WEB 16 1 Satellite Meteorology: Introduction

First Talk by Prof R Suresh in the series of five talks on Satellite Meteorology. The need for satellite observations for meteorology, the principles of the meteorological remote sensing and the characteristics of the meteorological satellites and the possible orbits are described. The meteorological remote sensing is quite different from the general remote sensing of resources. This involves the remote sensing of the atmosphere, the land and the ocean. The radiative transfer of the electromagnetic radiation in these geophysical systems is involved. Remote sensing from the infrared to the microwave part of the electromagnetic spectrum is required. Active remote sensing in recent times have significantly increased the scope of the satellite meteorology.