Large scale Antarctic features captured by multi-frequency scanning microwave radiometer on-board OCEANSAT–1

• Main Authors: Vyas, N. K., Dash, M. K., Bhandari, S. M., Pandey, P. C., Mitra, A., Khare, N.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Current Science Association 2001
• Subjects: QE Geology; Antarctic; Indian; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://repository.ias.ac.in/94384/; http://repository.ias.ac.in/94384/1/Large_scale.pdf; http://www.currentscience.ac.in/cs/Downloads/article_id_080_10_1319_1322_0.pdf

This paper discusses the features observed over the Antarctic in the passive microwave emission region by the multi-frequency scanning microwave radiometer (MSMR) instrument on-board the Indian remote sensing satellite IRS-P4, now called OCEANSAT–1. Brightness temperature images produced from MSMR show a clear distinction between open water and sea-ice-covered regions. It is also possible to differentiate several levels of ice concentration in the Antarctic Circumpolar Ocean. A number of land features like the Trans-Antarctic Mountain Ranges, part of Gamburtsev sub-glacial mountains, Wilkes and Aurora sub-glacial basins, etc. can be demarcated as well. The consistent quality and regular availability of MSMR data since June 1999 serve as a very useful tool in all-weather day-andnight monitoring of the Antarctic region. MSMR data used in continuation of ESMR, SMMR and SSM/I data, would prove valuable in the study of long-term changes in the polar cryosphere associated with global climate change.