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Scientists receive first CryoSat-2 data

20 July 2010

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Profile of the Greenland ice sheet acquired by CryoSat-2. The profile shows an estimate of ice-sheet elevation and variability of surface characteristics (colour-coded returned echo power levels) across a 2500 km transect from south to north.

Credits: ESA

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CryoSat determines variations in the thickness of floating sea-ice so that seasonal and interannual variations can be detected. The satellite also surveys the surface of continental ice sheets to detect small elevation changes. Information on precise variations in ice thickness will further our understanding of the relationship between ice and climate change.

Credits: ESA /AOES Medialab

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Profile Arctic sea-ice acquired by CryoSat-2. The profile shows complex characteristics of radar echoes acquired over sea ice and open water ‘leads’ across a 150 km transect of the Arctic Ocean previously unseen by radar altimeter.

Credits: ESA

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Taking in situ measurements of ice and snow are an essential part of the calibration and validation programme for the CryoSat mission. Here a neutron probe is lowered into a hole drilled in the ice. It collects essential data on snow and ice density layering to help understand the radar signals from the satellite and ultimately transform the height measurements into net change in ice mass, the main goal of CryoSat.

Credits: Norwegian Polar Institute

CryoSat