Sea surface topography retrieved from GNSS reflectometry phase data of the GEOHALO flight mission

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • A.M. Semmling - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam – Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (Autor:in)
  • J. Beckheinrich - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam – Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (Autor:in)
  • J. Wickert - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam – Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (Autor:in)
  • G. Beyerle - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam – Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (Autor:in)
  • S. Schön - , Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH) (Autor:in)
  • F. Fabra - , Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (ICE-CSIC) (Autor:in)
  • H. Pflug - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam – Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (Autor:in)
  • K. He - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam – Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (Autor:in)
  • Joachim Schwabe - , Professur für Geodätische Erdsystemforschung (Autor:in)
  • Mirko Scheinert - , Professur für Geodätische Erdsystemforschung (Autor:in)

Abstract

Sea surface topography observations are deduced from an airborne reflectometry experiment. A GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver dedicated for reflectometry was set up aboard the German HALO (High Altitude Long Range) research aircraft. Flights were conducted over the Mediterranean Sea about 3500 m above sea level. A signal path model divided into large- and small-scale contributions is used for phase altimetry. The results depict geoid undulations and resolve anomalies of the sea surface topography. For the whole experiment 65 tracks over the Mediterranean Sea are retrieved and compared with a topography model. Tracks differ between right-handed and left-handed circular polarization. The difference, however, is not significant for this study. Precision and spatial resolution decrease disproportionately at low elevations. Eight tracks with centimeter precision are obtained between 11° and 33° of elevation. At higher elevation angles the number of tracks is significantly reduced due to surface roughness. In future such retrievals could contribute to ocean eddy detection.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)954-960
FachzeitschriftGeophysical Research Letters
Jahrgang41
Ausgabenummer3
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2014
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

Scopus 84893636488
ORCID /0000-0002-0892-8941/work/142248875

Schlagworte

Fächergruppen, Lehr- und Forschungsbereiche, Fachgebiete nach Destatis

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Schlagwörter

  • GeoHALO, GNSS reflectrometry, sea surface topography