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Science 15 June 1973:
Vol. 180. no. 4091, pp. 1170 - 1171
DOI: 10.1126/science.180.4091.1170
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Articles

Polarization: A Key to an Airbone Optical System for the Detection of Oil on Water

John P. Millard 1 and John C. Arvesen 1

1 Planetary Science and Applications Branch, Space Science Division, NASA-Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035

Skylight polarization, which varies with the position of the sun in the sky, influences the contrast of oil on water. Good contrast is most consistently obtained by viewing in azimuth directions toward or away from the sun. Contrast is enhanced by imaging selected polarization components and by taking the difference between orthogonal polarization components.

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)