Glossary of Terms

Visible radiance is the intensity of visible radiation. In radiometry, a measure of the intrinsic radiant intensity emitted by a radiator (source of radiation) in a given direction. Radiance is measured in watts per square meter per steradian.

Visible radiation refers to electromagnetic radiation capable of evoking the sensation of vision in a normal human observer. The indefinite range of wavelengths of visible radiation is between 400 and 700 nm. 

Radiance is a radiometric term for the rate at which radiant energy in a set of directions confined to a unit solid angle around a particular direction is transferred across a unit area of a surface (real or imaginary) projected onto this direction.

Visualization—sometimes called scientific visualization—provides a window into reams of observational and simulation data by creating graphical representations that communicate to researchers and public alike. Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, visualizations are worth billions of bytes, both elucidating and simplifying big data.

Object storage accessible through https.

Also known as: U, V flux, ocean momentum flux.

The drag or tangential force per unit area exerted upon the Earth's surface by moving air in the surface boundary layer. Force on the ocean (per unit area) associated with the momentum that is exchanged between the ocean and the atmosphere.

A working agreement (W/A) outlines the working commitments made between the ESDIS Project and another organization for developing, implementing and/or operating portions of the data system.