Gulf of Mexico Near Real-Time Velocity Viewer

Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
Dept. of Aerospace Engineering Sciences University of Colorado, Boulder

Welcome to the CCAR Gulf of Mexico Near Real-Time Altimeter Data Viewer, sponsored by the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research (CCAR) at the University of Colorado, Boulder. This page allows you to view maps of the sea surface velocity with superimposed velocity vectors for the Gulf of Mexico (262°E to 280°E longitude and 18°N to 31°N latitude). The maps are produced from Jason, TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P), Geosat Follow-On (GFO), ERS-2 and Envisat altimeter data processed in near real-time, usually within 12 to 36 hours of overflight. An analysis product is based on the latest 10 days of Jason and T/P, and 17 days of GFO and 35 days of ERS-2 and Envisat sampling, if available. See Satellite Dates for more information. This quick-look processing is designed to retain the mesoscale sea surface height anomalies associated with fronts and eddies.

Map Input Options

Analysis Date:

Data files are generally available 12 to 36 hours after overflight. Only Data for dates up to and including the default date (the date displayed in the selection box upon initial loading of the page or the date displayed by clicking the "Reset Values" button) can be viewed.

Month	Day	Year

Plot SSH or Velocity Magnitude:

Velocity Magnitude Minimum Magnitude: Maximum Magnitude:
SSH Minimum Magnitude: Maximum Magnitude:

Smoothing Radius:

The raw sea surface height can be smoothed prior to calculating the velocity vectors. This reduces large anomalous velocities associated with a noisy data field. The radius of the smoothing is in kilometers and can be selected below

Model Mean:

Add model mean Do not add model mean

Bathymetry:

Plot only data in water deeper than: meters

Map Formatting Options

Color Palette:

Color Mono None

Plot Velocity Vectors:

Yes No

Velocity Vector Color:

Black White

Velocity Vector Length:

Increase to lengthen vectors

Degree Format:

Longitudes go from 0 to 360. Latitudes go from -90 to 90.
Longitudes go from -180 to 180. Latitudes go from -90 to 90.
Longitudes are unsigned 0 to 180. Latitudes are unsigned 0 to 90.
Longitudes are unsigned 0 to 180 with letters E or W appended. Latitudes are unsigned 0 to 90 with letters N or S appended.

Output Options

Output File Orientation:

Portrait Landscape

Output File Format:

GIF PostScript

Questions? Comments?

Send mail to the CCAR Real-time Altimeter Data Research Group.

Page created and maintained by the CCAR Real-Time Altimeter Data Group.