Why a massive data void exists at the Earth's South Pole
In short: Satellites have revolutionized how we map our planet, yet a significant blind spot remains. Because the GOCE satellite's orbit does not cross the poles, scientists are forced to fly specialized aircraft into the Antarctic wilderness to capture the missing gravity data required for a complete global model.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has utilized satellite missions like GOCE and CryoSat 2 to transform our ability to monitor Earth's ice fields and gravity. However, a critical 'data gap' persists at the South Pole. Because the GOCE satellite does not cross the poles, there is a lack of coverage in the southern polar gap, leaving a void in our understanding of the global gravity field. This information is crucial for geodetic studies and satellite orbit planning. It also helps scientists monitor how the Earth's ice fields respond to global changes.
To solve this, the PolarGAP campaign was launched during the 2015/16 field season. An international group, comprising the US National Science Foundation, DTU Space, the Norwegian Polar Institute, and the British Antarctic Survey, performed an aerial survey via Twin Otter planes. This mission aimed to collect high-quality gravity data, lidar, and radar to fill the GOCE gap and improve understanding of elevation changes in the region. These specialized aircraft also deployed innovative lidar technologies. Such efforts help map surface elevation over the region south of 83.5°.
The mission was a major success, acquiring nearly 100% of the planned data. Beyond gravity, the team collected Ku-band radar data to study how signals penetrate snow and firn, and gathered aeromagnetic and ice-penetrating radar data. These datasets are vital for building an accurately constrained global gravity model, which informs everything from navigation systems like GPS to our understanding of mass distribution across the oceans, atmosphere, and cryosphere. The collected aeromagnetic data also assists the Swarm mission. Furthermore, these findings augment existing continental compilations like BEDMAP 2 and ADMAP 2.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Earth from Space: PolarGAP
- Also: PolarGap - Earth Online
- Also: PolarGAP - British Antarctic Survey
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/space-earth-from-space-polargap.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics
