SEA ICE COVER OBSERVATION USING RADAR REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS
The physical basis of sea ice type formation and properties and their remote sensing in the microwave range are considered. Data about sea ice age and concentration is very important for navigation in ice. In winter these are the most important elements when solid ice is dominated and age characteristics provide a basis to judge about terrain and the spatial and temporal variability of sea ice cover. Analysis of existing techniques of remote sensing allowed to set that the necessary and sufficient conditions for the regular acquisition of the main characteristics of sea ice is using of radar images of the ice cover. The capabilities of satellite radar images for determination of the main sea ice parameters are analyzed. The ways of the radar image applicability for the monitoring of ice cover were shown on the basis of the principles of the radar.