Satellite microwave radiometry

Abstract

Recent technological developments have enabled application of the techniques of radio astronomy to problems of earth and ocean physics. To illustrate these applications, we review results from the 19.35 GHz Electrically Scanned Microwave Radiometer (ESMR) now in operation on Nimbus 5. A composite image of the earth made from ESMR observations taken between January 12 and January 16, 1973 illustrates the wide range of physical effects in single channel microwave observations. Multi-frequency observations made from aircraft have demonstrated an even greater potential for satellite radiometry when several frequencies and polarizations are used simultaneously. As an illustration of the considerations required in multi-channel radiometry, we discuss the choice of frequencies for the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) planned for the Nimbus G satellite.