Remote Sensing of Sea Ice on the MOSAiC Ice Floe - An Overview

Abstract

MOSAiC Science Conference/Workshop, 25-29 April 2022, Potsdam, GermanyDuring MOSAiC several remote sensing instruments designed for observing the sea ice and its snow cover were installed on the ice floe next to Polarstern and on the vessel itself. Satellite measurements constitute a few of the most important climate data records for polar regions. The MOSAiC experiments will help to improve their quality and better assess their uncertainties. In particular the following measurements were performed during MOSAiC: (i) 0.5-89 GHz microwave radiometers, (ii) L to Ka-band microwave radar scatterometers, (iii) reflected GNSS measurements, and (iv) infrared, visual, and hyperspectral cameras. The remote sensing measurements were accompanied by extensive measurements of snow and ice properties. By having these coincident multi-frequency remote sensing and in-situ observations, factors influencing the emission, reflection, and scattering of microwaves in sea ice and snow can be better understood. New remote sensing methods can be developed and contribute to new and upcoming satellite missions. Here we will present an overview of the measurement program and first results from simultaneously measuring instruments during two events in November 2019 (winter) and September 2020 (summer)Peer reviewe