This study is an investigation of how the properties of antarctic snow grains affect spectral and angular variations in the reflectance pattern of solar radiation in the visible and near-infrared bands. The project will increase our understanding of the optical properties of the antarctic ice sheet, and will provide a quantitative data base for polar terrestrial and planetary remote sensing applications. The goal of this research is to develop empirical and quantitative methods which can be used to relate satellite-based and other remotely sensed measurements to the microphysical of the snow surface. The project has implications that extend to the climatology of Antarctica since surface temperatures in the interior are determined to a great extent by the optical properties of the snow. The antarctic snow surface is moreover much more stable than mid-latitude alpine snow surfaces since there is little or no diurnal variation in the elevation of the sun. The antarctic snow and ice sheet is also less contaminated with soot and other deposited aerosols then non-polar snow surfaces. The project is well-designed, builds upon the existing data base, and is a necessary component in the development of interpretation algorithms for aircraft and satellite observations.
