Lack of in-situ measurements of ice temperature (boreholes) limit our capabilities to understand ice sheet dynamics. Researchers combined L-band (1.4 GHz) passive microwave observations from SMOS over Antarctica with glaciological and emission models to infer information on glaciological properties of the ice sheet at various depths, including temperature. Comparison with existing models showed that differences …
In recent years the possibility of using L-band space-borne radiometers for monitoring the Cryosphere has been investigated using data available from new space missions ((ESA SMOS and NASA Aquarius and SMAP). The interest in L-band relies on the very low absorption of ice at L-band and the low scattering by particles that are very small …
ESA’s Earth System Data Lab is a new virtual lab to access a wide array of Earth observations across space, time and variables. It consists of two elements: the data cube and an interface to execute different analyses on the data cube. Young researchers selected in the Early Adopters Call launched in 2018 used the …
Applying a novel analytical theory, scientists have a fast new way of retrieving snow grain size – and albedo – from Sentinel-3 data. Read more about the importance of snow grain size and the results obtained in the Pre-Operational Sentinel-3 snow and ice products (SICE) project in ESA EO portal featured story.
Observing phenomena occurring in remote locations at high latitudes is not an easy task. Apart from the scarcity of in-situ measurements available in locations such as Greenland, satellite observations with optical sensors are often hindered by the presence of clouds and lack of sunlight during wintertime. That is why scientists look at ways to combine …
“The fellowship was a really important step in my career, giving me the freedom and time to pursue a higher-risk Earth Observation research goal. It was great to be part of a cohort with other ESA fellows, to learn about their work and exchange ideas. The support and guidance from my ESA project contacts was …
The loss of ice from Antarctica is one of the principal causes of contemporary sea level rise. Tracking the changes that are currently occurring across this remote and inaccessible continent requires systematic satellite monitoring programmes. From these unique observational platforms, robust long-term climate records can be developed, which help scientists to understand and to predict …
Living Planet Fellowship research project carried out by Jack Landy. Arctic-SummIT will deliver, for the first time, a sea ice thickness product during summer months from the ESA Cryosat-2 satellite. As the extent of Arctic sea ice has declined at unprecedented speed over the past few decades, we have been able to view only limited …
“The Fellowship was my first independent project, which I perceived it as an encouragement to innovate and explore new avenues” After the end of the Living Planet Fellowship, Bas got another research grant and continued working on optical remote sensing of glacier change, though along the way he discovered more opportunities exist, and has …
