February 29, 2008 - Sea Ice off of Antarctica

Sea Ice off of Antarctica

This image, captured by the MODIS on the Aqua satellite on February 24, 2008, shows sea ice off the coast of Antarctica.

Antarctica, the southernmost continent on Earth, lies over the South Pole. Approximately 98% of Antarctica is covered in ice, averaging 1 mile in thickness. On average, it is also the coldest, driest, and windiest continent. Antarctica is surrounded by the Southern Ocean, and divided in half by the Transantarctic Mountains.

Image Facts
Satellite: Aqua
Date Acquired: 02/24/2008
Resolutions: 1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC