Maps from space. (Diagram-Reading/Chart-Making Skills).What's the height of the ocean surface? And how level is it? Scientists can determine the actual elevation within 4.5 centimeters (1.8 inches) thanks to satellites carrying radar altimeters A type of absolute altimeter which measures vertical distance to the surface below using radar technology. See also absolute altimeter. . An altimeter altimeter (ăltĭm`ĭtər, ăl`tĭmē'tər), device for measuring altitude. The most common type is an aneroid barometer calibrated to show the drop in atmospheric pressure in terms of linear elevation as an airplane, works by bouncing microwave (invisible light) beams off the ocean surface and receiving them back at the spacecraft spacecraft Vehicle designed to operate, with or without a crew, in a controlled flight pattern above Earth's lower atmosphere. Since streamlining is not needed in the high vacuum of this environment, a spacecraft's shape is designed according to its mission (see . The amount of time it takes the signal to return determines the distance between the spacecraft and ocean surface--the farther the distance, the longer it takes for the pulse to return. The data is then compared to a reference mathematical model
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The following exercise uses data collected from TOPEX/Poseidon, an earlier mission, to study the relationship between ocean-floor topography topography (təpŏg`rəfē), description or representation of the features and configuration of land surfaces. Topographic maps use symbols and coloring, with particular attention given to the shape and elevations of terrain. and ocean-surface topography. 1. FIGURE A is a map of the North Atlantic Ocean North Atlantic Ocean The northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, extending northward from the equator to the Arctic Ocean. . The curve represents the path of TOPEX/Poseidon as it orbits above. The satellite is measuring a 1,800 km (1,119 mi)-long segment between latitudes 26 [degrees] N and 40 [degrees] N. Mark an "X" at the beginning and end of this segment on the map. 2. FIGURE B is filled with the satellite's collected data on sea-surface height. The data is in meters above or below the reference ellipsoidal shape of Earth's sea surface. Where is the highest and lowest sea surface located in this segment of the North Atlantic Ocean? 3. Convert the data from FIGURE B into a line graph In graph theory, the line graph L(G) of an undirected graph G is a graph such that
ANSWERS Diagram-Reading/Chart-Reading Skills: Maps From Space 2. Lowest: 26 [degrees] N, Highest: 36 [degrees] N 4. Lowest: near 26 [degrees] N, Highest: near 36 [degrees] N 5. Research shows that without factors such as seasonal changes, tides, or currents, the topography of the sea surface generally mimics the shape of the underlying ocean topography. This activity shows that features like sea-floor ridges might result in variations of sea-surface height. |
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