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EOS, TRANSACTIONS AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION, VOL. 85, NO. 46, doi:10.1029/2004EO460002, 2004

NASA EOS Sensors Demonstrate Potential for Multiparameter Studies of Arctic Sea Ice

Walter N. Meier

University of Colorado, National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, Colorado, USA


Melinda Marquis

University of Colorado, National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, Colorado, USA


Marilyn Kaminski

University of Colorado, National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, Colorado, USA


Ron Weaver

University of Colorado, National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, Colorado, USA


Abstract

Remote sensing of sea ice is a difficult task due to the discontinuous, complex surface (ice, water, snow) and the frequent presence of clouds. Only through combinations of data from a variety of sensor types can a thorough and complete characterization of sea ice be obtained. The sensors on the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) Aqua, Terra, and ICESat satellites represent a substantial step forward in the ability to observe sea ice. The sensors are a significant advancement over their predecessors in terms of spatial and radiometric resolution. The increased variety of geophysical data products from the sensors provides a wealth of new information about sea ice. Combinations of products from the different sensors have the potential to provide additional insights.

Published 16 November 2004.

Index Terms: 4275 Oceanography: General: Remote sensing and electromagnetic processes (0689); 4540 Oceanography: Physical: Ice mechanics and air/sea/ice exchange processes; 9315 Information Related to Geographic Region: Arctic region.

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Citation: Meier, W. N., M. Marquis, M. Kaminski, and R. Weaver (2004), NASA EOS Sensors Demonstrate Potential for Multiparameter Studies of Arctic Sea Ice, Eos Trans. AGU, 85(46), doi:10.1029/2004EO460002.