1. New Ocean Technology Satellite Technology Kelsey Loucks

2. Ocean Currents According to Wikipedia, ocean surface currents are continuous, directed movement of ocean water produced by a number of forces acting upon the water. These forces include: Earth’s rotation Wind Temperature Salinity Gravitation of the moon Depth of ocean water Shoreline

3. Ocean Currents Ocean surface currents help scientists determine: Direction of wind-useful for travel Climate-useful for predicting weather patterns Marine biology-useful for identifying typical marine life found in the various environments within each current system

4. Ocean Currents The first ocean surface current to be measured was the Gulf Stream, found in the Atlantic Ocean Benjamin Franklin was the first scientist to chart the Gulf Stream in the 1770s Observation and temperature calculation was the first form of technology used to chart ocean currents

5. History of Technology Mooring technique followed the observational data Moored instruments are set in the ocean at various depths and distances Data is retrieved by ship from an acoustic signal and accurately measures ocean current

6. History of Technology Current Meters were the next type of technology Current meters measure the velocity of water There are various types of current meters, but all generally operate using the same principle

7. History of Technology Wave Radar was the next developed form of current technology Various wave radar techniques have been developed to measure ocean currents Of these types, the HF radar is one of the more commonly used radars that measure ocean currents

8. HF Radar HF Radar has proven to be widely efficient in measuring ocean currents However, HF Radar has a 15 minute delay of measuring and recording ocean currents Ideally scientists wanted to develop a technology that would produce real time data

9. Technologies used to measure ocean currents

10. New Satellite Radar New satellite radar technique was the result scientists were looking for The satellite radar uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments that record microwave radar backscatter Doppler shift of the electromagnetic waves reflected from the water surface is also used in the satellite

11. About Satellite Radar The Doppler shift occurs due to changing velocities The Doppler shift occurs because of three factors Motion between the satellite platform Rotation of the Earth Velocity of the SAR backscatter from the water IMPLICATIONS: scientists are able to determine how surface winds and currents contribute to the Doppler shift producing accurate ocean currents

12. Advantages Using satellite radar, oceanographers can better understand: Strength and variability of currents Relevance currents have with climate change The technology employed by the radar satellite has also improved 3-dimensional ocean models

13. Future Technology Oceanographers have already begun developing other satellite technology Sentinel-1 is expected for launch in 2011 It uses similar principles as the satellite radar to provide rapid accurate information 24/7 A great benefit to this developing technology is its ability to operate in crisis situations

14. Conclusion Satellite radar is beneficial Helpful with weather and climate predictions Useful for studying biology and land forecasting in a given environment or current system Real time data provides immediate, accurate results for scientists and the public Able to predict the transportation of pollutants Satellite radar has paved the way for increasing technology in the field of ocean currents Overall research, data and results of the ocean that were once extremely limited to observation are now possible from space in seconds