Estimating sizes and rotation angles of antarctic icebergs utilizing scatterometer data

A reliable method of automatically estimating Antarctic iceberg contours and sizes from satellite data is desirable to help better understand patterns in iceberg formation and behavior. Starting from scatterometer images, this paper develops a method of using the relatively constant backscatter values across the surface of an iceberg to derive a contour of its shape. Contours are then used to find an angle of rotation between images taken on successive days. This method produces size estimates that are within 10% of the area given by the National Ice Center (NIC).