In the COOL room, scientists monitor the sea surface temperature using data transmitted by several satellites, each with a sensor on it called an Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). The satellites are operated by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and are located about 500 miles (about 804.65 km) above the Earth, orbiting at a speed of 20,000 mph (32,186 kmph). There are usually 3 AVHRR satellites in orbit at any one time, sensing the ocean's surface temperature around the globe. Even from such a great distance above the earth, satellites can provide detailed information about small areas of the

Each time the satellites pass over the Western Atlantic Ocean, their data is collected at the COOL room. So, six times a day, COOLroom scientists get information about the sea surface temperature in the area around our research station. Here is a sea surface temperature image of the coastal ocean off of New Jersey:

The colors in the picture stand for different temperature ranges (the key for the ranges is on the left-hand side of the picture). We've put a map of the coastline over the satellite image. Notice that the temperature on the land is higher than the temperature in the water. You might wonder why the coastline we've drawn and the temperature information don't line up exactly. That's because the satellite moves at very high speed, and tilts and rolls as it moves. When we use SST data, we usually correct for these inconsistencies.

Learn how fisherman use the satellite temperature images on the COOLroom to set their course and find the fish.

ocean. Move your cursor over the magnifying tool below to "see" the ocean surface the same way a satellite does as it passes overhead.