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

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 "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.