We analyze the sea surface imprint of two atmospheric vortex streets (AVS's
) observed on a RADARSAT, a Canadian earth observation satellite, Synthetic
Aperture Radar (SAR) image of the Aleutian Islands in the western Gulf of
Alaska acquired on May 5, 1999. The RADARSAT SAR instrument is operated in
C-band with HH polarization. These AVS's are interpreted as the atmosphere
analog of classic Von Karman vortex streets. The SAR image, along with radi
osonde data and surface weather charts, reveal that the AVS lengths are 196
km and 111 km for AVS-1 and AVS-2 respectively. There are five and two pai
rs of Vortices within each AVS. The vortex shedding period is estimated to
be between 35 and 48 minutes. The vortex shedding started approximately 4.6
and 2.6 hours prior to the SAR imaging time for AVS-1 and AVS-2, respectiv
ely. There are seven and three pairs of vortices within the respective AVS'
s. The vortex tangential velocity is estimated to be between 1.7 and 2.3 m/
s and the energy dissipated during the vortex lifetime is estimated to be b
etween 24.9 and 23.6 J/m(3).