Data supply system of sea ice information for the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition during summer

Abstract

We developed a system to supply Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS (AMSR-E) sea ice concentration data to the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE). Using this system, digital sea ice concentration data were provided to JARE-51 and -52 on the icebreaker Shirase, with a lag time of 1-2 days. The sea ice data were highly useful during the deployment of the moorings. The system was also utilized by other Japanese research vessels in the Southern Ocean, and the sea ice data were helpful for the operation of the vessels.