Iceberg size and orientation estimation using SeaWinds

• Main Authors: Keith M. Stuart, David G. Long
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Antarctic; Antarc*; Iceberg*
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.391.9179; http://www.mers.byu.edu/long/papers/conf/IGARSS2010Stuart.pdf

From 1999 to 2009, the SeaWinds scatterometer has been used to detect and track large Antarctic icebergs on a daily basis. Here, we develop an automated estimation algorithm to supplement iceberg position reports with estimates of the iceberg’s major axis length, minor axis length, and angle of orientation. A maximum-likelihood objective function that relates measured backscatter to model-based simulated backscatter is developed. The utility of the estimation approach is analyzed in simulation and via a case study of iceberg A22a. Subsequent results agree with and supplement reports compiled by the United States National Ice Center. Index Terms — Ice, radar scattering, estimation