Andrew Yee[_1_]
January 22nd 08, 08:31 PM
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates
Richmond, British Columbia
Jan. 21, 2008
RADARSAT-2 First Images
Greenland
[http://www.radarsat2.info/about/gallery/first_images/greenland.asp]
This RADARSAT-2 Standard Quad-Pol image shows the northern end of the
Sermilik fjord on the east coast of Greenland. The image was acquired
December 18, 2007 -- four days after launch and is a composite of the three
radar data channels (HH, VV, HV) displayed in a red-green-blue colour
scheme. The scene is ~ 25km x 50km, with 25m nominal resolution.
The Fenrisgletscher glacier -- a large, slow moving valley glacier that
feeds into the Sermilik fjord -- is visible in the upper right corner of the
image. Glaciers in this area produce large volumes of icebergs that flow out
to sea.
In the fjord, variations in colour represent different types of sea ice and
leads (open water). The use of polarimetric data greatly improves ice edge
detection and the identification of ice types as well as increasing ice
topography and structural information. The information provided can be used
for ship navigation, and land / sea ice studies (such as the position of
glacier termini to support environmental monitoring).
This image was acquired early in the RADARSAT-2 commissioning phase.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
[http://www.radarsat2.info/about/gallery/first_images/vancouver.asp]
This RADARSAT-2 image of Vancouver Lower Mainland, was acquired January 6,
2008 using the Ultra-Fine beam mode, in HH polarization. The scene is ~ 20km
x 36km, with 3m resolution. The city of Vancouver is visible in the upper
part of the image.
The three call-outs to the right of the image demonstrate the increased
information content provided by high-resolution radar imaging. The top
call-out shows five cargo ships in English Bay -- structural detail of the
cargo holds is evident. The bright return from the stern is due to the
strong radar response from the superstructure of the ship.
The middle call-out shows the increased detail available over the Vancouver
Airport. The thin bright line feature coming in from the right hand side is
the new rapid transit Canada Line currently under construction for the 2010
Olympics. More information can also be extracted from the airport terminal
buildings and loading gates.
The bottom call-out shows the added detail provided by 3m imaging, which
enables greater differentiation of the agriculture fields under different
management practices and moisture conditions.
This image was acquired early in the commissioning phase, prior to any
adjustment of the radar gain settings.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
[http://www.radarsat2.info/about/gallery/first_images/iqaluit.asp]
In this RADARSAT-2 Fine Quad-Pol image, the community of Iqaluit can be seen
on the northern shores of Koojesse inlet -- an inlet of Frobisher Bay,
southeast Baffin Island. The image was acquired January 7, 2008 and is a
composite of the three radar data channels (HH, VV, HV) displayed in a
red-green-blue colour scheme. The scene is ~25km x 28km, with 8m nominal
resolution.
The Iqaluit airport runway is the dark linear feature located beside the
community. For the most part, Frobisher Bay is ice-covered; however due to
large tidal variations, areas of open water are visible along the shoreline
as well as in the Bay. RADARSAT-2 is an excellent tool for monitoring leads
and open water -- providing critical information for safety and navigational
needs.
The land clearly shows the striations typical of glaciated terrain.
High-resolution and polarimetric responses provide information for the
detailed mapping of terrain features, surface structure and variations in
surface topology.
This image was acquired early in the commissioning phase.
RADARSAT-2 Data and Products. Copyright MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates
Ltd. (2008) - All Rights Reserved.
Richmond, British Columbia
Jan. 21, 2008
RADARSAT-2 First Images
Greenland
[http://www.radarsat2.info/about/gallery/first_images/greenland.asp]
This RADARSAT-2 Standard Quad-Pol image shows the northern end of the
Sermilik fjord on the east coast of Greenland. The image was acquired
December 18, 2007 -- four days after launch and is a composite of the three
radar data channels (HH, VV, HV) displayed in a red-green-blue colour
scheme. The scene is ~ 25km x 50km, with 25m nominal resolution.
The Fenrisgletscher glacier -- a large, slow moving valley glacier that
feeds into the Sermilik fjord -- is visible in the upper right corner of the
image. Glaciers in this area produce large volumes of icebergs that flow out
to sea.
In the fjord, variations in colour represent different types of sea ice and
leads (open water). The use of polarimetric data greatly improves ice edge
detection and the identification of ice types as well as increasing ice
topography and structural information. The information provided can be used
for ship navigation, and land / sea ice studies (such as the position of
glacier termini to support environmental monitoring).
This image was acquired early in the RADARSAT-2 commissioning phase.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
[http://www.radarsat2.info/about/gallery/first_images/vancouver.asp]
This RADARSAT-2 image of Vancouver Lower Mainland, was acquired January 6,
2008 using the Ultra-Fine beam mode, in HH polarization. The scene is ~ 20km
x 36km, with 3m resolution. The city of Vancouver is visible in the upper
part of the image.
The three call-outs to the right of the image demonstrate the increased
information content provided by high-resolution radar imaging. The top
call-out shows five cargo ships in English Bay -- structural detail of the
cargo holds is evident. The bright return from the stern is due to the
strong radar response from the superstructure of the ship.
The middle call-out shows the increased detail available over the Vancouver
Airport. The thin bright line feature coming in from the right hand side is
the new rapid transit Canada Line currently under construction for the 2010
Olympics. More information can also be extracted from the airport terminal
buildings and loading gates.
The bottom call-out shows the added detail provided by 3m imaging, which
enables greater differentiation of the agriculture fields under different
management practices and moisture conditions.
This image was acquired early in the commissioning phase, prior to any
adjustment of the radar gain settings.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
[http://www.radarsat2.info/about/gallery/first_images/iqaluit.asp]
In this RADARSAT-2 Fine Quad-Pol image, the community of Iqaluit can be seen
on the northern shores of Koojesse inlet -- an inlet of Frobisher Bay,
southeast Baffin Island. The image was acquired January 7, 2008 and is a
composite of the three radar data channels (HH, VV, HV) displayed in a
red-green-blue colour scheme. The scene is ~25km x 28km, with 8m nominal
resolution.
The Iqaluit airport runway is the dark linear feature located beside the
community. For the most part, Frobisher Bay is ice-covered; however due to
large tidal variations, areas of open water are visible along the shoreline
as well as in the Bay. RADARSAT-2 is an excellent tool for monitoring leads
and open water -- providing critical information for safety and navigational
needs.
The land clearly shows the striations typical of glaciated terrain.
High-resolution and polarimetric responses provide information for the
detailed mapping of terrain features, surface structure and variations in
surface topology.
This image was acquired early in the commissioning phase.
RADARSAT-2 Data and Products. Copyright MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates
Ltd. (2008) - All Rights Reserved.