An experimental method of determining ballistic winds making direct use of SIRS radiances
By: by Russell L. Elsberry, John W. Wright and Frank L. Martin
Contributors: Wright, John W. D.; Martin, Frank L. (Frank Lionel), 1915-; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School
Published: 1971
Place of publication: Monterey, California
Language: eng
Number of pages: 41
Subjects: Nimbus; Astronautics in meteorology; Infrared spectroscopy
Description: A proposed ballistic wind determination technique using the satellite infrared spectrophotometer (SIRS) data from NIMBUS 3 and 4 was tested. The general approach was to derive regression equations from a dependent data sample of nearly coincident subsatellite points and rawinsonde locations. The validity of the equations was checked with a smaller independent sample of SIRS radiances from a later period. Tests with the ballistic wind component normal to the path of the NIMBUS 3 suggested standard errors of less than 10 kts can be achieved. Both zonal and meridional components can be calculated from SIRS-B radiance data which is grouped in clusters. Because the geostrophic ballistic wind is proportional to a horizontal gradient, several techniques were attempted for calculating the gradient at the central point of the irregularly spaced set of data. (Author)
Notes: Title from cover.

"December 1971"--Cover.

"NPS-51ES,MR71121A"--Cover.

DTIC Identifiers: NIMBUS 3 satellite, NIMBUS 4 satellite, ballistic winds, geostrophic wind.

Author(s) subject terms: Ballistic winds, satellite infrared spectrophotometer radieances, NIMBUS III, NIMBUS IV.

Includes bibliographical references (p. )

"Approved for public release; distribution unlimited"--Cover.

Technical report; 1971.