicting many oceanographic, meteorological,
and climate phenomena. Measurements of surface wind velocity can be
assimilated into regional and global numerical weather prediction
systems, thereby extending and improving our ability to predict future
weather patterns on many scales. The SeaWinds instrument on the
QuikSCAT satellite is a specialized microwave radar that measures
near-surface wind speed and direction under all weather and cloud
conditions over Earth's oceans.

Related URL

Link: VIEW RELATED INFORMATION Description: This web site contains graphical and historical information regarding the SeaWinds instument on board NASA's QuickScat ocean-viewing satellite. There is also a link to NASA's Planetary Photojournal which contains additional SeaWinds generated images.

Service Citation

Originators: M.H. Freilich, P.I. Title: SeaWinds Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document Provider: NASA URL: http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/eos_homepage/for_scientists/atbd/viewIn...

Service Keywords

DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION >CALIBRATION/VALIDATION

Science Keywords

OCEANS >OCEAN WINDS >SURFACE WINDS OCEANS >OCEAN CIRCULATION >WIND-DRIVEN CIRCULATION

ISO Topic Category

OCEANS

Project

EOSDIS >Earth Observing System Data Information System

Quality
This site is best suited for scientists and researchers.

Access Constraints
All ATBDs are provided in PDF format which can be viewed with Adobe
Acrobat. Adobe Acrobat is a freely downloadable document viewer.

SeaWinds QuikSCAT data are currently only available to members of the
QuikSCAT Science Team for cal/val purposes. Distribution to
the general public is expected to begin early in 2000 from the
Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center PO.DAAC at
http://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov.

Ancillary Keywords

wind stress wind velocity

Service Provider

NASA/GSFC/EOS/ESDIS > Earth Science Data and Information System Project, Earth Observing System,Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Service Organization URL: http://www.esdis.eosdis.nasa.gov/ Service Provider Personnel Name: DR. MICHAEL D. KING Phone: 301-614-5636 Fax: 301-614-5620 Email: michael.d.king at nasa.gov Contact Address: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Mailstop 610.0 City: Greenbelt Province or State: MD Postal Code: 20771 Country: USA

Distribution Media

Distribution_Media: Electronic Distribution_Size: 519 KB Distribution_Format: pdf file

Personnel

TYLER B. STEVENS Role: SERF AUTHOR Phone: (301) 614-6898 Fax: 301-614-5268 Email: Tyler.B.Stevens at nasa.gov Contact Address: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Global Change Master Directory City: Greenbelt Province or State: MD Postal Code: 20771 Country: USA MICHAEL H. FREILICH Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT Phone: 541-737-2748 Fax: 541-737-2064 Email: mhf at oce.orst.edu Contact Address: College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences Oregon State University Oceanographic Admin. Bldg. 104 City: Corvallis Province or State: OR Country: United States

Publications/References
Numerous references are available starting on page 54 of the SeaWinds
ATBD pdf file.

Creation and Review Dates

SERF Creation Date: 1999-11-04 SERF Last Revision Date: 2003-05-02

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