The speed of winds over the earth's oceans
| This image shows the speed of winds, signified byt the color, above the surface of the ocean (blue is the slowest and red is the fastest). The information used to make this image was gathered by a satellite called QuikSCAT, which uses radar to measure the ocean waves. This type of instrument is called a scatterometer. By knowing the size of the waves and the direction they are traveling, scientists can determine the wind speed and direction. The regions with no arrows over the oceans were not observed by the satellite during that day. |
Credit: QuikSCAT instrument, courtesy NASA/JPL PODAAC. Image copyright Rice University.
For more info: http://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/quikscat/index.html