ABSTRACT
Introduction Figure 11.1 is a photograph of the Mediterranean taken by an oceanographer on board Challenger - the space shuttle Challenger, that is! From a height of two hundred miles or so it shows complex eddy patterns, visible in the glitter pattern produced by the Sun, and gives a completely new perspective on the world ocean. Such an image prompts questions as to how oceanic features are observed and how we might use the new knowledge to best effect. In this chapter, we review developments in the subject, emphasizing particularly the deep-sea aspects and the contribution made by UK scientists. The review is not intended to be exhaustive but to highlight some key milestones and ways in which the data are being used; for detailed explanation of sensor design and data processing the reader is referred to Stewart (1985) and Robinson (1985). A more general description of present-day satellite data, the sampling obtained and the uses to which the data can be put is given by Robinson and Guymer (1996). Before discussing the progress made in different application areas, we make some general observations.
