SRTM viewed Earth from orbit, flying above the clouds. How was SRTM able to get a clear view of Earths surface even in cloudy tropical areas?
SRTM used imaging radar technology to view Earth’s surface. The behavior of non-visible radiation like radar is complex and unfamiliar to most people, but in short, the answer to this question is “radar looks through clouds.” A longer answer is as follows. Radar instruments transmit and receive microwave radiation, which is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, as is natural visible light. Electromagnetic energy travels in waves and its “spectrum” refers to its range of wavelengths. Visible light has a wavelength range of about 0.4 to 0.7 micrometers (millionths of a meter) as it varies from blue, through cyan, green, and yellow, to red. Ultraviolet has shorter wavelengths and is invisible to our eyes. Infrared has longer wavelengths and is also invisible to our eyes. Microwaves have much longer wavelengths that are far beyond the range of visible wavelengths. SRTM used radar with a wavelength of 5.6 centimeters (about 2.3 inches). Given that background, here now is the key point. In g
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