Characterization of ice in the Chukchi Sea at the start of the growing season using satellite SAR

The distribution of ice forms and thickness is believed to be important to the study and monitoring of changes in our global environment. Distribution information is known to vary with region. Satellite and in-situ observations were conducted in the Chukchi Sea with the intent to learn more about sea ice physical and microwave properties during the period of transition from summer to winter. Comparisons are made with observations from a well studied region, the Beaufort Sea. A regional knowledge of sea ice properties and microwave behaviour is important to the application of SAR remote sensing methods to retrieve geophysical properties.