Linear retrieval, validation and mapping of the sea surface temperature over western mid-latitude North Pacific using Seasat SMMR data

Abstract The Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) aboard the Seasat satellite measured emitted radiation in both horizontal and vertical polarizations at microwave frequencies of 6.6, 1069, 18.0, 21.0 and 37.0 GHz. Retrieval algorithms, for sea surface temperature (SST) determination, from subsets of one to three SMMR channels, are obtained by a two-step statistical technique. The technique first selects the best subsets of a given size defined by an R2 criterion (coefficient of determination), of a given size by the application of an efficient leaps and bounds technique on a statistical data base. It then performs a regression analysis on the selected subsets. The statistical data base employed a large (600) set of seasonally and geographically diverse atmospheric and surface parameters for radiative transfer calculations. The results of the study of one to three-channel subset retrieval algorithms indicate the possibility of using 6.6 V, 6.6 H and 18 V channels for SST determinatidn from Se...