Syllabus
Subject Code: CL6L128 Name: Satellite Oceanography and L-T-P: 3- Credit:3
Meteorology 0-0
Pre-requisite(s):
Introduction to satellite remote sensing of the ocean; Propagation and sensing of EM waves and
their interaction and scattering with the ocean's surface; Atmospheric absorption andscattering of
microwave; visible and infrared radiation; Brief review of electromagnetic wave theory, antenna
patterns and ocean surface processes; Detailed survey of major instruments for measuring
Oceanographic and Atmospheric variables from space; Applications of visible, infrared, and
microwave observations using objective, multi-spectral, and characteristic vector analysis;
Emphasis on new methodologies, error assessments, sampling considerations and data
interpretation. Basic principles of retrieval of Geophysical, Ocean and Atmospheric Variable from
satellite platforms.
Text/Reference Books:
1. G.A.Maul. Introduction to Satellite Oceanography, Springer
2. Ian S. Robinson. Discovering The Ocean From Space, Springer
3. Kidder and Vonder Harr. Satellite Meteorology: An Introduction, Gulf Professional
4. John R Jensen. Remote Sensing of the Environment: An Earth Resource Perspective, Pearson
Prentice Hall
5. R RKelkar. Satellite Meteorology, BS Publications
Brief Pointers to the Basics of Satellite Oceanography & Meteorology
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Microwave Bands
Spectral Characteristics of Energy Sources and Sensing Systems
Basic Satellite Orbits
Polar Orbiting (LEOS) - (POES) Geostationary (Geosynchronous) - (GOES)
• Takes about 90 minutes to make one • Remains over same portion of planet (Period
revolution of revolution is same as Earth’s rotation)
• Covers different areas during each orbit as • Can provide full disk or smaller views
Earth rotates
• Useful for weather and communication
• Provides detailed images
• Can produce time sequence
Sensor Resolutions
Spatial: capability of sensor to discriminate the smallest object on the ground of different sizes
Temporal: capability to view the same target, under similar conditions, at regular intervals
Spectral: the spectral bandwidth with which the data is collected. In the first instance, a sensor's
spectral resolution specifies the number of spectral bands in which the sensor can collect
reflected radiance.
Radiometric: capability of the sensor to discriminate two targets based on its
reflectance/emittance difference (measured in terms of the smallest reflectance/emittance that
can be detected)
Types of Sensors: Active & Passive
Radiation Laws:
Planck’s Law
Stefan-Boltzman Law
Wein’s Law (High Frequency) / Rayleigh-Jeans Law
Steps in Satellite Measurements
Atmospheric Correction
Atmospheric Emmitance & Transmittance
Atmospheric Correction using same Sensor
Calibration with Ground Data
Satellite Data Formats and Levels
