Satellite Measurements of Sea-Surface Temperature for Climate Research

Factors determining the accuracy with which the sea surface temperature can be measured from space using infrared radiometers are discussed. These include the clear atmosphere radiative effects, contamination of the signal by clouds in the field of view, and sun glitter at the 3.7 μm ‘atmospheric window’. The effects of near surface vertical temperature gradients caused by surface heat loss (the skin effect) and by solar heating (the diurnal thermocline) are also discussed. A review of present measurement capabilities is made and a brief description is given of the Along Track Scanning Radiometer (ATSR), which will fly on the European satellite ERS-1 to provide accurate measurements of sea surface temperature using a multi-angle, multichannel technique to overcome the effects of the clear atmopshere.

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