NASA | A Selective History of Arctic Sea Ice Observations, Part 2

The video discusses the evolution of satellite technology for observing Arctic sea ice, starting with early Tyros weather satellites and advancing to more sophisticated instruments like Nimbus 5 and ICESAT. It highlights the decline in Arctic ice cover, with significant reductions noted from 1999 onwards. New missions focus on measuring ice thickness, crucial for understanding climate impacts. The video emphasizes ongoing research efforts to study ice cover and thickness, predicting continued ice shrinkage and its global climate implications.

What was a major limitation of the early Tyros weather satellites in observing Arctic sea ice?

• They could not capture images during the day.

• They could only capture images in black and white.

• They were unable to see through clouds or during the polar night.

• They had a very short operational lifespan.

Which satellite, launched in 1972, provided all-weather imagery of sea ice?

• Aqua

• ICESAT

• Nimbus 5

• Tyros

By 1999, what was the observed rate of Arctic ice cover loss per decade?

• 2%

• 1%

• 3%

• 4%

What was a significant outcome of the 2007 Arctic ice decline?

• It led to the discovery of new ice formations.

• It showed that ice levels were returning to normal.

• It highlighted the need to measure ice thickness, not just surface area.

• It resulted in the cancellation of several satellite missions.

What do computer models predict about the future of Arctic sea ice?

• It will remain stable.

• It will increase significantly.

• It will continue to shrink.

• It will disappear completely by 2025.