Determination of the Sea Surface Slope Distribution and Wind Velocity using Sun Glitter Viewed from a Synchronous Satellite

Abstract

This work demonstrates the feasibility of determining the east-west component of the sea surface slope distribution from a synchronous satellite, through quantitative analysis of the sun glitter. The Cox-Munk sun glitter technique, utilizing a single photograph of the whole-sun glitter pattern, taken from an aircraft altitude, is adapted to a much higher altitude. This is done by making a sequence of light intensity measurements, reflected from a single point on the ocean, as this fixed point scans the westward moving sun glitter pattern. Wind velocity is calculated from the slope variance, using the Cox-Munk empirical relation. Calculated wind velocities for three locations in the Pacific, on two separate days, are compared to direct wind measurements taken at these locations during the Line Islands Experiment. The agreement is within ±1 m sec−1.