A simulation technique for the determination of atmospheric water content with Bhaskara satellite microwave radiometer (SAMIR)

Abstract

A simulation technique has been developed to estimate the integrated atmospheric water content over oceans using the 19·35 and 22·235 GHz brightness temperature data from satellite microwave radiometer (SAMIR) on board the Indian satellite Bhaskara. The results obtained have been compared with those from linear statistical regression and empirical methods as well as from the nearest radiosonde observations. Based on the simulation method, a map of total precipitable water for some of the Bhaskara passes in July 1980 over Bay of Bengal is given. The possible applications of such maps in the study of Indian summar monsoon and boundary layer characteristics have been pointed out.