Satellite Altimetry
Satellite altimetry is a technique used to measure the height of the sea surface from space using radar or laser altimeters on board satellites. The altimeter sends a pulse of energy towards the Earth's surface and measures the time it takes for the pulse to bounce back to the satellite. This time delay is used to calculate the distance between the satellite and the sea surface. By combining this distance measurement with precise information about the satellite's orbit, scientists can create highly accurate maps of the ocean's surface topography, including the location and strength of ocean currents, the height of waves, and the shape of the sea floor. Satellite altimetry is an important tool for studying ocean circulation, climate change, and sea level rise.
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