Sigma-0 browse images are made from the SeaWinds on QuikScat "egg" backscatter measurements. The browse product is designed to conveniently view the spatial and temporal evolution of Ku-band sigma-0 values observed by QuikScat. The image products are produced in the BYU .SIR file format using file naming scheme specified by the SeaWinds project and described in the documentation. As noted in the Product Documentation for the Sigma-0 Browse product, interpretting sigma-0 browse image values over the ocean must be done very carefully. See the Sigma-0 Browse Product FAQ page.

Images for three regions are produced: one a global view and two polar views. The pixel resolution varies. Separate images are made for each polarization. Daily images are made of the average sigma-0, the standard deviation, and the measurement count.