| Satellite sea surface temperature (SST) provides both a synoptic
view of the ocean and a high frequency of repeat views, allowing
the examination of basin-wide upper ocean dynamics. SST shows many
of the world's major currents, such as the Gulf Stream; it can also
show current-related anomalies such as cold and warm core eddies.
A given area may be viewed four or more times per day, and the resolution
of the imagery is 1 to 4 kilometers.
The satellite measures two or more wavelengths in the infrared
part of the spectrum; these wavelengths are chosen to be within
the peak of the blackbody radiation expected from the Earth and
to transmit through the atmosphere. This method of measurement
represents the temperature of the "skin" of the ocean, approximately
the surface one millimeter (1 mm) or less, and it may not represent
the bulk temperature of the upper meter of ocean.
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