SENSING OF A RAIN-DISTURBED SEA SURFACE BY ALMAZ-1 RADAR AND MICROWAVE RADIOMETERS

Abstract

The results of microwave remote sensing of the sea surface in the Atlantic Ocean by Almaz-1 spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR), as well as radiometers carried aboard the Akademik Ioffe scientific research ship, are presented. The observations were made when there was considerable perturbation of the ocean surface by heavy rainfall. Measurements of the intensity of radiothermal emission on the basis of multifrequency remote sensing data made it possible to obtain estimates of the intensity of rain, traces of which appeared on the radar image in the form of dark spots, indicating a decrease in the strength of the signal return. The physical mechanisms of the impact of rain on surface waves are discussed.