2008 Images of the Month

Monsoon is a coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomena that impacts a huge number of people. Altimetry satellites can provide information about the ocean, but also about the atmosphere, using the onboard radiometer measurements.

Small icebergs in open seas can be detected using altimetry, in the return echoes (or waveforms). Such detection can help counting the icebergs, and thus the ice caps response to climate.

Altimetry can be used to compute thread-like structures below its nominal spatial resolution. Those filaments are important in ocean transport and mixing.

Altimetry can be used to check the quality of the global Argo in situ array of profiling floats

Planetary waves and eddies are features that can be observed in altimetry sea level anomaly maps. Separating them enable to better understand both.

Jason-2 was launched on June 20. After just two weeks, first results are promising, close to Jason-1's.

Altimeter measurements can be used in conjunction with the onboard radiometer to define ice classification for ice sheets. Such a classification can lead to climate indicators of the "health" of Greenland and Antarctic ice.

Sea level rise monitoring is an important climate indicator. Altimetry has been measuring its evolution for more than 15 years, with numerous research projects.

Altimetry enables to spot eddies in the ocean. In situ data complement the sea surface height measurements, in particular by looking in depth.

Black Sea is a singular body of water. Altimetry observes its circulations, including eddies.

Altimetry can be used to monitor the level of the numerous reservoirs and lakes, as well as the marshes of the Tigris-Euphrates basin.

Altimetry was used to forecast the currents carrying pumice rafts, and thus their trajectory across Pacific