RAMP AMM-1 SAR Image Mosaic of Antarctica, Version 2
Data set id:
NSIDC-0103
DOI: 10.5067/8AF4ZRPULS4H
This is the most recent version of these data.
Version Summary

Removed Version 1 data because of a number of image processing problems that were fixed in Version 2 data. Version 2 data benefits from the following error corrections and other updates:




  • RAMS software was modified to address the antenna pattern banding problem, which resulted in blocks with bright centers and dark edges; thus, a radial banding pattern across the Version 1 mosaic. This banding effect is greatly reduced in Version 2, although faint banding caused by drops in sigma-naught with decreasing incidence angle remains.


  • ASF provided corrected noise floor vector data to reduce noise in low-backscatter areas.


  • Ghosting was only a minor problem in the Version 1 mosaic, and was further reduced in Version 2. Ghosting is an effect of side-lobe detection of bright features. When the main antenna lobe is imaging very low-backscatter targets, it is possible that bright targets passing beneath a side-lobe of the antenna will scatter enough energy back toward the antenna to be detected and mapped erroneously at the location the main lobe was viewing. As a result, bright coastal features can appear as ghost images in regions of very dark snow near the South Pole. The problem has been addressed by selection of alternate passes without ghost images.


  • Version 2 of the RAMP DEM was used in processing the Version 2 mosaic. Swath data were reprojected onto the new DEM surface, improving the georegistration of the mosaic.


  • Shadow and layover problems were addressed by covering all mountainous areas with ST7 data, such as RADARSAT-1 data acquired using a different standard beam looking mode. ST7 data are radiometrically much darker then the ST2 data used for most of the mosaic, so their use resulted in a few radiometric artifacts.


  • As with Version 2 of the RAMP DEM, Version 2 of the RAMP mosaic extends farther over the sea ice surrounding Antarctica.


  • The effects of Automatic Gain Control (AGC) used in initial data gathering by the satellite remain in the Version 2 images. In collecting the data, a region of each swath is sampled for intensity so that the gain of the processed data may be set optimally for increased contrast over the surface to be imaged. Within swaths that include abrupt changes in surface type, for example, near the coast or near rock outcrops, this initial sample may include only water or rock outcrop, and thus the gain is set for these surfaces rather than for ice. The section of the swath is processed with gains that are not optimal for the ice sheet mosaic. The affected regions of the ice sheet show up as slightly darker blocks or corners within the mosaic.


Overview

The mosaic provides a detailed look at ice sheet morphology, rock outcrops, research infrastructure, the coastline, and other features of Antarctica, as well as representing calibrated radar backscatter data, which may provide insight into climate processes affecting the upper few meters of snow cover.
Parameter(s):
GLACIERSICE SHEETSRADAR BACKSCATTERRADAR IMAGERYRADAR REFLECTIVITYSIGMA NAUGHT
Platform(s):
RADARSAT-1
Sensor(s):
SAR
Data Format(s):
Binary, GeoTIFF
Temporal Coverage:
1 September 1997 to 31 October 1997
Temporal Resolution:
Not Specified
Spatial Resolution:
  • Not Specified
Spatial Coverage:
N:
-60
S:
-90
E:
180
W:
-180
Blue outlined yellow areas on the map below indicate the spatial coverage for this data set.

Data Access & Tools

A free NASA Earthdata Login account is required to access these data. Learn More

Help Articles

General Questions & FAQs

A variety of features can be detected in the RAMP image mosaic. SAR data allow ready discrimination between areas of high snow accumulation, crevassed regions, and areas susceptible to seasonal melt.

How to Articles

Data from the NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center (NSIDC DAAC) can be accessed directly from our HTTPS file system. We provide basic command line Wget and curl instructions for HTTPS file system downloads below.