UPDATE: I asked JAXA, and here's what they told me (it's along the lines of what we all expected):
Current version of data processing makes an erroneous bias of
sea ice extent on June 1st and October 15th which are seen
in the graph of sea ice extent as a small blip on these dates.
The apparent bias arises due to a switching of some parameters
in the processing on both dates. The parameter switching is
needed because the surface of the Arctic sea-ice becomes
wet in summer due to the melting of ice which changes
satellite-observed signatures of sea-ice drastically.
We are planning to improve the processing to make the gap
much smoother soon.
3 comments:
That is a good question. I don't know. Mail the source?
Or email Remote Sensing:
http://www.remss.com/papers/amsr/on-orbit_calibration_amsre_and_ocean_products.pdf
I recall noticing and asking about that some previous year; I think they recalibrate annually.
I'm disappointed Wm didn't know. What is the world coming to? ;o)
Best,
D
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