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At least 649 records · Page 36

Chlorophyll Algorithms for Ocean Color Sensors - OC4, OC5 and OC6

A high degree of consistency and comparability among chlorophyll algorithms is necessary to meet the goals of merging data from concurrent overlapping ocean color missions for increased coverage of the global ocean and to extend existing time series to encompass data from recently launched missions and those planned for the near future, such as PACE, OLCI, HawkEye, EnMAP and SABIA-MAR. To accomplish these goals, we developed 65 empirical ocean color (OC) chlorophyll algorithms for 25 satellite instruments using the largest available and most globally representative database of coincident in situ chlorophyll a and remote sensing reflectances. Excellent internal consistency was achieved across these OC ‘Version -7’ algorithms, as demonstrated by a median regression slope and coefficient of determination (R (sup 2)) of 0.985 and 0.859, respectively, among 903 pairwise comparisons of OC-modeled chlorophyll. SeaWiFS and MODIS-Aqua satellite-to-in situ match-up results indicated equivalent, and sometimes superior, performance to current heritage chlorophyll algorithms.

ocean color↗

Effect of differential spectral reflectance on DIAL measurements using topographic targets

Differential absorption lidar (DIAL) measurements of atmospheric gases and temperature made using topographic targets to provide the backscattered signal are subject to errors from the differential spectral reflectance of the target materials. The magnitude of this effect is estimated for a number of DIAL measurements reported in the literature. Calculations are presented for several topographic targets. In general the effect on a DIAL measurement increases directly with increasing wavelength and laser line separation, and inversely with differential absorption coefficient and distance to the target. The effect can be minimized by using tunable or isotope lasers to reduce the laser line separation or by using additional reference wavelengths to determine the surface differential spectral reflectance.

Grant, W. B.↗

Sensitivity of Multiangle, Multispectral Polarimetric Remote Sensing Over Open Oceans to Water-Leaving Radiance: Analyses of RSP Data Acquired During the MILAGRO Campaign

For remote sensing of aerosol over the ocean, there is a contribution from light scattered underwater. The brightness and spectrum of this light depends on the biomass content of the ocean, such that variations in the color of the ocean can be observed even from space. Rayleigh scattering by pure sea water, and Rayleigh-Gans type scattering by plankton, causes this light to be polarized with a distinctive angular distribution. To study the contribution of this underwater light polarization to multiangle, multispectral observations of polarized reflectance over ocean, we previously developed a hydrosol model for use in underwater light scattering computations that produces realistic variations of the ocean color and the underwater light polarization signature of pure sea water. In this work we review this hydrosol model, include a correction for the spectrum of the particulate scattering coefficient and backscattering efficiency, and discuss its sensitivity to variations in colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and in the scattering function of marine particulates. We then apply this model to measurements of total and polarized reflectance that were acquired over open ocean during the MILAGRO field campaign by the airborne Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP). Analyses show that our hydrosol model faithfully reproduces the water-leaving contributions to RSP reflectance, and that the sensitivity of these contributions to Chlorophyll a concentration [Chl] in the ocean varies with the azimuth, height, and wavelength of observations. We also show that the impact of variations in CDOM on the polarized reflectance observed by the RSP at low altitude is comparable to or much less than the standard error of this reflectance whereas their effects in total reflectance may be substantial (i.e. up to >30%). Finally, we extend our study of polarized reflectance variations with [Chl] and CDOM to include results for simulated spaceborne observations.

Chowdhary, Jacek↗

On the Angular Variation of Solar Reflectance of Snow

Spectral and integrated solar reflectance of nonhomogeneous snowpacks were derived assuming surface reflection of direct radiation and subsurface multiple scattering. For surface reflection, a bidirectional reflectance distribution function derived for an isotropic Gaussian faceted surface was considered and for subsurface multiple scattering, an approximate solution of the radiative transfer equation was studied. Solar radiation incident on the snowpack was decomposed into direct and atmospherically scattered radiation. Spectral attenuation coefficients of ozone, carbon dioxide, water vapor, aerosol and molecular scattering were included in the calculation of incident solar radiation. Illustrative numerical results were given for a case of North American winter atmospheric conditions. The calculated dependence of spectrally integrated directional reflectance (or albedo) on solar elevation was in qualitative agreement with available observations.

Chang, A. T. C.↗

On the angular variation of solar reflectance of snow

Spectral and integrated solar reflectance of nonhomogeneous snowpacks are derived assuming surface reflection of direct radiation and subsurface multiple scattering. For surface reflection, a bidirectional reflectance distribution function derived for an isotropic Gaussian faceted surface is considered, and for subsurface multiple scattering an approximate solution of the radiative transfer equation is studied. Solar radiation incident on the snowpack is decomposed into direct and atmospherically scattered radiation. Spectral attenuation coefficients of ozone, carbon dioxide, water vapor, aerosol, and molecular scattering are included in the calculation of incident solar radiation. Illustrative numerical results are given for a case of North American winter atmospheric condition. The calculated dependence of spectrally integrated directional reflectance (or albedo) on solar elevation is in qualitative agreement with available observations.

Choudhury, B. J.↗

Heat transfer and forces on concave surfaces in free molecule flow.

A Monte Carlo modeling technique is described for mathematically simulating free molecular flows over a concave spherical surface and a concave cylindrical surface of finite length. The half-angle of the surfaces may vary from 0 to 90 degrees, and the incident flow may have an arbitrary speed ratio and an arbitrary angle of attack. Partial diffuse reflection and imperfect energy accommodation for molecules colliding with the surfaces are also considered. Results of heat transfer, drag and lift coefficients are presented for a variety of flow conditions. The present Monte Carlo results are shown to be in very good agreement with certain available theoretical solutions.

Fan, C.↗

Flow visualization of leading-edge vortex enhancement by spanwise blowing

Flow visualization studies were conducted in a small pilot wind tunnel to determine qualitative effects of blowing a discrete jet essentially parallel to the leading edge of a 45 deg-swept trapezoidal wing featuring leading- and trailing-edge flaps. Test parameters included wing angle-of-attack, jet momentum coefficient, leading- and trailing-edge flap deflections, and nozzle chordwise displacement. Results of this study indicate that blowing from a reflection plane over the wing enhances the leading-edge vortex and delays vortex bursting to higher angles-of-attack and greater span distances. Increased blowing rates decrease vortex size, growth rate, and vertical displacement above the wing surface at a given span station and also extend the spanwise effectiveness of lateral blowing. Deflection of a leading-edge flap delays the beneficial effects of spanwise blowing to higher angles-of-attack. Nozzle chordwise locations investigated for the wing with and without leading-edge flap deflection appear equally effective in enhancing the separated leading-edge flow.

Erickson, G. E.↗

Microwave Photoelasticity: Exploiting Multiple Resonances to Measure Stress Changes within Yttria-Partially-Stabilized-Zirconia

The NASA Glenn Research Center is developing non-destructive-testing (NDT) methods to enable the measurement of stresses embedded in optically opaque materials using microwave radiation in a free-space quasi-optical system. This methodology tracks microwave resonances observed in reflected scattering parameters extracted from materials under load. In this paper, we report the successful measurement of the stress-optic-coefficient of bulk yttria-partially stabilized zirconia (YTZP) ceramic of C = 1.42 x 10-4 ± 6.65 x 10-6 (1/GPa), across W-Band (80-100 GHz), and determined that this result is independent of sample thickness. The primary goal of this research is to establish a methodology to quantify and assess the life expectancy of ceramic thermal and environmental barrier coating (TBCs/EBCs). Bulk YTZP samples can undergo multiple resonances within a contiguous measurement bandwidth, each corresponding to an integer multiple wave number ∝. This allows for the acquisition and analysis of multiple stress measurement points within a single sample. As an additional benefit, one can approximate the refractive index of YTZP across a wide bandwidth by observing multiple resonances produced by a set of samples with varying thicknesses. Using this approach, the refractive index of bulk YTZP was found to be n = 5.80 ± 0.043 across the 85-115 GHz frequency band.

Seth W. Waldstein↗

Effects of Lateral Plasma Density and Temperature Diffusion on VCSEL Performance

The hydrodynamic model is further verified by applying to a gain-guided single mode VCSEL. DC effects of D(sub NN): (1) increase threshold current J(sub th) and decrease slope efficiency; (2) within the studied range (50% pumping within threshold and realistic diffusion coefficient for a single mode), the L-I relation scales with the relative Injection current (J/J(sub th) - 1). AC effects of D(sub NN): (1) decrease spectral bandwidth and responsivity of direct-current modulation; (2) within the studied range, the frequency response follows the same formal dependence as predicted without diffusion and under a linear gain model, while the resonant frequency position similarly scales with the relative injection current; (3) therefore, it is concluded that the AC effects of D(sub NN) is purely of static nature and reflected via its influence on ot and J(sub th). Within this study, the nonlinear effects of D(sub NN) are mostly reproducible with an equivalent constant diffusion coefficient.

Li, Jian-Zhong↗

Determination of the Rate Coefficients of the SO2 plus O plus M yields SO3 plus M Reaction

Rate coefficients of the title reaction R(sub 31) (SO2 +O+M yields SO3 +M) and R(sub 56) (SO2 + HO2 yields SO3 +OH), important in the conversion of S(IV) to S(VI),were obtained at T =970-1150 K and rho (sub ave) = 16.2 micro mol/cubic cm behind reflected shock waves by a perturbation method. Shock-heated H2/ O2/Ar mixtures were perturbed by adding small amounts of SO2 (1%, 2%, and 3%) and the OH temporal profiles were then measured using laser absorption spectroscopy. Reaction rate coefficients were elucidated by matching the characteristic reaction times acquired from the individual experimental absorption profiles via simultaneous optimization of k(sub 31) and k(sub 56) values in the reaction modeling (for satisfactory matches to the observed characteristic times, it was necessary to take into account R(sub 56)). In the experimental conditions of this study, R(sub 31) is in the low-pressure limit. The rate coefficient expressions fitted using the combined data of this study and the previous experimental results are k(sub 31,0)/[Ar] = 2.9 10(exp 35) T(exp ?6.0) exp(?4780 K/T ) + 6.1 10(exp 24) T(exp ?3.0) exp(?1980 K/T ) cm(sup 6) mol(exp ?2)/ s at T = 300-2500 K; k(sub 56) = 1.36 10(exp 11) exp(?3420 K/T ) cm(exp 3)/mol/s at T = 970-1150 K. Computer simulations of typical aircraft engine environments, using the reaction mechanism with the above k(sub 31,0) and k(sub 56) expressions, gave the maximum S(IV) to S(VI) conversion yield of ca. 3.5% and 2.5% for the constant density and constant pressure flow condition, respectively. Moreover, maximum conversions occur at rather higher temperatures (?1200 K) than that where the maximum k(sub 31,0) value is located (approximately 800 K). This is because the conversion yield is dependent upon not only the k(sup 31,0) and k(sup 56) values (production flux) but also the availability of H, O, and HO2 in the system (consumption flux).

Hwang, S. M.↗

JACIE Radiometric Assessment of QuickBird Multispectral Imagery

Radiometric calibration of commercial imaging satellite products is required to ensure that science and application communities can place confidence in the imagery they use and can fully understand its properties. Inaccurate radiometric calibrations can lead to erroneous decisions and invalid conclusions and can limit intercomparisons with other systems. To address this calibration need, the NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) Earth Science Applications (ESA) directorate,through the Joint Agency for Commercial Imagery Evaluation (JACIE) framework, established a commercial imaging satellite radiometric calibration team consisting of two groups: 1) NASA SSC ESA, supported by South Dakota State University, and 2) the University of Arizona Remote Sensing Group. The two groups determined the absolute radiometric calibration coefficients of the Digital Globe 4-band, 2.4-m QuickBird multispectral product covering the visible through near-infrared spectral region. For a 2-year period beginning in 2002, both groups employed some variant of a reflectance-based vicarious calibration approach, which required ground-based measurements coincident with QuickBird image acquisitions and radiative transfer calculations. The groups chose several study sites throughout the United States that covered nearly the entire dynamic range of the QuickBird sensor. QuickBird at-sensor radiance values were compared with those estimated by the two independent groups to determine the QuickBird sensor's radiometric accuracy. Approximately 20 at-sensor radiance estimates were vicariously determined each year. The estimates were combined to provide a high-precision radiometric gain calibration coefficient. The results of this evaluation provide the user community with an independent assessment of the QuickBird sensor's absolute calibration and stability over the 2-year period. While the techniques and method described reflect those developed at the NASA SSC, the results of both JACIE team groups are included in this paper.

Pagnutti, Mary↗

On the use of a finite difference method for solving anisotropic scattering problems

A new method of solving the radiative transfer equation is developed in which the scattering and absorption coefficients may have arbitrary variations with depth, and in which both internal (thermal) emission and incident radiation are allowed. Specular and diffuse reflection at both boundaries also is taken into account. The method begins by forming a paired set of coupled first-order differential equations for the symmetric and antisymmetric parts of the radiation field after writing the scattering integral as a numerical quadrature. These differential equations are broken into finite difference form, in which the symmetric and antisymmetric parts of the radiation field are found on alternate grid points. Numerical results for a number of test problems are shown, demonstrating that the method is very fast, that it returns specific intensities and fluxes that are accurate to at least a percent, and that it can be applied to optically thick problems.

Barkstrom, B. R.↗

Dihedral corner reflector backscatter using higher order reflections and diffractions

The uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) plus an imposed edge diffraction extension is used to predict the backscatter cross sections of dihedral corner reflectors which have right, obtuse, and acute included angles. The UTD allows individual backscattering mechanisms of the dihedral corner reflectors to be identified and provides good agreement with experimental cross-section measurements in the azimuthal plane. Multiply reflected and diffracted fields of up to third-order are included in the analysis for both horizontal and vertical polarizations. The coefficients of the uniform theory of diffraction revert to those of the geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) in far-field cross-section analyses, but finite cross sections can be obtained everywhere by considering mutual cancellation of diffractions from parallel edges. Analytic calculations are performed using UTD coefficients; hence the accuracy required in angular measurements is more critical as the distance increases. The common far-field approximation that all rays to the observation point are parallel is too gross an approxiation for the angular parameters in the UTD coefficients in the far field.

Griesser, Timothy↗

Contact solution algorithms

Two algorithms for obtaining static contact solutions are described in this presentation. Although they were derived for contact problems involving specific structures (a tire and a solid rubber cylinder), they are sufficiently general to be applied to other shell-of-revolution and solid-body contact problems. The shell-of-revolution contact algorithm is a method of obtaining a point load influence coefficient matrix for the portion of shell surface that is expected to carry a contact load. If the shell is sufficiently linear with respect to contact loading, a single influence coefficient matrix can be used to obtain a good approximation of the contact pressure distribution. Otherwise, the matrix will be updated to reflect nonlinear load-deflection behavior. The solid-body contact algorithm utilizes a Lagrange multiplier to include the contact constraint in a potential energy functional. The solution is found by applying the principle of minimum potential energy. The Lagrange multiplier is identified as the contact load resultant for a specific deflection. At present, only frictionless contact solutions have been obtained with these algorithms. A sliding tread element has been developed to calculate friction shear force in the contact region of the rolling shell-of-revolution tire model.

Tielking, John T.↗

Goniospectrometric properties of a white standard

Reflection spectroscopy is one of the fundamental tools in planetary remote sensing. Most of the laboratory work is done in terms of bidirectional reflectance R in the wavelength range of reflected sunlight (250 nm - 2500 nm). Bidirectional reflectance R is defined as the radiance of a surface relative to the radiance of an ideal Lambertian reflector, identically illuminated (radiance coefficient). For quantitative laboratory work the absolute scale of R has to be known. In addition, for many purposes it is necessary to know the dependence of R from phase angle for a large range of geometries. In many cases, this can only be achieved if the goniospectrometric properties of the white standard that is used are known with high precision. For a long time Halon has been used as a white standard by most laboratories. Because Halon is no more available we have now analyzed the goniospectrometric properties of Spectralon SRS-99 with the DLR-goniospectrometer.

Oehler, A.↗

MODIS Collection 6 MAIAC Algorithm

This paper describes the latest version of the algorithm MAIAC (Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction) used for processing the MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) Collection6 data record. Since initial publication in 2011-2012, MAIAC has changed considerably to adapt to global processing and improve cloud/snow detection, aerosol retrievals and atmospheric correction of MODIS data. The main changes include (1) transition from a 25 to 1 km scale for retrieval of the spectral regression coefficient (SRC) which helped to remove occasional blockiness at 25 km scale in the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and in the surface reflectance, (2) continuous improvements of cloud detection, (3) introduction of smoke and dust tests to discriminate absorbing fine- and coarse mode aerosols, (4) adding over-water processing, (5) general optimization of the LUT (LookUp-Table)-based radiative transfer for the global processing, and others. MAIAC provides an interdisciplinary suite of atmospheric and land products, including cloud mask (CM), column water vapor (CWV), AOD at 0.47 and 0.55 m, aerosol type (background, smoke or dust) and fine-mode fraction over water; spectral bidirectional reflectance factors (BRF), parameters of Ross-thick Lisparse (RTLS) bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) model and instantaneous albedo. For snow-covered surfaces, we provide subpixel snow fraction and snow grain size. All products come in standard HDF4 (software library) format at 1 km resolution, except for BRF, which is also provided at 500 m resolution on a sinusoidal grid adopted by the MODIS Land team. All products are provided on per-observation basis in daily files except for the BRDF/Albedo product, which is reported every 8 days. Because MAIAC uses a time series approach, BRDF/Albedo is naturally gap-filled over land where missing values are filled-in with results from the previous retrieval. While the BRDF model is reported for MODIS Land bands 1-7 and ocean band 8, BRF is reported for both land and ocean bands 1-12. This paper focuses on MAIAC cloud detection, aerosol retrievals and atmospheric correction and describes MCD19 data products and quality assurance (QA) flags.

MAIAC Algorithm↗

NASA IKONOS Multispectral Radiometric Calibration and 3-Year Temporal Stability Assessment

Radiometric calibration of commercial imaging satellite products is required to ensure that science and application communities can place confidence in the imagery they use and can fully understand its properties. Inaccurate radiometric calibrations can lead to erroneous decisions and invalid conclusions and can limit intercomparisons with other system. In addition, the user community has little or no insight into the design and operation of commercial sensors or into the methods involved in generating commercial products. To address this calibration need, the NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) Earth Science Applications (ESA) Directorate established a commercial satellite imaging radiometric calibration team consisting of three independent groups: NASA, SSC,ESA, the University of Arizona Remote Sensing Group, and South Dacota State University. Each group determined the absolute radiometric calibration coefficients of the Space Imaging IKONOS 4-band, 4 m multispectral product covering the visible through near-infrared spectral region. For a three year period beginning in 2000, each team employed some variant of a reflectance-based vicarious calibration approach, requiring ground-based measurements coincident with IKONOS image acquisitions and radiative transfer calculations. Several study sites throughout the United States were employed that covered nearly the entire dynamic range of the IKONOS sensor. IKONOS at-sensor radiance values were compared to those estimated by each independent group to determine the IKONOS sensor's radiometric accuracy and stability. Over 10 individual vicariously determined at-sensor radiance estimates were used each year. When combined, these estimates provided a high-precision radiometric gain calibration coefficient. No significant calibration offset was observed. The results of this evaluation provide the scientific community with an independent assessment of the IKONOS sensor's absolute calibration and temporal stability over the 3-year period. While the techniques and method described in this paper reflect those developed at the NASA SSC, the results of the entire team are included.

Pagnutti, Mary↗

Dual frequency scatterometer measurement of ocean wave height

A technique for remotely measuring wave height averaged over an area of the sea surface was developed and verified with a series of aircraft flight experiments. The measurement concept involves the cross correlation of the amplitude fluctuations of two monochromatic reflected signals with variable frequency separation. The signal reflected by the randomly distributed specular points on the surface is observed in the backscatter direction at nadir incidence angle. The measured correlation coefficient is equal to the square of the magnitude of the characteristic function of the specular point height from which RMS wave height can be determined. The flight scatterometer operates at 13.9 GHz and 13.9 - delta f GHz with a maximum delta f of 40 MHz. Measurements were conducted for low and moderate sea states at altitudes of 2, 5, and 10 thousand feet. The experimental results agree with the predicted decorrelation with frequency separation and with off-nadir incidence angle.

Johnson, J. W.↗