By Karen Romano Young

The question of summer Arctic ice extent is up in the air — not to say it’s unknown. 

NASA goes to extra effort to assure the detailed accuracy of its measurements, including a new effort beginning this summer. 

Given the 40-plus-year coverage from space provided by the ICESat satellites, including ICESat-2, placed in orbit in 2018,  our understanding of the volume of sea ice is exquisite any time of year — but better in fall, winter, and spring. 

Past gaps have been filled on foot — and snowmobile, thanks to the efforts of researchers on the ground in Greenland… 

…and by supertough lasers provided by NASA IceBridge. 

 

Stay cool — unlike much of the Arctic.  

–Karen Romano Young is a writer, artist, deep-sea diver, and polar explorer. Follow her on Twitter & Instagram.