NASA Studies How Clouds and Ice Shape Arctic Melt

NASA is flying two planes over the Arctic Ocean north of Greenland this summer. The planes have special tools to study why sea ice melts. This mission is called ARCSIX. It started taking measurements on May 28.

Scientists want to learn how many things affect sea ice melting. These include air and water temperatures, clouds, tiny particles called aerosols, and the shape of the ice. For example, smooth ice reflects sunlight, but ice with bumps or dark melt ponds absorbs more heat and melts faster.

About seventy-five scientists and crew members work on ARCSIX. They fly from Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland. The first part of the mission was in May and June to study the start of melting. The second part will be in July and August to watch the late summer and start of freezing.

Two aircraft fly during each part of the mission. One plane flies low to study the ice surface and energy from the ice. It also flies through clouds to study aerosols and cloud properties. The other plane flies higher to study the top of clouds and the atmosphere above the ice.

Scientists compare data from the planes with information from satellites. This helps them understand the interaction between clouds, aerosols, and sea ice. They study the 'old' multi-year ice and the 'new' ice to learn how the Arctic is changing.