Module Content

Getting started
Information about the Bilko software, and hints on using the teaching module.

Introducing Bilko
The ten tutorial sections teach how to process and display remote sensing data using the Bilko software: Images, histograms, stretches, palettes, filters, 3-D data sets, transects, image calculations, masks, geo-correction, and more.

The Thematic Lessons

L1. Measuring phytoplankton productivity with MERIS
Ocean colour measurements are a valuable tool for for anyone wanting to study ocean productivity. The lesson looks at different ways to provide estimates of phytoplankton abundance in different types of seawater, both in coastal waters and the open ocean.
Author: V.Byfield, National Oceanography Centre (NOC), Southampton, UK.

L2. Internal Waves
The characteristic signatures of IWs, alternating bands of light and dark strips are among the most easily recognized phenomena observed in remote sensing imagery. The case studies in this lesson demonstrate methods for studying IWs observed in ERS, ASAR and MERIS images.
Author: J.daSilva, University of Lisbon, PL, with V.Byfield, NOC, Southampton, UK.

L3. Sea surface temperature (SST) from AATSR
AATSR is the third in a series of instrument providing highly accurate SST measurements for use in climate research. This lesson shows how measurements of sea surface skin temperature are derived from AATSR top of the atmosphere (TOA) data products.
Author: C.Donlon, The Met Office, UK, with V. Byfield, NOC, Southampton, UK.

L4. Global sea surface temperature patterns
SST is widely used to study upper ocean physical and biogeochemical processes and as an indicator for climate variation. This lesson teaches how to understand and utilize global SST data products derived from microwave and infrared satellite instruments.    
Author: C.Donlon, The Met Office, UK

L5. The Benguela Current System
One of four eastern boundary upwelling systems, the Benguela is highly productive and supports one of the world's richest fisheries. Using the Benguela as an example, the lesson shows how data from MERIS, AATSR and other sensors are used to study the physical and biological processes characteristic of coastal upwelling regions.    
Authors: F.Shillington, S.Bernard, N.Chang, University of Cape Town, ZA, with V.Byfield, NOC.

L6. Ocean eddies
Eddies can cause large changes in current speed and direction over small areas, and are one of the main mechanisms for mixing water from different sources. The lesson shows how measurements of sea surface temperature (SST) and height (SSH) from Envisat and other satellites are used to study these highly dynamic features.
Authors: D.McNeall and V.Byfield, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK.

L7. Surface glitter patterns in the Ocean
Sea surface roughness and sun-glitter patterns can reveal thin films of organic material on the sea surface. SAR is now used to monitor oil spills, but caution is necessary to avoid false positives. With examples from MERIS, ASAR and CHRIS-PROBA, this lesson looks at surface slicks in satellite images. Area of current research
Authors: J.daSilva, University of Lisbon, PL and V.Byfield, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK.

L8. Determining rain rate at sea
The ocean holds 98% of Earth's water. Exchange with water vapour in the atmosphere is a key part of the global hydrological cycle and a powerful factor in our climate system. The lesson looks at efforts to detect rainfall at sea by combining cloud-top measurements from AATSR with data from RA-2 and the MWR radiometer.
Authors: G.Quartly, and V.Byfield, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK.