Detection of polar stratospheric clouds over Antarctica using AVHRR images obtained at Palmer Station during August 1992

• Published in: Polar Record
• Main Authors: Garcia, Oswaldo, Pagan, Kathy L., Foschi, Patricia G., Gaines, Steven E., Hipskind, R. Stephen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1995
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Ecology; Geography, Planning and Development; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; Weddell Sea; Weddell; Palmer Station; Palmer-Station; Antarc*; Antarctica; Polar Record
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247400013711; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247400013711

Abstract Four case studies are presented that focus on a joint analysis of AVHRR images with other independently obtained data sets to identify examples of both optically thick and thin polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) over Antarctica. Optically thick PSCs are shown to be readily identifiable by the temperature signatures in AVHRR channel 5 images over the Antarctic Peninsula–Weddell Sea area. A time series of optically thick PSCs as seen in satellite images obtained at Palmer Station, Antarctica, is produced and discussed. Four events are identified and discussed where the areal coverage by cold temperatures indicative of PSCs expands to cover a significant portion of the area sampled. Plans for further research are outlined.