Title :
Concepts for a geostationary microwave imaging sounder (GeoMIS)
Author :
Savage, Richard C. ; Smith, Eric A. ; Mugnai, Alberto
Author_Institution :
Hughes Inf. Technol. Corp., Franktown, CO, USA
Abstract :
The high frequencies (and short wavelengths) suited for atmospheric monitoring do not require a large aperture. An antenna of 3.5 meters diameter-comparable to communications antennas already in use-would give spatial resolution better than that from low-orbit microwave sensors, such as SSM/I and AMSU. The authors compare the expected capability of such a sensor with needs enunciated by Shenk et al. (1987), with emphasis on severe storms and tropical cyclones. The short-wavelength microwave spectrum enhances the optimization of spatial and temporal resolution over a compact part of the spectrum where profiles of temperature and moisture; as well as imagery of clouds and precipitation can all be obtained. Such a capability provides profiles under clouds; and precipitation mapping, as IR sensors do not. More than mere mapping of precipitation is possible, though minute-by-minute observation of storm structure, the presence of hail, and possible flooding are great improvements over occasional observations by low-Earth orbiters
Keywords :
atmospheric humidity; atmospheric measuring apparatus; atmospheric temperature; meteorology; microwave imaging; microwave measurement; radiometry; remote sensing; storms; 100 GHz; GeoMIS; atmospheric monitoring; clouds; flooding; geostationary microwave imaging sounder; hail; moisture; precipitation; severe storms; short-wavelength microwave spectrum; spatial resolution; temperature; temporal resolution; tropical cyclones; Acoustic imaging; Atmospheric waves; Clouds; Frequency; High-resolution imaging; Microwave antennas; Microwave imaging; Monitoring; Spatial resolution; Storms;
Conference_Titel :
Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 1995. IGARSS '95. 'Quantitative Remote Sensing for Science and Applications', International
Conference_Location :
Firenze
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-2567-2
DOI :
10.1109/IGARSS.1995.520483