BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) — Chinese scientists have successfully carried out a detection experiment on the Antarctic ice sheet using an ultra-wideband hyperspectral microwave radiometer developed by China, as reported by the team of the 41st Chinese Antarctic Expedition.
The team conducted joint air-ground experiments using helicopters and snowmobiles to successfully carry out remote sensing of the temperature distribution beneath the Antarctic ice.
Zhu Di, a researcher at the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, explained that the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet often begins from the bottom. However, traditional methods of detecting subglacial temperatures are both expensive and difficult.
This innovative equipment detects weak microwave radiation emanating from within the Antarctic ice sheet, allowing it to map the temperature distribution from the ice surface to the base, at depths reaching 4,000 meters, said Mr. Zhu.
This technology is expected to provide crucial data for research on ice sheet melting, the evolution of subglacial lakes and water systems, as well as changes in sea levels, Mr. Zhu added. End
Source: french.news
