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Hovis, W. A., Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to Hovis, W. A., Jr..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Spectral structure of the field of solar radiation reflected from the ocean/atmosphere system

The statistical characteristics of the spectral structure of the brightness field of the ocean/atmosphere system are determined from the spectra of incident radiation and the radiation reflected from the ocean, obtained from aircraft (Conveyor 990) at heights of 0.3 and 10 km above the Atlantic Ocean. Analysis of the spectral structure reveals a weak correlation between atmospheric brightness variations in the 0.4 to 0.5 micron and 0.55 to 0.70 micron regions of the spectrum. This is attributed to the possible influence of variations of the scattering coefficient or optical thickness on the brightness variations (whose sign depends on the predominance of damping or multiple scattering in a given spectral region).

Malkevich, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Atmospheric transformation of solar radiation reflected from the ocean

Airborne measurements of the brightness spectrum of the Atlantic Ocean in the wavelength region from 0.4 to 0.7 micron are analyzed. These measurements were made over a tropical region of the Atlantic from an aircraft at heights of 0.3 and 10.5 km during the TROPEX-72 experiment. The results are used to estimate the contribution of the atmosphere to the overall brightness of the ocean-atmosphere system. It is concluded that: (1) the atmosphere decreases the absolute brightness of the ocean by a factor of 5 to 10 and also strongly affects the spectral behavior of solar radiation reflected from the ocean surface; (2) the atmospheric contribution to overall brightness may vary considerably under real conditions; (3) finely dispersed particles and Rayleigh scattering affect the spectral distribution of solar radiation; and (4) the spectral composition of ocean-atmosphere brightness may be completely governed by the atmosphere.

Malkevich, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Ocean color measurement from high altitude

Investigations into the feasibility of sensing ocean color from high altitude for determination of chlorophyll and sediment distributions have been carried out using sensors on NASA aircraft, coordinated with surface measurements carried out by oceanographic vessels. Spectrometer measurements in 1971 and 1972 led to development of an imaging sensor now flying on a NASA U-2 and the Coastal Zone Color Scanner to fly on Nimbus G in 1978. Results of the U-2 effort have shown the imaging sensor to also be of great value in sensing pollutants in the ocean.

Hovis, W. A., Jr.↗