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Envisat and ERS-2 reveal hidden side of Hurricane Rita

23 September 2005

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This zoom from a larger Envisat ASAR image shows the signal return from the sea surface beneath the eye of Hurricane Rita. It was acquired in Wide Swath Mode early on 22 September UTC and has a resolution of 150 metres. The image measures 100 x 75 km.

Credits: ESA

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This is the full-sized ASAR Wide Swath Mode image of Hurricane Rita, showing distinctive swirling patterns scoured into the sea surface by the storm's winds.

Credits: ESA

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This image shows Hurricane Rita surface wind field speeds, derived from the ASAR image acquired on 22 September. This work was performed by the Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CTSARS) at the University of Miami.

Credits: CSTARS

ERS-2 joins in Rita observations

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ERS-2 scatterometer data showing the wind speed and also direction for Hurricane Rita. Acquired on 22 September 2005, it was processed in near-real time by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KMNI).

Credits: ESA/KNMI

NOAA using Envisat radar altimetry data

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This MERIS Reduced Resolution mode image of Hurricane Rita in the Gulf of Mexico was acquired on 22 September at 1550 UTC. Note the pronounced wall around its eye.

Credits: ESA

Observing hurricanes

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This Envisat MERIS image of Hurricane Rita was acquired on 20 September 2005 and shows the storm passing Florida and Cuba to enter the Gulf of Mexico. The image is in Reduced Resolution mode with a spatial resolution of 1200 metres.

Credits: ESA