Marine Science Faculty Publications
Gravimetric Methods – Satellite Altimeter Measurements
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2015
Keywords
Calibration/validation, Gravity, Jason-1, Jason-2, Ocean Surface Topography Mission, Precise orbit determination, Satellite altimeter, Sea level, Sea state bias, TOPEX/Poseidon
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53802-4.00063-4
Abstract
Satellite altimetry has become an important tool for studying the Earth's oceans. Here, we summarize the basic concepts of satellite radar altimeters, starting from how range is measured, how the precise orbit height is calculated, and how these are combined to determine sea surface height (SSH). Corrections needed to account for path delays of the radar pulse in the atmosphere and biases at the surface are also discussed. These include the ionosphere, wet troposphere, and dry troposphere atmospheric corrections and the sea state bias and inverted barometer surface corrections. The calibration and verification of the SSH measurement are explained, using specific examples from TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, and Jason-2/Ocean Surface Topography Mission. We also comment on some geophysical applications of the altimeter measurement, including measuring the ocean geoid, bathymetry, and global mean sea level. In closing, we briefly discuss other types of satellite altimeters, including laser, delay-Doppler, and wide swath altimeters.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Gravimetric Methods – Satellite Altimeter Measurements, in G. Schubert (Ed.), Treatise on Geophysics (Second Edition), v. 3, Elsevier, p. 117-149
Scholar Commons Citation
Chambers, D. P., "Gravimetric Methods – Satellite Altimeter Measurements" (2015). Marine Science Faculty Publications. 1386.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/1386
