On Sep 24, 1996 [log in to unmask] wrote:

>I am an educator from NYC who is starting a remote sensing and marine
science
>center aboard the Ship Peking in the South Street Seaport.  I am looking for
>any who would like to give ideas on projects, materials and equipment
>available.

Jerome:

You might check out a new software/antenna system produced by a company
called OCENS.  It allows a laptop or decktop PC running Windows to download
and enhance NOAA Low-Res TIROS-N satellite data directly from the satellite
itself.  It tracks the movement of the satellites graphically on a world map
and provides schedules for passes for each satellite.  It downloads both the
visual and infrared image allowing viewing of weather (clouds) and sea
surface temperature.  The temperature range can be adjusted and custom colors
applied by the user.  You can also add coastline and lat/long overlays on the
image.  It allows zooming in to view specific areas.  The coverage is about
1,500 km north and south and 1,000 km east and west of your position.  It
also receives HF MarineFax data for viewing HF charts and maps.

We purchased a unit about 3 months ago and have found it very useful for
weather and sea surface temperature data.  It is very easy to use with icon
labeled radio button controls and a built in help function.  I think it might
be quite educational for your students.

The company has a demo set up on a web page at http://www.ocens.com

Cheers, J June--Natural Resources Consultants, Inc.