Thermal remote sensing of sea surface temperature

Abstract

Sea surface temperature has been an important application of remote sensing from space for three decades. This chapter first describes well-established methods that have delivered valuable routine observations of sea surface temperature for meteorology and oceanography. Increasingly demanding requirements, often related to climate science, have highlighted some limitations of these approaches. Practitioners have had to revisit techniques of estimation, of characterising uncertainty, and of validating observations - and even to reconsider the meaning(s) of "sea surface temperature". The current understanding of these issues is reviewed, drawing attention to ongoing questions. Lastly, the prospect for thermal remote sensing of sea surface temperature over coming years is discussed.