Global Inter-agency IPY Polar Snapshot Year

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Global Inter-agency IPY Polar Snapshot Year
(GIIPSY)

• GIIPSY aims to facilitate
• Use of current and soon to be launched earth
  observing satellites to develop broad spectral,
  medium and high resolution snapshots of the polar
  regions.
• Use of the snapshots as gauges for assessing the
  impacts of past and future high latitude
  environmental changes.
• Establishment of technical and programmatic
  infrastructure for sustaining international
  observations beyond IPY.

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Implementing GIIPSY through the IPY SPACE TASK
GROUP

• STG SUMMARY
• First meeting of STG 1 took place in WMO
  Headquarters from 17-19 Jan, 2007
• Participation of the following Space Agencies
• CMA, CNES, CSA, DLR, ESA, Eumetsat, NASA,
  Roshydromet,
• Additional representation from WCRP-CliC, GIIPSY,
  IPY-Joint Committee

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Key Outcomes from STG 1

• STG made substantive progress on developing the
  concept of an effective space component of the
  observing system for the polar regions during
  IPY. This would deliver a series of firsts,
  including
• For the first time, pole to coast multi-frequency
  InSAR measurements of ice-sheet surface velocity.
• For the first time, repeat fine-resolution SAR
  mapping of the entire Southern Ocean sea-ice
  cover for sea ice motion.
• For the first time, one complete high resolution
  visible and thermal IR (Vis/IR) snapshot of
  circumpolar permafrost.
• For the first time, pan-Arctic high and moderate
  resolution Vis/IR snapshots of freshwater (lake
  and river) freeze-up and break-up.
• The Space Agencies introduced the concept of IPY
  data portfolios as an organizing principle. Each
  Agency will determine what data will be made
  available to IPY scientists as part of its
  portfolio. The intention is to provide open and
  easy access to these portfolios for scientific
  use. The content of the portfolios will evolve
  through the STG coordination of planning,
  acquisition, downlink and processing during IPY
  and beyond, as a legacy.

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Key Objectives for STG-2

• In view of the high importance and priority of
  achieving the scientific firsts it is highly
  desirable if interested groups continue to urge
  Space Agencies to do their utmost in developing
  and adopting a coordinated approach for the
  implementation to these activities for the
  remaining period of IPY.
• One of the key issues is how to secure the legacy
  of a long-term observing system. This legacy
  shall include high-level products resulting from
  the science of IPY, e.g. high spatial resolution
  digital terrain maps of the polar regions. One
  approach that may be considered for long term
  security of the IPY legacy is to establish a link
  to GEO.

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STG Successes

• CSA ASAP
• CSA MiniMAMM
• DLR TerraSAR-X Support of IPY
• ESA AO
• ESA Data Portal and Metadata Tagging for IPY
• Dedicated IPY Acquisition Planning

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Acquisition Planning
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Planned ASAR Image Mode Swath 2 polarization HH
October 16
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CSA MiniMAMMNovember 2007
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Continuing Challenges

• Increasing the number of Space Agencies
  participating in the STG we encourage global
  involvement
• Securing commitments of key data sets such as
  L-band SAR and high resolution optical repeat
  observations of the arctic ice pack.

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STG Schedule
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GIIPSY Information

• Information on GIIPSY is available at
• http//bprc.osu.edu/rsl/GIIPSY/
• The site includes minutes of the STG meeting and
  the two STG teleconferences.

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BACK-UP Vu-Graphs
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GIIPSY Legacy Objectives

• A. Sea level rise, and hemispheric climate
  (Glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets) 1)  For the
  first time, one summer, one winter SAR snapshot
  of the polar ice sheets,  glaciers and ice caps.
  Near simultaneous imagery at L, C, and X band,
  polarimetric quad pole for documenting ice
  surface physical parameters. 2)  For the first
  time, pole-to-coast multi-frequency InSAR
  measurements of ice surface velocity.3)  For the
  first time, repeated X-band InSAR topography for
  detecting local changes in ice sheet elevation
  associated with motion of subglacial water. 4) 
  For the first time, one summer, one winter, high
  resolution visible/near IR/ TIR snapshot of the
  entirety of the polar ice sheets, glaciers and
  small ice caps followed with bimonthly coverage
  of select glaciers for snow-zone mapping 5) 
  Continued measurements of ice surface elevation
  from radar and laser altimeters (spaceborne and
  airborne) for volume change 6)  Continued, daily
  visible and infrared medium-resolution imaging of
  the entirety of the polar ice sheets, glaciers
  and ice caps and to be compiled into monthly
  maps. 7)  Continued, daily medium-to-coarse
  resolution active and passive microwave images of
  the polar ice sheets, ice fields and ice caps for
  melt extent 8)  Continued measurements of the
  gravity field for mass balance.

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IPY Legacy Objectives

• B. Ocean circulation and polar air-sea
  interactions (Sea ice) 1)  For the first time,
  L-band SAR mapping of the Arctic ocean and
  marginal seas sea ice cover for leads and ridges.
  2)  For the first time, repeat fine resolution
  SAR mapping of the entire Southern ocean sea ice
  cover for ice motion 3)  For the first time, SAR
  and optical fine resolution mappings of the
  entire Arctic ocean 4)  Continued 3-day medium
  resolution SAR mapping of sea ice covered waters
  for motion, and melt pond coverage 5)  Continued
  passive microwave observations of sea ice
  concentration and extent 6)  Continued laser and
  radar altimeter measurements of ice thickness and
  sea surface topography
• 7) Measurements of IPY Polar Geoid
• C. Regional climate, precipitation and hydrology
  (Terrestrial snow cover) 1)  Daily medium
  resolution visible/near IR/TIR observations of
  all snow covered terrain 2)  Daily passive
  microwave observations of snow covered terrain
  for determination of snow water equivalent

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IPY Legacy Objectives
D. Changing permafrost and Arctic climate
(Permafrost) 1)  For the first time, one
complete high resolution snapshot of all polar
permafrost terrain at L, C and X band. 2)  For
the first time, one complete, high resolution
visible and thermal IR snapshot of all polar
permafrost terrain 3)  Continued medium and
coarse active and passive microwave observations
of all polar permafrost

• E. Aquatic ecosystems, transportation and
  hazards (Lake and river ice) 1)  For the first
  time, pan-arctic high and medium resolution
  microwave snapshots of fresh water-
  break/freeze-up 2)  For the first time,
  pan-arctic high and medium resolution visible,
  near IR and TIR snapshots of fresh water-
  break/freeze-up
• 3) Seasonal, low-frequency (6-10 GHz)
  passive microwave observations of lake ice
  thickness

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