Satellite-derived ice data sets no. 1: Antarctic monthly average microwave brightness temperatures and sea-ice concentrations, 1973 - 1976

• Main Author: Zwally, H. J.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1981
• Subjects: EARTH RESOURCES AND REMOTE SENSING; Antarctic; Antarc*; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2060/19820009689

A summary data set concerning 4 years of Antarctic sea-ice conditions was created and is available on magnetic tape. The data were derived from electrically scanning microwave radiometer brightness temperatures and were mapped into a polar stereographic grid enclosing the 50 deg S latitude circle. The grid size varies from about 32 by 32 sq km at the poles to about 28 by 28 sq km at 50 deg S. The microwave brightness temperatures of Antarctic sea ice are predominantly characteristic of first-year ice with an emissivity of 0.92 at 19 GHz frequency. Sea ice concentrations were calculated from the brightness temperature data for each grid element with an algorithm that uses an emissivity value of 0.92 and an ice physical temperature estimate from climatological surface air temperatures. Monthly, multiyear monthly, and yearly maps of brightness temperatures and sea ice concentrations were created for the 4 years, except for 7 months for which useable data were insufficient.