This book combines theoretical concepts with experimental results on thermal microwave radiation to advance the understanding of the complex nature of terrestrial media. With the emphasis on radiative transfer models the book covers the most urgent needs for the transition from the experimental phase of microwave remote sensing to operational applications. All terrestrial aspects are covered from the clear to the cloudy atmosphere, precipitation, ocean and land surfaces, vegetation, snow and ice.

A chapter on new results of microwave dielectric properties of natural media, covering wavelengths from the decimetre to the submillimetre range, will be a source for further radiative transfer developments, extending the applicability to radar and other electromagnetic tools, and including extraterrestrial objects, such as planets and comets.

The book resulted from a continued collaboration set up by the European COST Action No. 712 Application of Microwave Radiometry to Atmospheric Research and Monitoring (1996-2000). The aims of the action were to improve the application of microwave radiometry with emphasis on meteorology.

About the Author
Christian Matzler is Titularprofessor in applied physics and remote sensing at the Institute of Applied Physics, University of Bern. He has conducted research at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland and at the ETH, Zurich. Returning to the University of Bern in 1978 he now leads the Project Group Radiometry for environmental monitoring on the propagation, emission and scattering of electromagnetic radiation in snow and ice, soil and vegetation, and in the atmosphere for the advancement of remote sensing with emphasis on microwave radiometry. Christian Matzler is a member of the International Astronomical Union, the International Glaciological Society, the Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society of IEEE, the Swiss Society of Astronomy and Astrophysics, the Swiss Commission of Remote Sensing, and the Swiss Commission of Space Research. He also is an active member of advisory groups at the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT.


Book Information
ISBN 9780863415739
Author C. Matzler
Format Hardback
Page Count 584
Imprint Institution of Engineering and Technology
Publisher Institution of Engineering and Technology