Microwave radiation is absorbed and emitted by the Earth's surface and atmosphere.
Consequently, one can infer the properties of the atmosphere by observing how the microwave radiation interacts with it. In contrast, the OLS sensor consists of a thermal infrared sensor with a band from 10 to 13 microns and a visible sensor with a band from 0.4 to 1.1 microns. I's horizontal and vertical polarizations. The ocean reflectivity provides a superior background for the accurate measurement of atmospheric properties such as cloud liquid water, rain rate, water vapor, and wind speed. I responds to the amount of liquid water within the cloud, not to its thickness.