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At least 1,261 records · Page 70

Remote Sensing of Daytime Water Leaving Reflectances of Oceans and Large Inland Lakes from EPIC onboard the DSCOVR Spacecraft at Lagrange-1 Point

The NASA’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) on board the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite has been making multiple observations of the entire sunlit Earth in a given day from the Sun-Earth Lagrangian L1 point since the summer of 2015. EPIC contains 10 narrow channels in the 317–780 nm solar spectral range. The data acquired with EPIC have already been used in a variety of scientific investigations, including the study of the global ozone levels, aerosol index and aerosol optical depth, UV reflectivity of clouds over land and ocean, cloud height over land and ocean, and vegetation indices. In this article, we report that EPIC data, particularly for the data measured with narrow channels centered near 443, 551, and 680 nm, can also have important applications in remote sensing of ocean color in different geographical regions. We have modified a version of a multi-channel atmospheric correction algorithm for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro Radiometer (MODIS) ocean color applications and adapted the algorithm for processing EPIC data. We present three case studies on water leaving reflectance retrievals from EPIC data acquired over a large turbid river, inland lakes, and oceans. We conclude that a future ocean color instrument on board a satellite at the L1 point, which provides continuous view of the full sunlit disk of the Earth, will complement and extend ocean color observations with the low Earth observing polar orbital and geostationary satellite instruments in both the spatial and time domains.

remote sensing↗

QWIP: A Quantitative Metric for Quality Control of Aquatic Reflectance Spectral Shape using the Apparent Visible Wavelength

The colors of the ocean and inland waters span clear blue to turbid brown, and the corresponding spectral shapes of the waterleaving signal are diverse depending on the various types and concentrations of phytoplankton, sediment, detritus and colored dissolved organic matter. Here we present a simple metric developed from a global dataset spanning blue, green and brown water types to assess the quality of a measured or derived aquatic spectrum. The Quality Water Index Polynomial (QWIP) is founded on the Apparent Visible Wavelength (AVW), a one-dimensional geophysical metric of color that is inherently correlated to spectral shape calculated as a weighted harmonic mean across visible wavelengths. The QWIP represents a polynomial relationship between the hyperspectral AVW and a Normalized Difference Index (NDI) using red and green wavelengths. The QWIP score represents the difference between a spectrum’s AVW and NDI and the QWIP polynomial. The approach is tested extensively with both raw and quality controlled field data to identify spectra that fall outside the general trends observed in aquatic optics. For example, QWIP scores less than or greater than 0.2 would fail an initial screening and be subject to additional quality control. Common outliers tend to have spectral features related to: 1) incorrect removal of surface reflected skylight or 2) optically shallow water. The approach was applied to hyperspectral imagery from the Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO), as well as to multispectral imagery from the Visual Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) using sensor-specific extrapolations to approximate AVW. This simple approach can be rapidly implemented in ocean color processing chains to provide a level of uncertainty about a measured or retrieved spectrum and flag questionable or unusual spectra for further analysis.

remote sensing reflectance↗

PACE UV-VIS Polarimetric Remote Sensing of Atmosphere-Ocean Systems: Sensitivity to Variations in Brown Carbon

The NASA Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission, scheduled for launch in 2024, will carry two instruments that measure ultraviolet (UV) radiance emerging from the top of the atmosphere: the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) and the Spectro-Polarimeter for Planetary Exploration (SPEXone) instrument. OCI will provide single-view, hyperspectral radiometric data, whereas SPEXone will provide multi-angle, multispectral polarimetric data. Together, these instruments will be the most advanced in NASA’s history for the combined observation of ocean color and atmospheric aerosols in the UV, and they will therefore provide unprecedented research opportunities for the ocean color and atmospheric aerosol communities. In particular, UV observations are best suited to retrieve properties of Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) in the ocean, and of Brown Carbon (BrC) aerosols in the atmosphere. However, both CDOM and BrC exhibit very similar absorption spectra in the UV and the visible (VIS) spectrum; hence, care must be taken in accurately modeling these spectra for analyses of OCI and SPEXone measurements. In this presentation, we summarize a simple but highly accurate three-parameter model for complex refractive index spectra of BrC in the UV and VIS. We apply this model to simulations of PACE-like total and polarized multiangle radiance in the UV, and demonstrate that the impact of BrC and CDOM variations can be similar in total radiance, but is easy to distinguish in polarized radiance.

PACE↗

Remote sensing of changes in morphology and physiology of trees under stress

Measurements on foliage samples collected from several drought and salt treated plants revealed that leaf thickness decreased with increasing severity of the drought treatment and increased with increasing severity of treatment with NaCl, but remained essentially unaffected by treatment with CaCl2. Airborne data collected by multispectral scanner indicated that false color images provide selective enhancement of a diseased area. Comparison of simulated and actual aerial color and color IR photography revealed that the color renditions of the MSS simulations agreed closely with those of the actual photography.

Olson, C. E., Jr.↗

Polymer formation in a simulated Jovian atmosphere.

Experimental investigation in which an attempt was made to fractionate the polymeric substances in a simulated Jovian atmosphere according to molecular weight, and to characterize them. It is pointed out that the substance obtained by discharge in methane and ammonia has often been assumed to be the substance responsible for the red color of Jupiter. The deposit formed on the reaction vessel really looks reddish. When the substance was fractionated according to the molecular weight, the color was darker the larger the molecular weight. However, the spectrum of the color was, whether by absorption or by the combination of scattering and fluorescence, indistinguishable regardless of the molecular weight of the fraction. In addition, the apparent color changes when the concentration varies. It would not be simple to identify the red substance in Jupiter.

Noda, H.↗

Theoretical colours for F and G dwarf stars.

Synthetic spectra have been computed for F and G dwarf stars, using a number of values of chemical abundance, Doppler broadening velocity, and damping constant. Metal abundances for a number of such stars have been obtained using computed and observed m(sub 1) and 40-52 colors. These abundances are in good agreement with spectroscopically determined ones. The c(sub 1) colors of such stars with exactly known trigonometric parallaxes have been used in order to determine how accurately absolute magnitudes can be predicted from the colors. Generally reasonable agreement can be obtained between observed and predicted absolute magnitudes for certain of these stars. The effects of interstellar reddening on the colors of the models are examined.

Bell, R. A.↗

Identification, definition and mapping of terrestrial ecosystems in interior Alaska

The author has identified the following significant results. A reconstituted color infrared image covering the western Seward Peninsula was used for identifying vegetation types by simple visual examination. The image was taken by ERTS-1 approximately 1120 hours on August 1, 1972. Seven major colors were identified. Four of these were matched with four units on existing vegetation maps: bright red - shrub thicket; light gray-red - upland tundra; medium gray-red - coastal wet tundra; gray - alpine barrens. In the bright red color, two phases, violet and orange, were recognized and tentatively ascribed to differences in species composition in the shrub thicket type. The three colors which had no map unit equivalents were interpreted as follows: pink - grassland tundra; dark gray-red - burn scars; light orange-red - senescent vegetation. It was concluded that the image provides a considerable amount of information regarding the distribution of vegetation types, even at so simple a leval of analysis. It was also concluded that sequential imagery of this type could provide useful information on vegetation fires and phenologic events.

Anderson, J. H.↗

Land use mapping and modelling for the Phoenix Quadrangle

The author has identified the following significant results. Comparison of 9 x 9 MSS band images and color composites made from bands 4, 5, and 6 showing vegetated areas near Phoenix during the summer and fall seasons aided in definitely establishing that certain land areas were being used as agricultural land and not as rangeland. Agricultural land, which appeared to be fallow, idle, or not irrigated, often became more readily identifiable as agricultural land when comparing different images of identical land areas which have been affected by seasonal vegetation changes. Experimentation with color density slicing portions of 9 x 9 MSS band 7 transparency showing the central urban core of phoenix enabled dense commercial and industrial areas to be separated from less dense urbanized land uses; however, loss of resolution produced results of limited usefulness. The best results in agricultural areas near Sun City were obtained using MSS band 5 imagery. Discrimination of different land uses in both urban and agricultural areas which were color density sliced was not possible to the degree of accuracy necessary to make mapping feasible. Examination of MSS transparencies and color composites allowed updating of a map of land use change in the Phoenix Quadrangle.

Place, J. L.↗

Application of remote sensing techniques to the geology of the bonanza volcanic center

A program is reported for evaluating remote sensing as an aid to geologic mapping for the past four years. Data tested in this evaluation include color and color infrared photography, multiband photography, low sun-angle photography, thermal infrared scanner imagery, and side-looking airborne radar. The relative utility of color and color infrared photography was tested as it was used to refine geologic maps in previously mapped areas, as field photos while mapping in the field, and in making photogeologic maps prior to field mapping. The latter technique served as a test of the maximum utility of the photography. In this application the photography was used successfully to locate 75% of all faults in a portion of the geologically complex Bonanza volcanic center and to map and correctly identify 93% of all Quaternary deposits and 62% of all areas of Tertiary volcanic outcrop in the area.

Marrs, R. W.↗

Asteroid spectral reflectivities.

We measured spectral reflectivities (0.3-1.1 micron) for 32 asteroids. There are at least 14 different curve types. Common types are: (a) reddish curves with 10% absorptions near 0.95 micron or beyond 1.0 micron, due to Fe(2+) in minerals such as pyroxenes; (b) flat curves in the visible and near-IR with sharp decreases in the UV and (c) flat curves even into the UV. Several asteroids show probable color variations with rotation, especially 6 Hebe. A sample of 102 asteroids with reliably known colors is derived from the reflectivities and from earlier colorimetry. Several correlations of colors and spectral curve types with orbital and physical parameters are examined: (1) asteroids with large aphelia have flat reflectivities while those with small perihelia are mostly reddish, (2) curve types show evidence for clustering on an a vs e plot, with 0.95 micron bands occuring mainly for Mars-approaching asteroids, (3) no strong correlation exists between color and either proper eccentricity or proper inclination.

Chapman, C. R.↗

A reconnaissance space sensing investigation of crustal structure for a strip from the eastern Sierra Nevada to the Colorado Plateau

The author has identified the following significant results. An operational technique for producing high resolution false color composites of ERTS-1 MSS imagery has been developed. The technique uses standard NASA (NDPF) or EROS black/white data products, and permits a broad range of control on composite color balance and contrast range. The use of an additive color viewer has proven valuable for determining the optimum color balance of composites for effective interpretation. The compositing technique is adaptable for effective interpretation. The technique is adaptable to data from a variety of multispectral imaging systems, including multi-seasonal and multipolarization data. A 50 mile north-trending linear anomaly recognized in ERTS-1 MSS imagery west of Goldfield, Nevada has been confirmed as a steeply west-dipping normal fault, here termed the Paymaster Fault. This structure trends southward from the General Thomas Hills along Paymaster Valley and the east side of Clayton Valley into the Palmetto Mountains. There, it terminates against a less pronounced east-trending transverse anomaly which is also believed to be fault controlled. The Paymaster Fault is the most prominent of several large normal faults which terminate southward against this transverse anomaly.

Liggett, M. A.↗

Management of natural resources through automatic cartographic inventory

The author has identified the following significant results. (1) Accurate recognition of previously known ground features from ERTS-1 imagery has been confirmed and a probable detection range for the major signatures can be given. (2) Unidentified elements, however, must be decoded by means of the equal densitometric value zone method. (3) Determination of these zonings involves an analogical treatment of images using the color equidensity methods (pseudo-color), color composites and especially temporal color composite (repetitive superposition). (4) After this analogical preparation, the digital equidensities can be processed by computer in the four MSS bands, according to a series of transfer operations from imagery and automatic cartography.

Rey, P.↗

The use of ERTS-1 images in the search for large sulfide deposits in the Chagai District, Pakistan

The author has identified the following significant results. Visual examination of color composites was tested under relatively ideal conditions for direct detection of large hydrothermal sulfide deposits at the low-grade porphyry copper deposit at Saindak, western Chagai District, Pakistan. The Saindak deposit is characterized by an elongate zone of easily eroded sulfide-rich rock surrounded by a resistant rim of hornfels and propylitically altered rock. The geomorphic features related to the Saindak deposit are easily distinguished on ERTS-1 images. Attempts to detect a color anomaly using false-color composites were not successful. About 36,000 square km of the western Chagai District were examined on false-color composites for direct evidence of large sulfide deposits. New geologic information acquired from the images was used in conjunction with the known geology to evaluate two previously known proposed areas and to suggest seven additional targets for field checking, one of which is proposed on the basis of tonal anomaly alone. The study also showed that Saindak-type deposits are not likely to be present in some extensive areas of the Chagai District; and also that a rim like that at Saindak does not form if regional metamorphism has increased the resistance of the country rock to erosion.

Schmidt, R. G.↗

Ultraviolet photometry from the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory. VIII

A comprehensive ultraviolet photometric survey of the blue Ap stars was conducted in order to determine whether the close similarity, deduced from ground observations, between the blue Ap stars and normal B stars with similar UBV colors is maintained at wavelengths shortward of 3000 A. Data are presented for 24 Ap stars and 31 normal comparison standard dwarfs and giants observed by the Wisconsin Experiment Package on OAO 2. Both normal and peculiar stars were chosen, with a few exceptions, for their minimal interstellar reddening and for the absence of known bright companions. The similarity between blue Ap stars and normal B stars of similar UBV colors is not maintained in the ultraviolet. The blue Ap stars emit less ultraviolet flux than normal stars of like UBV colors. They are underluminous and cool in effective temperature for their colors.

Leckrone, D. S.↗

Are 2-micron absorptions and 11-micron emissions of M stars related

Three properties of M stars are compared: (1) /3.5/ - /11/ colors, (2) two measures of 2.3-micron band absorption, and (3) two measures of 1.9-micron band absorption. We find that the 2.3-micron bands of 21 M giants and supergiants correlate with /3.5/ - /11/ colors at better than 99 per cent confidence. A comparable relation exists between the mean 1.9-micron bands and /3.5/ - /11/ colors of 23 M giants and Miras. The sum of the 1.9-micron + 2.3-micron band intensities correlates with /3.5/ - /11/ color at better than the 99.8 per cent level for 31 M stars. These relations are consistent with both CO and H2O cooling of M star boundaries. Binaries and Ia supergiants appear to depart from these relations.

Fay, T. D., Jr.↗

Evaluation of film type QX 807 (SO-368, Kodak Ektachrome MS, Estar thin base, with an equivalent Wratten 2A filter overcoat)

A color film with a sensitivity and color balance equal to SO-368, Kodak MS Ektachrome (Estar thin base) was required for use on the Apollo-Soyuz test project (ASTP). A Wratten 2A filter was required for use with the film to reduce short wavelength effects which frequently produce a blue color balance in aerial photographs. The background regarding a special emulsion which was produced with a 2A filter equivalent as an integral part of an SO-368 film manufactured by Eastman Kodak, the cost for production of the special film, and the results of a series of tests made within PTD to certify the film for ASTP use are documented. The tests conducted and documented were physical inspection, process compatibility, effective sensitivity, color balance, cross section analysis, resolution, spectral sensitivity, consistency of results, and picture sample analysis.

Lockwood, H. E.↗

Radiometric diameters and albedos of 40 asteroids

The radiometric method of measuring the albedos and sizes of small airless objects was applied to forty asteroids. The largest asteroids were revealed to be 1 Ceres, 2 Pallas, 4 Vesta, 10 Hygiea, and 511 Davida. The highest albedo belonged to 4 Vesta. The darkest asteroids were 19 Fortuna, 324 Bamberga, and 747 Winchester. A comparison of the derived diameters and albedos with photometrically measured colors reveals three distinct classes of objects. The largest group is those with red color and albedos in the lunar range. The second group, which includes most of the largest objects, is characterized by more neutral color and lower albedo. The third class has one member, 4 Vesta, an object of high albedo and intermediate color. Objects in the first group have surfaces composed presumably of silicate minerals. The second and third groups may be similar in composition to the carbonaceous chondrites and the basaltic achondrite meteorites, respectively.

Morrison, D.↗

Photointerpretation of Skylab photography

The author has identified the following significant results. In terms of film grain texture and object definition, the S190B color positive film is distinctly superior to the S190A films, when both are compared in the 9 x 9 inch format. Within the six S190A films, the panchromatic black and white films are superior to the infrared black and white, and the color positive film is superior to the color infrared. Minimum relief differences on the order of 500 to 100 feet could be detected by stereoscopic study, however, it is not possible to determine to what extent vegetation and cultural practices assist in such delineations. Water and wind gaps through major ridges were easily seen. Streams of third order and larger were clearly visible and easy to trace; second order streams were not identified with consistency. Differences in color, tone, and textural patterns rarely supplied clues for differentiating soils or bedrock. The separation of naturally forested areas from areas of cultivation and pasture was effective and a valuable clue to the underlying geology. Suburban and industrial developments were clearly differentiated from urban areas and surrounding agricultural fields. Soil associations could be identified on a regional basis, but no sharp boundary could be drawn separating soil associations.

Mcmurtry, G. J.↗