The brightness reversal of submarine sand waves in “HJ-1A/B” CCD sun glitter images

Abstract

The brightness reversal of submarine sand waves appearing in the small satellite constellation for environment and disaster monitoring and forecasting (“HJ-1A/B”) CCD sun glitter images can affect the observation and depth inversion of sand wave topography. The simulations of the normalized sun glitter radiance on the submarine sand waves confirm that the reversal would happen at a specific sensor viewing angle, defined as the critical angle. The difference between the calculated critical angle position and the reversal position in the image is about 1′, which is excellent in agreement. Both the simulation and actual image show that sand wave crests would be indistinct at the reversal position, which may cause problems when using these sun glitter images to analyze spatial characteristics and migration of sand waves. When using the sun glitter image to obtain the depth inversion, one should take the advantage of image properties of sand waves and choose the location in between the reversal position and the brightest position. It is also necessary to pay attention to the brightness reversal when using “HJ-1A/B” CCD images to analyze other oceanic features, such as internal waves, oil slicks, eddies, and ship wakes.