Space oceanography uses a number of different sciences to research the oceans that include physics, geology, biology, chemistry, and engineering (Cracknell 13). This is evident in the projects that send satellites into space for observation of our oceans. In 1992, the Topex/Poseidon project was launched to observe the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere (Cracknell 17). The Topex/Poseidon mission is to gather information about sea level heights and ocean currents (Cracknell 17). The Topex/Poseidon orbits above the earth at 840 miles and ha

Active instruments provide electromagnetic radiation to observe an object (Gautier 69). Satellites that use active instruments send a pulse of energy towards the object being observed, then wait for the energy to be reflected (Gautier 69). This energy is then picked up as weaker or stronger in areas, which can define what features the satellite is looking at (Gautier 70). Some active instruments are radar, scatterometer, and lidar (Gautier 71). Radar uses radio or microwaves to emit electromagnetic radiation upon an object and record the time between when the energy leaves and comes back (Gautier71). A scatterometer uses microwaves the same way as radar, but it can measure wind speed and direction (Gautier71). Lidar uses lasers to transmit a light source on the object being observed, they can calculate a number of elements in the atmosphere (Gautier 71). With all of this scientists are able to determine the heights of the oceans, able to predict weather patterns and the effects on the ocean.

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 never in orbit) used movie cameras to photograph the surface (Pinet 182). The first manned shuttles took pictures of Earth and realized there were many observations of the oceans to be made (Pinet 182). Soon remote sensing came into action as satellites were sent into orbit (Pinet 182).

Oceanography is a new scien

Some common words found in the essay are:
Earth Gautier, Projects Space, GOES Figure, Future Unmanned, Space Introduction, Angola Figure, Topex/Poseidon Figure, War II, Sun Gautier, Conclusion Oceanography, electromagnetic radiation, ocean currents, pinet 182, beacon earth, space systems, active instruments, cracknell 17, pinet 181, remote sensing, information sea level, el nino, oceanography viewed space, cracknell 17 topex/poseidon, unmanned space systems, world war ii,
Approximate Word count = 1199
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)