Founded in 1996, the ASPeCt (Antarctic Sea Ice Processes and Climate) Expert Group made its mission to increase understanding of Antarctic sea ice within the Earth system so as to improve the predictive skill of numerical simulations for future emission scenarios.
Within the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Physical Sciences program, ASPeCt provides the international science framework to direct sea-ice zone research undertaken by national Antarctic programmes, coordinate piggy-bag research, i.e., in partnership with the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP), and co-design and coordinate large international science initiatives, such as the International Polar Year, to achieve maximum scientific and logistic effectiveness.
ASPeCt is co-sponsored by Climate and Cryosphere (CliC), a key initiative of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). Here, ASPeCt will leverage the WCRP's track record in Model Intercomparison Projects (MIPs) to understand the required improvements in the representation of sea-ice processes to reduce model biases. ASPeCt also includes a component of data rescue of valuable historical sea-ice zone information.
Terms of Reference
ASPeCt Terms of Reference are listed below.
For more information, see the SCAR website.
- Standardization of sea-ice observing protocols, sea-ice core measurements, and sea-ice station sampling.
- Archive data from ship-based observations, sea-ice thickness profiles, sea-ice core analysis and snow measurements, including snow pits.
- Provide a metadata directory pointing to experiment data sets and buoy data.
- Sponsor workshops and conference sessions.
- Coordinate international collaboration on experiments.
- Facilitate data exchanges and joint analyses.
- Collaborate with relevant scientific expert or action groups to jointly develop system-based research solutions.
- Foster interaction and collaboration between scientists, technical experts and engineers to advance scope and skill of sensors, build integrated sensor packages and automate observing and analysis techniques.
- Coordinate exchanges of data and ideas between sea-ice observers and climate modellers with the aim of improving climate models.
- Provide expertise and consultation to SCAR, CliC, and WCRP and broadly on Antarctic sea ice.
Scientific Steering Committee
Dr. Petra Heil
Co-Chair
Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) and the Australian Antarctic Programs Partnership (AAPP), University of Tasmania, Australia
Prof. Marilyn Raphael
Co-Chair
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), United States
Prof. Stefanie Arndt
Communications and Data Expert
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) and University of Hamburg, Germany
Committee News
ASPeCt Science Workshop, virtual, 12-14 February 2025
The next ASPeCt Community workshop will be held online, 12-14 February 2025. There will be eastern and western hemisphere sessions each morning and evening, respectively. Individuals may chose one. Participation will be via Zoom. Register and submit suggestions here.
The ASPeCt Scientific Steering Committee invites the community to actively participate discussions on the following items:
- Review & update of ASPeCt Science Implementation Plan
- Establishment of ASPeCt Task Groups
- ASPeCt in Antarctica InSync: Community-led projects & activities
- Instrument & analysis updates
- National & data-set updates
- ASPeCt Community actions, including COP participation, upcoming meetings
- ...
We look forward to connect with you. Please express interest via the contact form on this page.
OPEN SCIENCE CONFERENCE
XI SCAR, Pucón, Chile, 19-23 August 2024
The 11th SCAR Open Science Conference was held in Pucón, Chile, 19-23 August. The programme and information are available via the conference website through this link.
The SCAR Open Science Conferences are held every two years to draw attention to Antarctic issues. They provide an opportunity for scientists from a variety of disciplines and countries to present their work, to network and become more involved in SCAR science activities.
ASPeCt was represented by several scientific presentations and posters, as well as through active participation in SCAR Delegates meetings and side events. ASPeCt appreciates the opportunities to provide updates of its activities and forward plans to the SCAR Physical Sciences Group and to Climate and Cryosphere, who held a 2.5 day side event.
ASPeCt COMMITTEE MEETING
ASPeCt’s Scientific Steering Committee hold workshops every one to two years (approximately) to report on research, present plans and coordinate between national programs. All scientists with an active interest in Antarctic sea ice research are invited to participate in these meetings. Please express interest via the contact form on this page.
UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE OF PARTIES
COP 28 UN Climate Change Conference took place at the Expo City, Dubai, UAE, from 30 November until 12 December 2023.
Click here to watch the presentation.
WMO PRESS RELEASE 2023-06-16
Alarming declines in Antarctic sea ice during both summer and winter prompted an urgent call to action from ASPeCt, emphasizing the need for increased polar research support. Led by ASPeCt and backed by the Arctic Sea-Ice Working Group, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issued a statement. The statement implores national and international programs to prioritize long-term observation efforts and crucial research to address critical knowledge gaps in both polar ice zones. This will enhance our collective understanding of Earth's system processes, ultimately aiding predictions of future environmental changes.
ASPeCt leadership structure consists of two Co-Chairs, both reporting to SCAR and CliC.
Other roles within the leadership structure include an Early Career Scientist, and a Communication and Data Executive.
For the ASPeCt Implementation Plan check the ASPeCt Science [https://aspectsouth.org/
Prof. Stefanie Arndt
Dr. Petra Heil
Prof. Marilyn Raphael
Professor Marilyn Raphael is affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she specializes in climate science, atmospheric dynamics, and polar meteorology. Her research focuses on understanding climate variability and change in polar regions, particularly in Antarctica.
Prof. Steve Ackley (Past Chair)
University of Texas, San Antonio, United States
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Germany
Los Alamos National Laboratory, United States
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), United States
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), United States
Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) and Australian Antarctic Programs Partnership (AAPP), University of Tasmania
Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) and Australian Antarctic Programs Partnership (AAPP), University of Tasmania
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Germany
Institute of Low Temperature Science Hokkaido University, Japan
University of Cantebury (Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha), New Zealand
University of Otago (Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka), New Zealand
University of Colorado, USA
Laboratoire d’Océanographie et du Climat and Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace (LOCEAN-IPSL), France
British Antarctic Survey (BAS), UK