Analysis of sea-surface polarization imagery of Hawaii environs obtained by the space shuttle

Miriam Sidran; Walter G. Egan

doi:10.1117/12.138822

8 December 1992 Analysis of sea-surface polarization imagery of Hawaii environs obtained by the space shuttle

Miriam Sidran, Walter G. Egan

Proceedings Volume 1747, Polarization and Remote Sensing; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138822
Event: San Diego '92, 1992, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Polarimetric images of the earth have been obtained for the first time by means of the Space Shuttle. These depict the environs of Hawaii in three visible bands of polarized light. A transect drawn on each image, crossing only cloud-free ocean areas, has both positive and negative polarization values along its path. These results are compared with those of several models, and with aircraft measurements of a haze-free, hydrosol-free ocean area, regarded as `air truth.' Based on the models and the air truth, the negative percent polarization values are attributed to haze, even though haze is not visible in a photograph taken from space. This haze obscures the effects of wind-generated surface roughness, and suspended hydrosols, so that they cannot be separately distinguished. The Hansen-Travis radiative transfer model predicts that the haze must have a large optical depth. The air truth shows that in the absence of haze, the wind velocity can be characterized by polarimetric measurements. The effect of hydrosols on polarization is not yet clear.

Citation Download Citation

Miriam Sidran and Walter G. Egan "Analysis of sea-surface polarization imagery of Hawaii environs obtained by the space shuttle", Proc. SPIE 1747, Polarization and Remote Sensing, (8 December 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138822

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