Astronomical infrared spectroscopy with a Connes-type interferometer. II - Mars, 2500-3500 per cm
Mars IR spectra with Connes-type interferometer, noting atmospheric absorption and albedo drop due to surface water
Beer, R.↗
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Averaged pulse-shape measurements of radar sea return at near-vertical incidence
Airborne radar sea return averaged pulse shape measurements over various water surfaces, noting clear distinction between specular and scattered reflection components
Levanon, N.↗
A note on the effect of reflected solar radiation on airborne and ground measurements in the thermal infrared
The magnitude of thermal solar radiation reflected from water surfaces is considered. It is shown both theoretically and by field observation that, for instruments with small fields of view, the reflected thermal solar radiation can contribute significantly to the measured energy. Comparison of thermal scanner data taken from aircraft at a 16 deg azimuth angle from the mirror point of the sun over the open ocean with data taken at a 164 deg anzimuth angle from the mirror point of the sun at the same angle from nadir is indicative of a difference of 2.8 K in the equivalent black body radiation temperature. Observations taken from a surface vessel into sunglint 80 deg from nadir are indicative of an equivalent black body radiation temperature that is 34 K warmer than the temperature obtained at a similar nadir angle away from the sunglint.
Whitehead, V. S.↗
Visual direction finding by fishes
The use of visual orientation, in the absence of landmarks, for underwater direction finding exercises by fishes is reviewed. Celestial directional clues observed directly near the water surface or indirectly at an asymptatic depth are suggested as possible orientation aids.
Waterman, T. H.↗
Laboratory investigations related to microwaves
The investigation in a laboratory controlled environment was of the structure of the water surface and the immediate layers above and below the surface. The scope included: (1) the investigation of the capillary waves and their interaction with gravity waves, (2) the formation of whitecaps at different wind speeds and the influence of gravity waves on whitecaps, and (3) the wind-generated spray under different wind and wave conditions.
Shemdin, O. H.↗
Dynamics of plankton populations in upwelling areas
There are no author-identified significant results in this report. Repeated coverage over the test site along the northwest coast of Africa showed that the structure of chlorophyll distribution is much more complicated than expected from continuous recordings. ERTS-1 data showed a very fast change in the chlorophyll distribution and it seems that also the concentration changes quickly. ERTS-1 showed on some frames offshore transportation of dust from the Sahara. All frames from Channel 7 will be arranged as a montage to derive the transportation pattern of dust. This step is important in biological aspects of interpreting ERTS-1 data, because the dissolution kinetics of eolian dust particles may influence significantly the chemistry of the surface water. Since visibility and the biochemistry of the test site off Africa are influenced by the dust transport, dust collection will be included in the ground truth program. Besides chlorophyll and other hydrographical parameters, the dust load in the test area will be measured. The collection plan is discussed along with a description of the high volume air sampler and the Anderson particle sizing head sampler to be used for the dust measurements.
Szekielda, K.↗
Geographic applications of ERTS-A imagery to rural landscape change
There are no author-identified significant results in this report. The study area, centered on Knoxville, Tennessee, encompasses nearly 20,000 square miles. The Knoxville Test Site, an 11 x 21 mile area over the city of Knoxville and the western portion of Knox County, has been chosen for the analysis of landscape change detection associated with urban growth. The second area, the Cumberland Plateau Test Site, exhibits landscape change through forest alterations and landform disturbances associated with strip mining in the area and was so chosen for its sharp contrasts in physical and human phenomena as well as its change dynamics. Accomplishments since reception of ERTS-1 imagery include: (1) basic cataloging and classifying of the data into a filling system; (2) a densitometer analysis; (3) first look analysis; and (4) preparation of results from the project. Examples of all four bands of the MSS have been received and analyses reveal distinctive positive and negative reactions. Band 5 has been found to be best for landscape analysis of contrasts between urban and rural landscapes, and band 7 for topographic features and water surfaces. Preliminary results are summarized.
Rehder, J. B.↗
Overall evaluation of ERTS-1 imagery for cartographic application
The author has identified the following significant results. Significant scientific conclusions are: (1) Bulk RBV's have internal positional accuracy in the order of 70 meters at ground scale while MSS internal accuracy is in the order of 200 to 300 meters. Both have precision processed images with accuracy within 70 meters. (2) Image quality exhibited by detectability and acutance is better than expected and perhaps twice as good as would be achieved by photographic film of the same resolution. (3) Photometric anomalies (shading) have limited RBV multispectral application, but it is believed that these anomalies can be further reduced. (4) The MSS has exceptionally high photometric fidelity but the matching of scenes taken under different conditions of illumination has not been resolved. (5) MSS bands 6 and 7 have enormous potential for surface water mapping including the correlation of shorelines at various water stages. (6) MSS band 7 demonstrates an actual cloud penetration capability beyond what was expected. It also has delineated cultural features better than the other MSS bands under certain conditions.
Colvocoresses, A. P.↗
The use of ERTS imagery in reservoir management and operation
There are no author-identified significant results in this report. Preliminary analysis of ERTS-1 imagery suggests that the configuration and areal coverage of surface waters, as well as other hydrologically related terrain features, may be obtained from ERTS-1 imagery to an extent that would be useful. Computer-oriented pattern recognition techniques are being developed to help automate the identification and analysis of hydrologic features. Considerable man-machine interaction is required while training the computer for these tasks.
Cooper, S.↗
Application of ERTS-1 data to the protection and management of New Jersey's coastal environment
The author has identified the following significant results. This catalogue was prepared as a part of the joint ERTS-1 New Jersey coastal mapping experiment. First look analysis of ERTS-1 images indicates that numerous coastal oceanographic patterns can be mapped on a sequential basis using ERTS-1 images. Analysis of imagery indicates a predominant southwesterly drift of dumped wasted in the surface waters. Initial analysis of imagery indicates that the effects of tidal flushing of New York harbor extend as far south as Long Branch, New Jersey. Analysis of imagery from 3 September, 1972, indicates a wide band of turbid water extending several miles offshore around Barnegat Inlet. First look analysis of imagery from 10 October, 1972, illustrates the increased reflectance of turbid waters within the bays, sounds, and thoroughfares behind the barrier islands in the southern New Jersey shore area. The estuarine waters emanating from both Brigantine and Absecon Inlets are very turbid relative to the waters further offshore and to the north and south. The tidal prism appears to be quite large but the movement of water once outside the inlets is not very rapid. The waters are not moving away from the coastline but rather along the coast.
Yunghans, R. S.↗
Determination of aerosol content in the atmosphere from ERTS-1 data
The author has identified the following significant results. Significant results have been obtained using the digital data from ERTS-1. A linear relationship, as predicted by theory, has been shown to exist between the MSS radiances over water surfaces and the aerosol content of the atmosphere measured with a ground-based Volz sun photometer. The relationship, based on seven data points, appears best for MSS 6. This relationship will enable the atmospheric aerosol content to be monitored on a global basis, once it has been verified with further measurements, and should provide the information with considerable cost-savings over a ground-based photometer network.
Griggs, M.↗
Evaluation of ERTS data for certain oceanographic uses
The author has identified the following significant results. A significant result was reported 13 July on anomalous dark patches observed in certain ERTS-1 images. This sunglint related feature is possible whenever the solar elevation is greater than 55 deg and the surface waters are calm. It is observed in all MSS bands. Although the bright specular point is nearly 300 nm from nadir no bright specular returns are possible with a 0930 local time descending path-only diffuse glitter, that may reach reflectance levels of 1-2% under wind speeds of 5-10 m/sec and solar elevations greater than 60 deg.
Strong, A. E.↗
Preliminary evaluation of ERTS-1 for determining numbers and distribution of prairie ponds and lakes
ERTS-1 and aircraft multispectral data collected over a North Dakota test site during July 1972, are compared to evaluate the capability of the satellite sensors to detect numbers and distribution of prairie ponds and lakes. Recognition maps using ERTS-1, MSS 7 data are generated using a level slicing technique. Surface water areas larger than two acres are recognized, but ponds in the one-to two-acre range are detected only at random. The proportion estimation technique will improve the accuracy of area determination and small pond detection.
Work, E. A., Jr.↗
Study of the marine environment of the northern Gulf of California
The author has identified the following significant results. While occupying standard oceanographic stations in the delta region of the Colorado River, two species of insects were collected which were of special interest. One of these is a single specimen of corixid bug, hitherto familiar to the investigators only as a freshwater insect, but taken swimming actively in high salinity water along with characteristic marine plankton. Further investigation showed that the species taken is well known from saline ponds but this is apparently the first record of its occurrence in a complete marine community. A small note on this collection record was prepared for publication and sent in manuscript form to NASA. The other record is of three specimens of a cicindelid beetle (normally a beach inhabitant) found at a night light for larval fish collection on station in the Colorado delta. The beetles were observed to light on and take off from water surface while actively moving around the night light. There is an interesting question of whether this species (Cicindela sinaloae schrammeli Cazier) may be especially adapted for a predatory life on the surface film, while the other two (larger) species sympatric with it are restricted to hunting on land.
Hendrickson, J. R.↗
Determination of aerosol content in the atmosphere from ERTS-1 data
The author has identified the following significant results. Useful empirical relationships between apparent contrast at the Salton Sea/desert test site and the aerosol content of the atmosphere have been found for MSS 4, 5, and 6. This provides another technique to measure the atmospheric aerosol content, in addition to the method of measuring radiance over water surfaces previously reported. Analysis of desert data has shown, as predicted by theory, that the radiance over high albedo surfaces is insensitive to changes in the aersol content of the atmosphere.
Ludwig, C. B.↗
Arctic and subarctic environmental analyses utilizing ERTS-1 imagery
The author has identified the following significant results. Physiognomic landscape features were used as geologic and vegetative indicators in preparation of a surficial geology, vegetation, and permafrost map at a scale of 1:1 million using ERTS-1 band 7 imagery. The detail from this map compared favorably with USGS maps at 1:250,000 scale. Physical boundaries mapped from ERTS-1 imagery in combination with ground truth obtained from existing small maps and other sources resulted in improved and more detailed maps of permafrost terrain and vegetation for the same area. ERTS-1 imagery provides for the first time, a means of monitoring the following regional estuarine processes: daily and periodic surface water circulation patterns; changes in the relative sediment load of rivers discharging into the inlet; and, several local patterns not recognized before, such as a clockwise back eddy offshore from Clam Gulch and a counterclockwise current north of the Forelands. Comparison of ERTS-1 and Mariner imagery has revealed that the thermokarst depressions found on the Alaskan North Slope and polygonal patterns on the Yukon River Delta are possible analogs to some Martian terrain features.
Anderson, D. M.↗
Evaluation of ERTS data for certain oceanographic uses
The author has identified the following significant results. Upwelling along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan was occurring during the 3 and 21 August 1973 visits by ERTS-1. The NOAA-2 VHRR thermal-IR data are being digitized for comparison. Early indications are that these upwellings induced a calcium carbonate precipitate to form in the surface waters. It is most pronounced in the MSS-4 channel. On the lake bottom this jell-like sediment is known as marl and adds to the eutrophication of the lake. This phenomenon may help to explain the varve-like nature of bottom cores that have been observed in the Great Lakes.
Strong, A. E.↗
Evaluation and comparison of ERTS measurements of major crops and soil associations for selected test sites in the central United States
The author has identified the following significant results. Multispectral scanner data obtained by ERTS-1 over six test sites in the Central United States were analyzed and interpreted. ERTS-1 data for some of the test sites were geometrically corrected and temporally overlayed. Computer-implemented pattern recognition techniques were used in the analysis of all multispectral data. These techniques were used to evaluate ERTS-1 data as a tool for soil survey. Geology maps and land use inventories were prepared by digital analysis of multispectral data. Identification and mapping of crop species and rangelands were achieved throught the analysis of 1972 and 1973 ERTS-1 data. Multiple dates of ERTS-1 data were examined to determine the variation with time of the areal extent of surface water resources on the Southern Great Plain.
Baumgardner, M. F.↗