Chapter 6
SATELLITE MEASUREMENTS FOR
OPERATIONAL OCEAN MODELS
Ian Robinson
Southampton Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, U.K.
Abstract:
This chapter outlines the character of ocean measurements from satellites in
relation to their use by operational ocean forecasting models. Following a
generic introduction to the field of satellite oceanography, it outlines the basic
remote sensing methodology for measuring some key variables used by
models; sea surface height from altimetry, ocean colour, sea surface
temperature and ocean waves. It then presents the approach adopted by an
international programme for combining sea surface temperature data from
many sources, as an example of the issues involved in effectively preparing
satellite data for ingestion into models. It concludes with comments on the
actions needed to achieve the integration of satellite and in situ data with
ocean models in an operational system.
Key words: Satellite oceanography, altimetry, sea surface height, ocean colour, sea-surface
temperature, ocean waves, GODAE, ocean models, GHRSST.
1.
Introduction
The purpose of this chapter is to outline the basic characteristics of ocean
measurements obtained from Earth-orbiting satellites. It introduces the
reader to the subject within the particular context of considering how
satellite ocean data can be used operationally to support model based ocean
observing and forecasting systems.
After 25 years in which a number of methodologies have been developed
to measure different aspects of the surface ocean, there are now many
satellite-derived ocean data products available. A new generation of
oceanographers takes it almost for granted that they can find global datasets
of sea surface temperature and ocean colour, or detailed images of a
particular ocean area, readily accessible through the Internet. The impact of
the global revolution in telecommunication, capable of transporting
147
E. P. Chassignet and J. Verron (eds.), Ocean Weather Forecasting, 147-189.
© 2006 Springe Printed in the Netherlands.
r.
SATELLITE MEASUREMENTS FOR
OPERATIONAL OCEAN MODELS
Ian Robinson
Southampton Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, U.K.
Abstract:
This chapter outlines the character of ocean measurements from satellites in
relation to their use by operational ocean forecasting models. Following a
generic introduction to the field of satellite oceanography, it outlines the basic
remote sensing methodology for measuring some key variables used by
models; sea surface height from altimetry, ocean colour, sea surface
temperature and ocean waves. It then presents the approach adopted by an
international programme for combining sea surface temperature data from
many sources, as an example of the issues involved in effectively preparing
satellite data for ingestion into models. It concludes with comments on the
actions needed to achieve the integration of satellite and in situ data with
ocean models in an operational system.
Key words: Satellite oceanography, altimetry, sea surface height, ocean colour, sea-surface
temperature, ocean waves, GODAE, ocean models, GHRSST.
1.
Introduction
The purpose of this chapter is to outline the basic characteristics of ocean
measurements obtained from Earth-orbiting satellites. It introduces the
reader to the subject within the particular context of considering how
satellite ocean data can be used operationally to support model based ocean
observing and forecasting systems.
After 25 years in which a number of methodologies have been developed
to measure different aspects of the surface ocean, there are now many
satellite-derived ocean data products available. A new generation of
oceanographers takes it almost for granted that they can find global datasets
of sea surface temperature and ocean colour, or detailed images of a
particular ocean area, readily accessible through the Internet. The impact of
the global revolution in telecommunication, capable of transporting
147
E. P. Chassignet and J. Verron (eds.), Ocean Weather Forecasting, 147-189.
© 2006 Springe Printed in the Netherlands.
r.