The distribution of sun glints sizes on the sea surface

Abstract

AbstractThe problem is studied both theoretically and experimentally. Statistical distributions of the total curvature and the reciprocal to the total curvature at the specular points (SP) of a random Gaussian uniform sea surface are discussed. The theoretical distribution and its asymptotes are completely investigated. The validity of the theoretical distribution is verified by numerical simulations and natural experiments. In the experimental study of this distribution, Sun glint images taken with a high time and spatial resolution digital camera are used. Those images are developed by using a specially-designed Fortran program which calculates the statistical characteristics of the glints. The experimentally derived distribution of the glint areas is compared with the theoretical distribution. The main causes (origins) of small divergence between the theoretical and experimental results are discussed.