Goasex Observations of Seasat SAR Cross-Section Modulation from Surface Winds

Seasat radar observations of the ocean in the Gulf of Alaska by the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and the Wind Speed Scatterometer (SASS) indicates that L-band backscatter is modulated by wind speed and possibly by wind direction. In particular, L-band radar cross-section of the ocean at 23°+3° angle of incidence and wind speeds between 5m/s and 20m/s is related to wind speed and direction by the following: σ_O α U^a (1 + b cos (2φ)) where σ_O = L-band radar cross-section U = wind speed φ = wind-radar angle a = 0.5 + 0.1 b = 0.05 +_ 0.05 This relationship suggests that a combination of Seasat SAR and Scatterometer data may yield high resolution maps of surface winds.