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SeaWIFS-derived average sea surface
chlorophyll for the period 1998 to 2006.
SeaWiFS stands for Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor. It is the only scientific instrument on GeoEye's OrbView-2 (AKA SeaStar) satellite, and was a follow-on experiment to the Coastal Zone Color Scanner on Nimbus 7. Launched August 1, 1997 on an Orbital Sciences Pegasus small airlaunched rocket, the instrument began scientific operations on 18 September 1997. The sensor resolution is 1.1 km (LAC), 4.5 km (GAC). The sensor records information in the following optical bands:
| Band |
Wavelength |
| 1 |
402-422 nm |
| 2 |
433-453 nm |
| 3 |
480-500 nm |
| 4 |
500-520 nm |
| 5 |
545-565 nm |
| 6 |
660-680 nm |
| 7 |
745-785 nm |
| 8 |
845-885 nm |
The instrument has been specifically designed to monitor ocean characteristics such as chlorophyll-a concentration and water clarity. The instrument is able to tilt up to 20 degrees to avoid sunlight from the sea surface. This feature is important at equatorial latitudes where glint from sunlight often obscures water colour.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Cracknell, A. P., S. K. Newcombe, A. F. Black and N. E. Kirby (2001). The ABDMAP (Algal Bloom Detection, Monitoring and Prediction) Concerted Action. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 22: 205-247
[edit] External links
