This paper highlights preliminary results from the analysis of the first ye
ar's data from the multi-channel scanning microwave radiometer (MSMR) onboa
rd India's Oceansat-1 satellite, over the climatologically and geologically
important Antarctic and Southern Ocean regions. Weekly averaged microwave
brightness temperature images formed using the MSMR data clearly demarcated
open water and sea ice regions. Different levels of ice concentration also
showed up as different brightness temperature values. Signatures of severa
l large and prominent continental features like the Trans-Antarctic Mountai
n ranges, Gamburtsev sub-glacial mountain, Wilkes and Aurora sub-glacial ba
sins and the Ross Ice Shelf were seen in these images. Some quasi-circular
coastal 'eddy' like features were also observed in sea ice regions off the
eastern Antarctic coast. These studies reveal the potential of Oceansat-MSM
R for long term monitoring of the polar regions of the Earth.