GEOSCIENCE

Research Vignette Specifications GEOSCIENCE

Research Vignette Specifications GEOSCIENCE

Oceanography as Viewed from Space Introduction At first thought, studying the oceans from space seems to be a bizarre idea. Space observation helps oceanographers do research with manned and unmanned space systems. The space systems can be satellites and/or space shuttles that observe various features of the ocean such as sea-surface winds, sea-surface temperatures, waves, ocean currents, frontal regions, and sea color. Technological advances have greatly improved the ability of oceanographers to gather and use information that is received.

Oceanography as viewed from space has and will become more and more valuable as we begin to understand more of the world's oceans. Projects Space oceanography uses a number of different sciences to research the oceans that include physics, geology, biology, chemistry, and engineering (Cracknell 13).

The beacon on earth processes this information so that scientists can use it. As the Topex/Poseidon nears the end of observation new developments are being made to continue with similar work. Jason 1 is an observation satellite that will look at extending research about the interaction of oceans with the atmosphere, improving predictions about the climate, continue to monitor El Nino, and observe ocean eddies (Cracknell 26). These satellites are leading the way to a better understanding of our oceans as well as weather on planet earth.

History Observations of oceanographic features with pictures were first realized with the invention of the camera (Pinet 181). Soon after the invention of the Camera, hot air balloons were used to take high altitude pictures of the land and sea, for mapping purposes (Pinet 181). In World War II, pilots took pictures of large areas of land that were used to develop strategies in the war (Pinet 181).

At the beginning of the space age, just after World War II, rockets (although ...