A RADARSAT Map of Antarctica
Explanation:
It's not easy to make a map of
Antarctica.
Earth's southern most continent is so cold and
inhospitable that much of it remains
unexplored.
From
space, though,
it is possible to map this entire region by
radar: by systematically noting how long it takes for
radio waves to reflect off the terrain.
The Canadian satellite
RADARSAT has been orbiting the Earth for the past five years making radar maps,
and has recently released the
most detailed map of Antarctica ever created.
Above is a computer-generated map of
Antarctica at relatively low resolution.
From the
RADARSAT map, scientists have been able to
better study this
mysterious continent,
including information about how ancient
ice-shelves are crumbling.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
