Cassini observes the Earth with Ku-band radar and radiometry

The authors discuss the passive and active Ku-band observations of the Earth made by the Cassini RADAR during its Earth swingby. The brightness temperature data show an abrupt transition at the ocean-land boundary, and more subtle details over South America. The backscatter data show a low wind region off the west coast of South America, consistent with QuikSCAT observations, followed by higher backscatter levels over the land area.