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Satellite remote sensing of polar snow and ice: present status and future directions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2009

Robert Massom
Robert Massom
Affiliation:
Antarctic CRC, University of Tasmania, GPO Box 252C, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
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Abstract

Polar snow and ice masses exert a profound influence on global climate and ocean circulation, and are in turn influenced by climate. Satellite remote sensing constitutes the only practical and systematic means of gaining long-term overviews of any change or variability that may be occurring in key snow and ice parameters. Current relevant satellite sensors are reviewed and future developments evaluated to determine how these may lead to improved retrievals of the key parameters. Sensors to be launched on satellite platforms planned for the end of the century and beyond include both improved versions of existing sensors (such as MODIS) and new classes of sensors (such as imaging spectrometers and laser rangers/altimeters) applied to polar remote sensing for the first time.

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Articles
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Polar Record , Volume 31 , Issue 177 , April 1995 , pp. 99 - 114
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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