Infrared Scanning the Arctic Pack Ice

• Main Authors: Ketchum, Jr., R. D., Wittmann, W. I.
• Other Authors: NAVAL OCEANOGRAPHIC OFFICE NSTL STATION MS
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1968
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Infrared Detection and Detectors; *INFRARED SCANNING; *SEA ICE; THERMAL PROPERTIES; AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE; THICKNESS; PREDICTIONS; DISTRIBUTION; ARCTIC REGIONS; PERIODIC VARIATIONS; SURFACE PROPERTIES; INFRARED IMAGES; PHOTOGRAPHY; INSTRUMENTATION; ROUGHNESS; ARLIS 2 ICE ISLAND; Arctic; Baffin Bay; Ellesmere Island; Arctic Basin; Baffin; Ice; permafrost; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0848780; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0848780

The U. S. Naval Oceanographic Office conducted its first infrared scanning experiment in the Arctic Basin during daylight conditions in April 1964. Many miles of coincident infrared scanner imagery and vertical photography were obtained over a large area of the Arctic Basin pack ice between North Ellesmere Island and 87N and in Baffin Bay. A surface control site for 'ground truth' data was established on the pack ice at the drifting ice station ARLIS II, then located at 86 deg 30 min N 48 deg 57 min W. Several overflights at various altitudes were made in this area. The experiment demonstrated that quality sea ice information can be obtained during daylight periods using infrared scanning systems. Incorporating present state-of-the-art instrumentation and imagery interpretation capabilities, the infrared reconnaissance system could be used effectively for identification and mapping of recent zones of ice canopy deformation. Continued airborne experiments and surface environmental studies under varying atmospheric conditions, varying seasons and conditions of light will be necessary to become proficient in translating infrared data into usable information with high confidence levels. This report presents illustrations of infrared imagery with coincident visual photography. A discussion of interpretations is presented along with brief mention of applications and limitations of the infrared scanner to Navy sea ice studies.