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At least 469 records · Page 26

A high resolution, field portable spectrometer

The design of a high resolution, field portable spectrometer system is presented. The system provides the spectral resolution previously available only with laboratory based systems. The system's portability allows for essential in situ measurements, provides rapid acquisition and calibration of spectral reflectance data over a wavelength band from about 300 to 1000 nm. Features include a calibration scheme for normalizing data to the incident radiation, and the injection of a spectral calibration signal. Laboratory tests indicate that the system will perform as expected, and plans are being made to integrate the system with a ground based active and passive microwave data acquisition system.

Warren, G. L.↗

The heat capacity mapping mission

The first in a series of low cost Atmospheric Explorer Satellites, the Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) was designed to evaluate the utility of thermal inertial and other thermal and reflectance data for: (1) discriminating bedrock and unconsolidated regolith types; (2) mapping soil moisture; (3) measuring plant canopy temperatures; (4) examining thermal circulation in large bodies of water; and (5) monitoring urban heat islands. Final reports from the HCMM investigator's program are beginning to define the utility of day/the night thermal data. Under favorable circumstances, some major rock types can be identified, soil moisture in extensive agricultural and alluvial terrains can be detected and at least semiqualitatively assessed; and circulation of currents in large bodies of water can be followed by noting thermal patterns.

Short, N. M.↗

Monitoring tropical vegetation succession with LANDSAT data

The shadowing problem, which is endemic to the use of LANDSAT in tropical areas, and the ability to model changes over space and through time are problems to be addressed when monitoring tropical vegetation succession. Application of a trend surface analysis model to major land cover classes in a mountainous region of the Phillipines shows that the spatial modeling of radiance values can provide a useful approach to tropical rain forest succession monitoring. Results indicate shadowing effects may be due primarily to local variations in the spectral responses. These variations can be compensated for through the decomposition of the spatial variation in both elevation and MSS data. Using the model to estimate both elevation and spectral terrain surface as a posteriori inputs in the classification process leads to improved classification accuracy for vegetation of cover of this type. Spatial patterns depicted by the MSS data reflect the measurement of responses to spatial processes acting at several scales.

Robinson, V. B.↗

Radiative transfer model for heterogeneous 3-D scenes

A general mathematical framework for simulating processes in heterogeneous 3-D scenes is presented. Specifically, a model was designed and coded for application to radiative transfers in vegetative scenes. The model is unique in that it predicts (1) the directional spectral reflectance factors as a function of the sensor's azimuth and zenith angles and the sensor's position above the canopy, (2) the spectral absorption as a function of location within the scene, and (3) the directional spectral radiance as a function of the sensor's location within the scene. The model was shown to follow known physical principles of radiative transfer. Initial verification of the model as applied to a soybean row crop showed that the simulated directional reflectance data corresponded relatively well in gross trends to the measured data. However, the model can be greatly improved by incorporating more sophisticated and realistic anisotropic scattering algorithms

Kimes, D. S.↗

Mineral identification from orbit - Initial results from the Shuttle multispectral infrared radiometer

The Shuttle multispectral IR radiometer (SMIRR) was designed to obtain surface reflectance data in ten spectral bands in order to evaluate the usefulness of a future imaging system for remote mineral identification. Attention was given to the 2.0-2.4 micron region, which has a wealth of spectral absorption features and appeared to have potential for the identification of CO3- and OH-bearing minerals such as the kaolinite and montmorillonite clays. SMIRR radiances were normalized by using a spectrum for dune sand collected in the Kharga Depression in Egypt. Direct identifications have been made of kaolinite-containing and carbonate material, indicating an exceptional potential for future orbital platform narrowband spectral imaging systems for mineralogical mapping.

Goetz, A. F. H.↗

Atmospheric model development

Spectral albedo measurements from the LANDSAT-4/5 thematic mappers require that spacecraft upwelling radiances be corrected for atmospheric absorption and scattering and for local surface illumination. A two-stream model is developed, with a lower boundary condition that varies with incidence angle. The TM data must be registered to digital terrain data. Reflectance from points in shadows can be used to estimate optical depth. The primary application is determination of the spectral albedo of snow. The TM is better-suited for this purpose than the MSS because of its larger dynamic range.

Source record↗

Biophysical and spectral modeling for crop identification and assessment

The development of a technique for estimating all canopy parameters occurring in a canopy reflectance model from the measured canopy reflectance data is summarized. The Suits and the SAIL model for a uniform and homogeneous crop canopy were used to determine if the leaf area index and the leaf angle distribution could be estimated. Optimal solar/view angles for measuring CR were also investigated. The use of CR in many wavelengths or spectral bands and of linear and nonlinear transforms of CRs for various solar/view angles and various spectral bands is discussed as well as the inversion of rediance data inside the canopy, angle transforms for filtering out terrain slope effects, and modification of one dimensional models.

Goel, N. S.↗

Asteroid-meteorite connection: Regolith effects implied by lunar reflectance spectra

The effect of soil formation on the spectral characteristics of asteroids were estimated in situ properties of materials affected by the space environment other than those associated with agglutinates. In his initial survey of the reflectance properties of lunar samples, J.B. Adams measured a few chips from the exterior and interior of Apollo rocks. For Apollo 12 basalts 12053-12063 , the exterior and interior spectra exhibited strong absorption bands which were very similar in nature; the exterior fragment was a bit brighter, which was attributed to microbrecciation. Mature lunar soils measured undisturbed surface areas at the landing sites. It was hypothesized that freshly exposed material at fresh impact craters should be comparable to powdered rock samples in the laboratory. This expected trend seemed to be true with the early reflectance data, but as the more complete near-infrared data has become available it is clear that there is no simple correspondence of rock type (laboratory powder or chip measurement) to freshly exposed surface material (telescopic measurements of fresh crater classes).

Pieters, C. M.↗

Remote Sensing Analyses of Localized Lunar Dark Mantle Deposits

Near-infrared spectral reflectance data were obtained for 12 localized lunar dark mantle deposits. The dominant feature in these data is the Fe(+2) absorption band in the 1.0 micron wavelength region. In order to emphasize differences in the characteristics of this absorption band, a straight-line continuum was removed from these spectra. On the basis of the depth and shape of this 1.0 micron absorption band, these spectra can be separated into three groups. Group 1 includes spectra from Grimaldi pyroclastics, Franklin floor, Atlas dhc 1, and Archimedes south rim. Absorption band centers in this group are located near 0.93 to 0.95 microns, and depths are approximately 4 to 5%. The shape of the 1.0 micron band in these spectra can be described as check-like, with a straight, steep short-wavelength edge and a straight longer-wavelength edge with a shallower slope. Group 2 is comprised of spectra from Aristoteles East 1 and 2, Rima Fresnel and Atlas dhc 2. These 1.0 micron bands are centered near 0.96 micron, and are deeper (7%) and more symmetrical than those in Group 1. Spectra in group 3 are represented by that of J. Herschel; which have a moderately deep (7%), broad absorption band in the 1.0 micron wavelength region.

Gaddis, L. R.↗

Proposed design class of grazing incidence echelle spectrometers - Critical analysis and reevaluation

The class of miltibounce grazing spectrometers proposed by Cash (1982) and by McClintock and Cash (1982) is analyzed, and performance values significantly lower than asserted by these authors are found. Ray tracing calculations used to examine the design parameters given in the above papers are reported, as is the efficiency which results from use of accepted reflectance data. Several schemes which can improve some of the performance parameters are indicated.

Hettrick, M. C.↗

Optimal directional view angles for remote-sensing missions

The present investigation is concerned with the directional, off-nadir viewing of terrestrial scenes using remote-sensing systems from aircraft and satellite platforms, taking into account advantages of such an approach over strictly nadir viewing systems. Directional reflectance data collected for bare soil and several different vegetation canopies in NOAA-7 AVHRR bands 1 and 2 were analyzed. Optimum view angles were recommended for two strategies. The first strategy views the utility of off-nadir measurements as extending spatial and temporal coverage of the target area. The second strategy views the utility of off-nadir measurements as providing additional information about the physical characteristics of the target. Conclusions regarding the two strategies are discussed.

Kimes, D. S.↗

Low earth orbit environmental effects on osmium and related optical thin-film coatings

A number of samples of optical thin film materials were flown on Shuttle flight STS-8 as part of an experiment to evaluate their interaction with residual atomic oxygen in low earth orbit. Osmium was selected because of its usefulness as a reflective optical coating for far-UV instruments and for confirmation of results from previous Shuttle flights in which such coatings disappeared. Reflectance data and photographic evidence are presented to support the hypothesis that the osmium disappearance is due to reaction with oxygen to form a volatile oxide. Platinum and iridium, which were included for comparison, fared much better.

Gull, T. R.↗

A torque, tension and stress corrosion evaluation of high strength A286 bolts

The problems associated with overtorque applied to the Booster Separation Motor (BSM) Igniter Adapter high strength 200 KSI (1379 Mpa) A286 CRES bolts and the threaded holes of the 7075-T73 aluminum alloy BSM cases are addressed. The evaluation included torque, tensile, and stress corrosion tests incorporating the A286 CRES bolts and the 7075-T73 aluminum alloy BSM cases. The tensile test data includes ultimate tensile load (UTL), Johnson's 2/3 yield load (J2/3YL), proportional limit load (PLL), and total bolt stretch. Torque tension data includes torque, torque induced load, and positive and negative break-away torque. Stress corrosion test data reflect the overtorque and the resulting torque induced loads sustained by the A286 CRES bolts torqued into a 7075-T73 aluminum alloy forged dome with threaded holes. After 60 days of salt fog exposure, the positive and the negative break-away torques, the subsequent mechanical property tensile test results, and the BSM dome threaded hole axial tensile pullout loads are reported.

Montano, J. W.↗

Space station impact experiments

Four processes serve to illustrate potential areas of study and their implications for general problems in planetary science. First, accretional processes reflect the success of collisional aggregation over collisional destruction during the early history of the solar system. Second, both catastrophic and less severe effects of impacts on planetary bodies survivng from the time of the early solar system may be expressed by asteroid/planetary spin rates, spin orientations, asteroid size distributions, and perhaps the origin of the Moon. Third, the surfaces of planetary bodies directly record the effects of impacts in the form of craters; these records have wide-ranging implications. Fourth, regoliths evolution of asteroidal surfaces is a consequence of cumulative impacts, but the absence of a significant gravity term may profoundly affect the retention of shocked fractions and agglutinate build-up, thereby biasing the correct interpretations of spectral reflectance data. An impact facility on the Space Station would provide the controlled conditions necessary to explore such processes either through direct simulation of conditions or indirect simulation of certain parameters.

Schultz, P.↗

Relations between extensional tectonics and magmatism within the Southern Oklahoma aulacogen

Variations in the geometry, distribution and thickness of Cambrian igneous and sedimentary units within southwest Oklahoma are related to a late Proterozoic - early Paleozoic rifting event which formed the Southern Oklahoma aulacogen. These rock units are exposed in the Wichita Mountains, southwest Olkahoma, located on the northern margin of a Proterozoic basin, identified in the subsurface by COCORP reflection data. Overprinting of the Cambrian extensional event by Pennyslvanian tectonism obsured the influence of pre-existing basement structures and contrasting basement lithologies upon the initial development of the aulacogen.

Mcconnell, D. A.↗

Spectral characteristics and the extent of paleosols of the Palouse formation

Spectral relationships were investigated for several bare soil fields which were in summer fallow rotation on the date of the imagery. Printouts of each band were examined and compared to aerial photography. Bands with dissimilar reflectance patterns for known areas were then combined using ratio techniques which were proven useful in other studies (Williams, 1983). Selected ratios were Thematic Mapper (TM) 1/TM4, TM3/TM4, and TM5/TM4. Cluster analyses and Baysian and Fastclass classifier images were produced using the three ratio images. Plots of cluster analysis outputs revealed distinct groupings of reflectance data representing green crops, ripened crops, soil and green plants, and bare soil. Bare soil was represented by a line of clusters on plots of the ratios TM5/TM4 and TM3/TM4. The soil line was investigated further to determine factors involved in the distributin of clusters alone the line. The clusters representing the bare soil line were also studied by plotting the Tm5/TM4, TM1/TM4 dimension. A total of 76 soil samples were gathered and analyzed for organic carbon.

Frazier, B. E.↗

Compositional information for the Moon: Some characteristics of current near-IR spectra (telescopic and laboratory)

For the last decade telescopic near infrared spectra have been obtained for small lunar areas. Such spectra, with the ground truth foundation from lunar samples, have been used extensively to address a multitude of problems in lunar science. Much of the near infrared spectral reflectance data from both laboratory and telescopic measurements have recently been compiled in comparable formats and an initial comparative assessment of the available data using selected spectral parameters has been made. The objective is to develop a framework for the systematics of lunar near-IR spectra in order to better interpret spectra of unknown materials in terms of useful compositional information. Each spectrum was first classified according to its general character then a variety of parameters sensitive to mineralogy and alteration products were measured for each spectrum: band width, band strength, absorption band center near 1 micron, band symmetry, continuum slope, etc. The telescopic and laboratory data sets are briefly described. The comparative analysis shows that a few well known lunar spectral properties are evident in both sets, such as the systematic variation in pyroxene composition between the highlands and the mare. However, an additional gabbroic component can be detected in many highland craters.

Pieters, Carle M.↗