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Instrument

WISM
Wideband Instrument for Snow Measurements

The Wideband Instrument for Snow Measurements (WISM) is an airborne remote sensing instrument that measures surface snowfall and snow water equivalent (SWE). It comprises a dual-frequency (X- and Ku-band) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and a dual-frequency (X- and Ka-band) radiometer, both using a single antenna aperture. The radar detects backscatter, while the radiometer measures brightness temperature to determine surface snow properties. WISM operates in the 8-40 GHz frequency range.

Image of the WISM instrument onboard the Twin Otter
NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory passes Antarctica's tallest peak, Mount Vinson, on Oct. 22, 2012, during a flight over the continent to measure changes in the massive ice sheet and sea ice. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger (Photography courtesy NASA Images)

Overview

Instrument Details

Multi
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Snow Water Equivalent
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Radar > Radar Imagery
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Radar > Radar Backscatter
Land Surface
Variable
Variable
8-40 GHz
Currently unavailable

  • Tim Durham

  • Tim Durham

  • L3Harris Technologies, Inc., GSFC

  • NASA

  • Currently unavailable

    • Unpublished

Instrument Operation

SnowEx

SnowEx

2016—2023
Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Alaska
view all deployment dates
4 Deployments
· 86 Data Products

Data Products