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At least 433 records · Page 24

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NASA NTRS1988

Imaging spectroscopy II; Proceedings of the Meeting, San Diego, CA, Aug. 20, 21, 1987

The conference presents papers on airborne imaging spectrometers, imaging spectrometry analysis, and spaceborne imaging spectrometers. Consideration is given to an imaging spectrometer for ocean and land remote sensing, an advanced solid-state array spectroradiometer, airborne visible/infrared imaging spectrometer design and performance, and a signal chain for the airborne visible/infrared imaging spectrometer. Other topics include imaging spectrometry as a tool for botanical mapping, the estimation of forest canopy characteristics and nitrogen cycling using lasing spectrometry, and a continuous readout photon counting imaging detector.

Vane, Gregg↗

NASA NTRS1988

Sensor calibration for multiple direction reflectance observations

Spectral and radiometric calibrations of a pointable airborne spectroradiometer called ASAS are discussed. A laboratory integrating hemisphere is used to characterize the radiometric respones of ASAS detectors. Radiometric responses are linear except for an initial build-up lag in response to low levels of radiance. Assuming radiometric stability in flight, raw ASAS digital counts can be transformed to absolute spectral radiance values with an uncertainty of 5.5 percent attributable to the laboratory calibration. The calibrations are being applied to radiometrically correct ASAS data acquired from multiple view directions over a tall grass prairie during the 1987 growing season.

Irons, James R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A new technique to measure the spectral properties of conifer needles

A technique that enables the measurement of reflectance and transmittance of narrow leaves or needles with spectroradiometers equipped with a light source and integrating sphere is described. Measurement procedures and formulas for optical property calculations are presented. A test of the techniques resulted in absolute reflectance differences of 3 percent or less when comparing optical properties measured for whole leaves and narrow strips cut from the leaves.

Daughtry, C. S. T.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The Geologic Remote Sensing Field Experiment (GRSFE): The first geology multisensor airborne campaign

The primary objective of the Geologic Remote Sensing Field Experiment (GRSFE) is to acquire relevant data for geological sites that can be used to test models for extraction of surface property information from remote sensing data for earth, Mars and Venus in support of the Earth Observing System (EOS), Mars Observer, and Magellan, respectively. Over forty scientists from eight universities and three NASA centers are participating in GRSFE which is co-sponsored by the NASA Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program and the NASA Geology Program. Highlights of the airborne campaign included the first simultaneous acquisition of Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVRIS) and Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) data on September 29, 1989, and acquisition of Advanced Solid-State Array Spectroradiometer (ASAS), Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR), and Airborne Terrain Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) data all within three months of each other. The sites covered were Lunar Crater Volcanic Field and Fish Lake Valley in Nevada; and Cima Volcanic Field, Death Valley, and Ubehebe Crater in California. Coincident field measurements included meteorological and atmospheric measurements, visible/near-infrared and thermal spectra, and characterization of geology and vegetation cover. The GRSFE airborne and field data will be reduced to a suite of standard products and submitted, along with appropriate documentation, to the Planetary Data System (PDS) and the Pilot Land Data System (PLDS). These data will be used for a variety of investigations including paleoclimatic studies in the arid southwestern United States, and analysis of Magellan data. GRSFE data will also be used to support Mars Observer Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and Mars Rover Sample Return (MRSR) simulation studies.

Evans, Diane L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A pointable, helicopter-based remote sensing data acquisition system for collecting bidirectional reflectance data

Discussed here is a new configuration of a helicopter-borne remote sensing system to support field measurements programs such as studies of forest decline damage associated with atmospheric deposition and the Forest Ecosystems Dynamics project. In this new configuration, the sensor payload is mounted externally on a hinged pallet located on the starboard side of the Bell Iroquois UH-1B (HUEY) helicopter. The sensor payload includes a set of bore-sighted instruments consisting of a Barnes Modular Multiband Radiometer (MMR), a Spectron Engineering (SE) 590 spectroradiometer, an Everest infrared temperature sensor, and a Sony CCD video camera with a 10x zoom lens. The system was tested and excellent data was acquired in 1990.

Williams, Darrel L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Reflectance and transmittance of snow at high spectral resolution

A radiative-transfer model for the bidirectional reflectance-distribution function (BRDF) shows that snow is moderately anisotropic in the NIR wavelengths. Although the directional-hemispherical albedo of snow decreases as the grains become larger, the forward scattering also increases, with the result that the illumination and viewing geometry must be considered when interpreting physical properties of the surface layer of the snow pack from remote sensing data. Measurements of the BRDF and the transmittance for a variety of snow conditions were made throughout the winter and spring seasons with an SE-590 spectroradiometer, for wavelengths from 0.38 to 1.11 microns. Coincident with these, the surface grain properties were analyzed by stereological methods. A sphere with the same surface-to-volume ratio as the ice grains is used as the equivalent sphere.

Dozier, Jeff↗

NASA NTRS1991

Surface scattering properties estimated from modeling airborne multiple emission angle reflectance data

Here, researchers apply the Hapke function to airborne bidirectional reflectance data collected over three terrestrial surfaces. The objectives of the study were to test the range of natural surfaces that the Hapke model fits and to evaluate model parameters in terms of known surface properties. The data used are multispectral and multiple emission angle data collected during the Geologic Remote Sensing Field Experiment (GRSFE) over a mud-cracked playa, an artificially roughened playa, and a basalt cobble strewn playa at Lunar Lake Playa in Nevada. Airborne remote sensing data and associated field measurements were acquired at the same time. The airborne data were acquired by the Advanced Solid State Array Spectroradiometer (ASAS) instrument, a 29-spectral band imaging system. ASAS reflectance data for a cobble-strewn surface and an artificially rough playa surface on Lunar Lake Playa can be explained with the Hanke model. The cobble and rough playa sites are distinguishable by a single scattering albedo, which is controlled by material composition; by the roughness parameter, which appears to be controlled by the surface texture and particle size; and the symmetry factor of the single particle phase function, which is controlled by particle size and shape. A smooth playa surface consisting of compacted, fine-grained particles has reflectance variations that are also distinct from either the cobble site or rough playa site. The smooth playa appears to behave more like a Lambertian surface that cannot be modeled with the Hapke function.

Guinness, Edward A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Spectral bidirectional reflectance and effects on vegetation indices for a prairie grassland

Preliminary results of bidirectional reflectance data from two radiometric devices are presented and considered in the light of surface biophysical properties that affect surface radiometric parameters. The Portable Apparatus for Rapid Acquisition of Bidirectional Observations of the Land and Atmosphere and a high spectral continuous-wavelength spectroradiometer called the SE590 are employed to study hemispherical-conical reflectance factors. Examples of the resulting data sets are presented which show that the normalized-difference vegetation index and the Simple-Ratio vegetation index depend on the solar zenith and sensor-view zenith angles. Consideration is given to the importance of latitude, season, and time of day in interpreting the results of the indices since these factors can significantly affect the interpretive parameters.

Deering, D. W.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Ground-based remote sensing of ice clouds

A ground-based cloud water phased discriminating spectroradiometer was designed, built, and employed to obtain reflectance from the sides and tops of cumuliform towers during the Arizona summer monsoons from 1984 through 1987 (Pileaskie and Twomey, 1987 and 1988). The experimental procedure was designed to observe the upper regions of rapidly ascending turrets as they matured, obtaining spectra every two minutes to determine the onset of glaciation. Occasionally, conditions permitted continuous observations from time of cloud conception to full maturation, i.e., an advanced cumulonimbus marked by anvil growth, lightning, and precipitation.

Pilewskie, Peter↗

NASA NTRS1992

Remote sensing of the biological dynamics of large-scale salt evaporation ponds

Optical properties of salt evaporation ponds associated with Exportadora de Sal, a salt production company in Baja California Sur, Mexico, were analyzed using a combination of spectroradiometer and extracted pigment data, and Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper imagery. The optical characteristics of each pond are determined by the biota, which consists of dense populations of algae and photosynthetic bacteria containing a wide variety of photosynthetic and photoprotective pigments. Analysis has shown that spectral and image data can differentiate between taxonomic groups of the microbiota, detect changes in population distributions, and reveal large-scale seasonal dynamics.

Richardson, Laurie L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A contribution toward understanding the biospherical significance of Antarctic ozone depletion

The paper presents and compares measurements of biologically active UV radiation made by the NSF scanning spectroradiometer (UV-monitor) at Palmer Station, Antarctica, during the Austral springs of 1988, 1989, and 1990. Column ozone abundance above Palmer Station is computed from these measurements using a multiple wavelength algorithm. Two contrasting action spectra are employed to estimate the biologically relevant dose from the spectral measurements: a standard weighting function for damage to DNA, and a new action spectrum representing the potential for photosynthesis inhibition in Antarctic phytoplankton. The former weights only UV-B wavelengths (280-320 nm) and gives the most weight to wavelengths shorter than 300 nm, while the latter includes large contributions out to 355 nm. Ozone abundances and dose-weighted irradiances provided by the NSF UV-monitor are used to derive the radiation amplification factors for both DNA- and phytoplankton-effective irradiance.

Lubin, Dan↗

NASA NTRS1992

Response of Thematic Mapper bands to plant water stress

Changes in leaf reflectance as water content decreases have been hypothesized to occur in the 1.55-1.75 and 2.08-2.35 micron wavelength regions. To evaluate this hypothesis, studies were conducted on ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and oats (Avena sativa L.), which were grown in a controlled, outdoor situation. Both fully-watered control beds and water-stressed beds were periodically examined with a spectroradiometer calibrated against a reflectance reference of polytetrafluoroethylene. The observed changes correspond to those predicted by stochastic leaf models employed by other investigators (leaf reflection increases in the 1.55-1.75 micron region as leaf water content decreases). Although the percentage changes in TM bands 1-3 are nearly as great as those found in TM bands 5 and 7, the absolute values of reflectance change are much lower. It is believed that these patterns are probably characteristic of a broad range of vegetation types. In terms of phenomena detection, these patterns should be considered in any practical remote sensing sensor scenario.

Cibula, W. G.↗

NASA NTRS1991

OPAD 1991

The Optical Plume Anomaly Detection Program, an experimental study in the attempt to create a rocket engine health monitor based on detection and possible quantification of anomalous atomic and molecular species in the exhaust plume, has been in existence for several years. The instruments developed to monitor the exhaust plumes are presented. Two optical instruments are employed: the polychromator and the spectrometer. The polychromator is a 16 channel spectroradiometer having independent channels individually adjustable for center wavelength and pass bandwidth. Those values may be mechanically reset, with the aid of certain lab equipment. The spectrometer is a multichannel spectral analyzer having two 2048 element linear photodiode arrays at the exit plane of the dispersing instrument, which, like the 16 channel device, is a 1/2 meter grating spectrograph. These instruments are equipped with ultraviolet grade multifiber optical input cables, allowing the instruments to be placed in a benign environment. Telescopes mounted on the test stand observe the plume keeping the shock structure in view. The data acquisition and control system consist of four 80386-33 MHz computers: two at the test stand for instrument control and data preconditioning, and two in the test support building providing data archiving, display, and system control. Further descriptions of the instrumentation are provided.

Powers, W. T.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Reflectance stability analysis of Spectralon diffuse calibration panels

The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) plans to use deployable diffuse reflectance panels to provide periodic radiometric calibrations of its nine cameras while in-flight. Near-Lambertian reflectance characteristics are desirable to facilitate flat-field camera intercomparisons. Also required is panel spatial and spectral uniformity, and stability with time. Spectralon, a commercially available polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) compound, has been baselined in the MISR design. To assess the suitability of this material, a series of degradation tests were planned and implemented. These included UV vacuum exposure and proton bombardment tests which simulated the exposure levels to be encountered during the mission life. Proton levels are now considered too low to be of concern, but UV vacuum tests demonstrate sensitivity to material contamination. Material investigations have concluded that hydrocarbons are present in the bulk of the material, and that plastic packaging materials can introduce additional surface-layer contamination. It is found however, that these unwanted elements can be eliminated through vacuum pumping at elevated temperatures. Exposure to a UV source, while in vacuum, is again planned for a set of targets which have been vacuum baked. This will assess the stability of the pure PTFE form.

Bruegge, Carol J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Systems level polarization modeling of multispectral space sensors

The 2-percent polarization sensitivity specification in many of NASA's Earth Observing System sensors has motivated Santa Barbara Research Center (SBRC) to develop computer programs that model the polarization characteristics of optical systems. In support of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer program, SBRC has developed an analytical tool which unites the completed 3D lens design and coating designs to accurately predict an optical system's polarization characterization compensators, nonnormal incidence reflection and transmission from dichroic beam splitters and protected silver mirrors are analyzed without the need for proprietary coating prescriptions. The phenomenon of diattenuation and phase change are treated using the Jones matrix formalism.

Wells, Conrad↗

NASA NTRS1992

Linear polarization sensitivity specifications for space-borne instruments

The radiometric accuracy of space-borne instruments such as radiometers and spectroradiometers which make measurements of the earth and other celestial objects can be compromised by the linear polarization sensitivity (LPS) induced by the optical system. Most of these optical systems contain optical elements whose reflectance or transmission is polarization dependent, such as diffraction gratings, folding and scanning mirrors, dichroic filters, and optical fibers. Optical system incorporating such elements generally display linear polarization sensitivity; different linear polarization states incident with equal radiometric power will be measured as different power levels. If the incident polarization state is unknown, the linear polarization sensitivity cannot be compensated during the data reduction. The light reflected from the earth and other planets and moons is usually partially linearly polarized, but in a random distribution. Thus, to make accurate radiometric measurements of these bodies, a radiometer or spectrometer should have a low level of linear polarization sensitivity. This paper contains a mathematical description of LPS, contains references to systems which have imposed a LPS specification, describes some of the sources of LPS, describes how to model LPS by polarization ray tracing, and discusses methods to reduce the LPS of an optical system.

Maymon, Peter W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Radiative temperature measurements at Kupaianaha lava lake, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

The radiative temperature of the surface of Kupaianaha lava lake is computed using field spectroradiometer data. Observations were made during periods of active overturning. The lake surface exhibits three stages of activity. Magma fountaining and overturning events characterize stage 1, which exhibits the hottest crustal temperatures and the largest fractional hot areas. Rifting events between plates of crust mark stage 2; crustal temperatures in this stage are between 100 C and 340 C, and fractional hot areas are at least an order of magnitude smaller than those in stage 1. Stage 3 is characterized by quiescent periods when the lake is covered by a thick crust. This stage dominates the activity of the lake more than 90 percent of the time. The results of this study are relevant for satellite and airborne measurement of the thermal characteristics of active volcanoes, and indicate that the thermal output of a lava lake varies on a time scale of seconds to minutes.

Flynn, Luke P.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Use of Spectralon as a diffuse reflectance standard for in-flight calibration of earth-orbiting sensors

Spectralon, a commercially available diffuse reflectance material made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is being evaluated for the multiangle imaging spectroradiometer (MISR), currently under development for the Earth Observing System. Results of a series of environmental exposure tests indicate that no degradation of the optical properties was apparent following proton bombardment, and stability through UV illumination was satisfactory, provided simple cleaning and handling procedures were implemented. A buildup of several thousand volts of static charge was found to develop while simulating a rare pass through an auroral storm.

Bruegge, Carol J.↗