Understanding SMOS data in Antarctica

Since the SMOS satellite launch in 2009, its L-band radiometer data have been analyzed in depth by scientists worldwide and have resulted in significant steps forward in different disciplines. As primary objectives of the mission, the main research focus has been related to soil moisture and ocean salinity. However, the availability of a complete long-term, all-weather time-series of calibrated global brightness temperature data has enabled much broader research investigations on other topics such as the Cryosphere. SMOS data collected over central of Antarctica were also analyzed and whereas Tb is in general very stable in time it presents some intriguing spatial variations which are not yet fully explained. Using electromagnetic model simulations, and ancillary data for describing the physical parameters of the ice sheet, the observed variability and features in SMOS data are reproduced and explained.