Abstract
By providing data of higher spatial resolution and, in some cases, of higher absolute accuracy, satellite infrared scanning radiometers complement those detecting microwave radiation. Infrared measurements are, however, much more susceptible to contamination by the presence of cloud. In this paper the physical principles of the emission of infrared radiation from the sea-surface and its transfer through the atmosphere are presented. There follows descriptions of two satellite radiometers: the operational AVHRR and experimental ATSR/M. The method of retrieving quantitative measurements of SST is given and applications of infrared radiometer data are discussed.