These Arctic sea ice images represent real data captured by the AMSR-E instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite. The top image is from Mar. 7, 2011, when sea ice reached its maximum extent this year, near the end of winter. The bottom image is from Sept. 9, 2011, around the time sea ice reached its minimum extent this year, near the end of summer. Both extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice remains in a long-term decline, correlated with rising global surface temperatures.
Image courtesy of NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio, Goddard Space Flight Center.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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Bruno Boutot, Lara-queen, anadah, space the final frontier, and 42 other people added this photo to their favorites.
![Arctic Sea Ice Maximum and Minimum 2011 [Diptych]](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6084/6150271613_f2d9bb630a_s.jpg)
![Arctic Sea Ice 2011 Minimum [hd video]](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6199/6150172293_a881bebd6e_s.jpg)
anadah 21 months ago | reply
NOW this is great! :)
mpmark 21 months ago | reply
amazing but sad...I'd like to see today's minimum with the earliest recorded minimum...
jupitersolo 21 months ago | reply
So there's a lot of ice when it's cold, and not so much when it's hot.
dodagp 21 months ago | reply
Even worrisome situations bear their own beauty.
shellipsm 21 months ago | reply
Does this image exist from years ago perhaps? To compare?
Johannes_wl 21 months ago | reply
So coool.
joseph webb 21 months ago | reply
Super rad.
Longfinger1 21 months ago | reply
Superb!... As Always, thank you!
Andrew.T@NN 21 months ago | reply
poor polar bear
Rafał P. 21 months ago | reply
Cool picture!
laguglio 21 months ago | reply
Incredible images...
Promeneur 20 months ago | reply
no more room for polar bears
thinkpatrick 18 months ago | reply
Le présent du passé Montréal. 16 months ago | reply
normal.....the arctic sea ice is historycally extremely variable ,winter and summer variable zone..I have plenty books about this(1900-2000) ,warm water from south,and warmer air from south (Mexico gulf) stream...don't panic,nothing change i'ts NORMAL.
Le présent du passé Montréal. 16 months ago | reply
nice picture........10/10!
Frontierofficial 2 months ago | reply
Great photo! This photo has been used by www.frontiergap.com in a blog post:
gapyearblog.org.uk/science-club/2013/4/5/sea-ice-decrease...
Thanks for sharing!