We are keen to build your instruments for you, saving you the considerable time and effort needed to develop rugged measurement systems. Let us know what you have in mind – our instruments can be tailored to your needs. These units are also listed at Polar Monitoring along with MetOcean equipment.
Ice motion tracker “Alberto”
Our ice motion tracker is a stand-alone GNSS unit for monitoring the movement of the surface it is positioned on. Ideal for sea ice and outlet glaciers. The solar-powered ice motion tracker can be left unattended for several years, and transmit its coordinates for you to receive in your email inbox or through our data portal. Not only does this provide real-time insights into ice dynamics, it also allows swift localization and recovery during field visits. The unit is extremely rugged and easy to set up. For high-precision positioning we can equip the unit with a dual-frequency receiver.
Ice ablation tracker
Designed for measuring ice ablation in inaccessible glaciated regions, our draw wire ice ablation tracker (DWIAT) is equipped with a rugged tripod withstanding severe storms and large forces by winter snow accumulation, yet is easy to transport and assemble. The unit can track up to 14 m of ablation until redrilling of the wire is required. As with the “Alberto”, the unit is solar powered and uses GNSS positioning for tracking ice motion. Data are stored locally in the datalogger, and transmitted to your email inbox or our data portal. The DWIAT can be outfitted with additional sensors.
Surface mass balance tracker
Our SMB tracker is essentially a DWIAT with additional snow height and air temperature measurement capability. Where the draw wire measures ice ablation, a sonic height ranger keeps track of the snow layer seasonally deposited on the ice surface. For low-accumulation areas we mount the sonic ranger on the side of the box (1.2 m), while for regions with ample winter snowfall we install the instrument on a mast.
Glacier weather station
Our glacier weather station (GWS) measures the meteorological variables relevant to your research including air temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind speed and direction. This solar-powered unit can withstand large forces by wind and snow compaction, and transmit its location and measurements to you in near real time while storing a backup locally. The weather station can be outfitted to measure surface mass balance (ablation/accumulation), rain, or whichever additional variables your research may benefit from.
Polar time lapse camera
Our time lapse camera system is designed to remain operational in extreme cold and dark conditions for extended periods. The materials used are chosen for the unit to survive high wind stress, sand blasting, rodent attack, and other threats to instrumentation in polar and high-altitude regions. The unit uses a SLR camera. Ideal for monitoring glacier calving, glacier movement, meltwater flow, changes in snow cover, and other process too slow for conventional video to capture.
Thermistor string
We produce thermistor strings that allow you to measure subsurface temperatures with precision. Hand-made by our technicians and entirely constructed from their basic components, our thermistor strings will meet your requirements exactly. The strings can be used in snow, ice, water, soil, or rock.
Robotic observational platform
Through our partner Polar Research Equipment we offer robotic data collection services. These robots are exceptionally useful on glaciers and ice sheet, as their low ground pressure allows them to operate in snow-covered crevassed regions inaccessible to humans. Even on safe ground, robots can tow more instrumentation, for a longer period, and faster than humans can.
Prices
