Application of passive microwave polarimetry for sea surface parameters retrieval

The results of the Joint United States/Russia Internal Wave Remote Sensing Experiment (JUSREX'92) are presented. A Russian research aircraft, TU-134, equipped with both optical and microwave instruments participated in the experiment. In situ data were obtained from the "Akademik Ioffe", a research vessel equipped with contact and remote sensing instruments. To determine surface wind speed and direction, Ka-band nadir-viewing polarimeter was used. Sea surface temperature was measured by means of the S-band radiometer. Brightness temperature and wind vector data were related to true surface data. Wind and temperature fields retrieved from radiometer data were compared with side-looking radar images. The combined analysis of passive and active microwave instrument data has proved important for furthering our understanding of the ocean-atmosphere interaction.