Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Alaska Sea Ice Observatory  (ASIO)

Outline
A sea ice observatory (ASIO) is proposed as an IPY project for monitoring sea ice in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent polar seas. The observatory will have a scientific component oriented towards assessing the role of sea ice in the climate system, and an operational component, to be carried out in collaboration with the National Ice Center, oriented toward the needs of international shipping in the polar seas. We propose to establish ASIO through the Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF) at the Geophysical Institute (GI), University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). 1. Scientific Component The Alaska Satellite Facility is operated by the Geophysical Institute under contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Image data from the Canadian Space Agency’s Radarsat, among other satellites, are acquired and processed. The Radarsat Geophysical Processor System (RGPS), which is installed at ASF, analyzes digital SCANSAR data and derives sea ice motion products. With all-weather day/night capability, SAR (/SCANSAR) data are obtained reliably through the heavy clouds and long periods of winter darkness that characterize the polar regions. This archive of continuous imagery, acquired in three day snapshots since 1997, is an invaluable data set for a broad range of sea ice studies. RGPS products have, for instance, led to significant validation improvements in sea ice modeling. There is a trend in sea ice modeling toward studies on global rather than regional scales. The ability of the RGPS to provide accurate data on sea ice motion, obtained and computed rapidly over large regions such as the entire Arctic Ocean, will be increasingly advantageous for coupled ice/ocean/atmosphere models. 2. Operational component As result of retreating ice edges in the polar seas, commercial shipping in the northwest passage will be feasible in the foreseeable future. Regular shipping will require current sea ice information for navigation, in a form that can be used by captains and other ship personnel. A near-real time version of the current RGPS, developed for use by the National Ice Center (NIC), could serve this purpose. NIC compiles and distributes sea ice charts on a regular basis, in a standard format suitable for use by commercial and other shipping. The proposed Alaska Sea Ice Observatory will contribute to scientific advancement of sea ice studies via an internationally collaborative, coordinated, ongoing effort while also serving operational needs. ASIO will also include educational and public outreach components (see section 3.3, below).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Setting up a Sea Ice Observatory will address all the six major themes central to IPY. New data is the most important piece in helping to reconstruct and predict the past, present and future of the polar environment and interpret the changes in the polar environment with respect to the complete Earth system. New data, new information collected by the ASIO will advance our current state of understanding of the polar regions and will provide new leads in polar research. Polar observations from satellite platforms provide a vantage point of view, providing a synoptic coverage of the polar region. Progress in scientific research is foreseen to have operational benefits to polar communities and human society at large.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Researchers from the GI and the International Arctic Research Center (IARC), a joint research center of the US and Japan, will be involved in the establishment of the Alaska Sea Ice Observatory. The monitoring of sea ice in near real time is of special interest to the US National Ice Center and the Canadian Ice Service who provide ice charts. Their increased collaboration lead to the formation of the North American Ice Service (NAIS).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The current RGPS provides sea ice motion products on the Arctic basin scale. For operational purposes the northwest passage will be of particular interest

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: TBC            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The ASF is an integral part in acquiring and processing SAR imagery and distributing sea ice motion products derived from RGPS. The facility will have an even more enhanced role if services are provided an operational level.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes, it will. The purpose of this project is to setup and establish an observatory to monitor sea ice motion in the Arctic for scientific and operational (near real time) purposes.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The expression of interest is in the process of being considered by the US National Committee for IPY.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
New

This is a new autonomous proposal to setup and establish an observatory for monitoring sea ice in the Arctic.

How will the project be organised and managed?
ASF and GI, the host organizations of the PI will serve as a base for setup of data reception, processing, analysis and dissemination of data and results. A working group of international researchers and primary beneficiaries of data products will be established to monitor success and define new user requirements. The PI will serve as the central contact point for communication with funding agencies and collaborators. A dedicated web site will be available to the global audience with all relevant information, progress, results and new announcements.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The education and outreach activities will be coordinated with the framework of UAF and GI in particular. It will involve facilities such as GI’s Information Office that have established links to the education community.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data sets for RGPS are currently acquired, processed and analyzed at the Alaska Satellite Facility. Ice motion related products are freely on the ASF project website. Plans are to integrate these products into the regular EOS Data Gateway (EDG) as unrestricted products.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The data acquisition and processing for RGPS is funded by NASA grants. The enhancement of the current RGPS capabilities to near real time processing is topic of a project submitted to NASA for funding. We are currently looking into ways of funding the establishment of the Alaska Sea Ice Observatory.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Rudiger Gens
P.O. Box 757320


99775
USA

Tel: 1-907-474-7621
Mobile: no
Fax: 1-907-474-6441
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation