Department Seminars

General Information

When: Thursdays from 4:00–4:50 p.m.
Where: 1170 TMCB

David Long
BYU Center for Remote Sensing
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

2007-11-08

Iceberg! A Remote Sensing Story

Remote sensing is the study of the environment from a distance. Recent developments in new satellite-based radar sensors and computer processing techniques offer unique perspectives of our planet. Using data from a radar scatterometer (which measures the microwave scattering properties of the surface), the near-surface vector wind over the ocean can be inferred. The observations can also be used over land to study deforestation of tropical rain forest and desertification. Over the glaciated regions of Greenland and Antarctica, the radar signal is very sensitive to melting conditions and can thus be used to monitor global warming conditions. The contrast between ocean and ice scattering enables tracking of major icebergs around Antarctica regardless of the weather or solar illumination conditions. Radar scatterometers are now essential tools for iceberg tracking and have provided an important clue about climate change. The story of finding a Utah county-sized iceberg from a spacecraft is presented along with the finding of a lost city using a radar onboard the space shuttle.