Large scale Antarctic features captured by multi-frequency scanning microwave radiometer on-board OCEANSAT-1

This paper discusses the features observed over the Antarctic in the passiv e microwave emission region by the multi-frequency scanning microwave radio meter (MSMR) instrument on-board the Indian remote sensing satellite IRS-P4 , now called OCEANSAT-1, Brightness temperature images produced from MSMR s how a clear distinction between open water and sea-ice-covered regions. It is also possible to differentiate several levels of ice concentration in th e Antarctic Circumpolar Ocean. A number of land features like the Trans-Ant arctic Mountain Ranges, part of Gamburtsev sub-glacial mountains, Wilkes an d Aurora sub-glacial basins, etc, can be demarcated as well, The consistent quality and regular availability of MSMR data since June 1999 serve as a v ery useful tool in all-weather day-and-night monitoring of the Antarctic re gion. MSMR data used in continuation of ESMR, SMMR and SSM/I data, would pr ove valuable in the study of long-term changes in the polar cryosphere asso ciated with global climate change.