Enhanced resolution Ku-band sigma-0 images of the earth 1978

This Seasat scatterometer (SASS) data set consists of enhanced
resolution radar backscatter (sigma0) images of the Earth's surface.
Images are generated on polar stereographic and Lambert equal area
grids at a pixel resolution of 4.45 km. The images cover a 97 day
time period during 1978.

Images are made from the Seasat Scatterometer Geophysical Record (GDR)
data files using the Scatterometer Image Reconstruction w/filtering
(SIRF) algorithm. For highest possible spatial resolution as well as
to ensure full coverage over the images, multiple orbit passes are
combined. Images of sigma0 at 40 deg incidence angle (A) in dB and
the slope of sigma0 versus incidence angle (B) in dB/deg, along with
auxilary parameters, are available.

The first wind scatterometer, the Ku-band SASS, demonstrated the
capability of a spaceborne scatterometer to measure ocean winds. SASS
also demonstrated the utility of scatterometer data in land and ice
studies. This 1978 data set provides a baseline for studies of global
change. SASS made approximately 50 km resolution sigma-0 measurements
over an irregularly spaced grid.

Originally developed to measure winds over the ocean from space,
scatterometer data has proved to be very useful in a variety of
studies including polar ice and tropical vegetation. In particular,
scatterometer measurements have demonstrated utility in monitoring
melting in Greenland, a leading indicator of global warming. Because
the scatterometer radar signal can penetrate the surface, a
scatterometer can resolve subsurface limate related features in snow
pack.

For more information link to the Scatterometer Climate Record
Pathfinder (SCP) at URL "http://www.scp.byu.edu/"

With their rapid global coverage, day or night and all-weather
operation, scatterometers offer a unique tools for long-term climate
studies. The goal of the SCP is to provide scatterometer-based
datasets to researchers involved in climate studies.