A new operational sensor will be on board the next polar-orbiting defense Meteorological Satellite Program spacecraft, which is scheduled to be launched in June 1987. It is called the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I). The SSM/I is a seven channel, four frequency linearly polarized, passive microwave radiometer. The SSM/I will provide estimates of several surface and atmospheric parameters. One of the parameters is cloud amount (percent cloud coverage), which is the topic of this report. SSM/I cloud amount estimates will include some of the situations in which there are difficulties with the Air Force Global Weather Central's Real-Time Nephanalysis automated global cloud analysis using visible and infrared satellite data. Hughes Aircraft Company developed two algorithms for estimating cloud amounts from SSM/I brightness temperatures. One is applicable over snow backgrounds; the other, over land backgrounds. However, it is not possible to obtain cloud amount estimates for land covered with vegetation. No cloud amount estimation algorithms for ocean or oceanic ice backgrounds were required to be developed; even though the potential over both of these backgrounds is good.

The oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface, and are critical components of Earth’s climate system. This new edition of Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences, Six Volume Set summarizes the breadth of knowledge about them, providing revised, up to date entries as well coverage of new topics in the field. New and expanded sections include microbial ecology, high latitude systems and the cryosphere, climate and climate change, hydrothermal and cold seep systems. The structure of the work provides a modern presentation of the field, reflecting the input and different perspective of chemical, physical and biological oceanography, the specialized area of expertise of each of the three Editors-in-Chief. In this framework maximum attention has been devoted to making this an organic and unified reference. Represents a one-stop. organic information resource on the breadth of ocean science research Reflects the input and different perspective of chemical, physical and biological oceanography, the specialized area of expertise of each of the three Editors-in-Chief New and expanded sections include microbial ecology, high latitude systems and climate change Provides scientifically reliable information at a foundational level, making this work a resource for students as well as active researches