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At least 1,261 records · Page 70

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NASA NTRS1980

Digital image processing of bone - Problems and potentials

The development of a digital image processing system for bone histomorphometry and fluorescent marker monitoring is discussed. The system in question is capable of making measurements of UV or light microscope features on a video screen with either video or computer-generated images, and comprises a microscope, low-light-level video camera, video digitizer and display terminal, color monitor, and PDP 11/34 computer. Capabilities demonstrated in the analysis of an undecalcified rat tibia include the measurement of perimeter and total bone area, and the generation of microscope images, false color images, digitized images and contoured images for further analysis. Software development will be based on an existing software library, specifically the mini-VICAR system developed at JPL. It is noted that the potentials of the system in terms of speed and reliability far exceed any problems associated with hardware and software development.

Morey, E. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Resolution requirements for a soil moisture imaging radar

Image simulation techniques were employed to establish the relationship between spatial resolution and the accuracy of soil moisture estimated by an imaging radar. A spaceborne synthetic aperture radar at an orbital altitude of 600 km, operating at 4.5 GHz with HH polarization configuration and covering a ground swath width of 143 km corresponding to an angle of incidence range extending between 7-22 degrees relative to the vertical, provided the images simulated by a 17.7 km x 19.3 km test site. The role of resolution was evaluated by simulating various sets of images with resolutions ranging from 20 m x 20 m to 1 km x 1 km. Each simulated image was subjected to a soil moisture prediction algorithm whose input is limited to the image intensity level. Results show that the 1 km x 1 km resolution provides the best prediction accuracy for most soil moisture distributions except for drought-like conditions for which the 100 m x 100 m resolution is found to be preferred. In general it was found that the soil moisture of about 90% of the pixels is predicted with an error of + or - 20% of field capacity or less.

Dobson, C.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Using radar image simulation to assess relative geometric distortions inherent in radar imagery

A unique method for observing the relative contributions of backscatter and propagation effects is afforded by radar image simulation. Digital terrain data are used in modeling radar image formation. Backscatter and propagation effects are modeled separately. These are incorporated serially and the image expression of each is noted. Sequences of images are presented illustrating these effects over a range of slopes and angles of incidence. The conclusions reached are that at angles of incidence that are smaller than the average slope of the terrain in a region, propagation phenomena predominate. As the angle of incidence increases beyond this, the radar image portrays an increasingly faithful representation of the backscatter from the ground. It is also demonstrated that digital simulation affords an important tool for evaluating complex interactions between the ground and radar, for training users in radar image interpretation, and for selecting optimum sensor parameters for particular applications.

Kaupp, V. H.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Drumlin fields and glaciated mountains - A contrast in geomorphic perception from Seasat radar images

Digitally correlated Seasat synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) images of the Alaska Range, Alaska, and the drumlin-drift belt in Ireland are analyzed for the perception and identification of geomorphic features. The two terrains display strongly contrasted types of glacial topography whose identification in each case is related to the geometry of the Seasat imaging radar. Identification of terrain shape and form is important within the caveats imposed by the intrinsic distortions on the radar images. Image texture serves coarsely to distinguish topography. Image tones are scene-dependent and do not uniquely identify specific targets. Extensive alignments of linear and curvilinear features provide some of the more important image information from which to make geologic interpretations in each case.

Ford, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Spaceborne synthetic-aperture imaging radars - Applications, techniques, and technology

In June 1978, the Seasat satellite was placed into orbit around the earth with a synthetic-aperture imaging radar (SAR) as one of the payload sensors. The Seasat SAR provided, for the first time, synoptic radar images of the earth's surface with a resolution of 25 m. In November 1981, the second imaging radar was successfully operated from space on the Shuttle. The Shuttle Imaging Radar-A acquired images over a variety of regions around the world with an imaging geometry different from the one used by the Seasat SAR. The spaceborne SAR principle is discussed, taking into account ambiguities, orbital and environmental factors, range curvature and range walk, surface interaction mechanisms, thermal and speckle noise, key tradeoff parameters, and nonconventional SAR systems. Attention is also given to spaceborne SAR sensors, the digital processing of spaceborne SAR data, the optical processing of spaceborne SAR data, postimage formation processing, data interpretation techniques and applications, and the next decade.

Elachi, C.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Resolution versus speckle relative to geologic interpretability of spaceborne radar images - A survey of user preference

A survey conducted to evaluate user preference for resolution versus speckle relative to the geologic interpretability of spaceborne radar images is discussed. Thirteen different resolution/looks combinations are simulated from Seasat synthetic-aperture radar data of each of three test sites. The SAR images were distributed with questionnaires for analysis to 85 earth scientists. The relative discriminability of geologic targets at each test site for each simulation of resolution and speckle on the images is determined on the basis of a survey of the evaluations. A large majority of the analysts respond that for most targets a two-look image at the highest simulated resolution is best. For a constant data rate, a higher resolution is more important for target discrimination than a higher number of looks. It is noted that sand dunes require more looks than other geologic targets. At all resolutions, multiple-look images are preferred over the corresponding single-look image. In general, the number of multiple looks that is optimal for discriminating geologic targets is inversely related to the simulated resolution.

Ford, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Geological mapping from spaceborne imaging radars Kentucky-Virginia, USA

Radar images (at wavelength 23.5 cm) of a 50-km-wide swath across Kentucky and Virginia obtained with the Shuttle Imaging Radar experiment (SIR-A) in 1981 and with the Seasat SAR in 1978 are compared. Image tone and texture, lineament mapping, drainage mapping, and the effects of illumination geometry and incidence angle are considered, and sample Landsat images are evaluated. The dominant backscatter effect in the SIR-A images is found to facilitate the mapping of steeply sloping terranes and lineaments shorter than the Seasat length resolution limit of about 15 km. It is determined that optimum enhancement of topographic features is obtained when the radar look angle exceeds the surface slope angle by a discrete amount, avoiding layover or relief displacement. A variable-look-angle radar is needed to maintain low incidence angles in regions with widely varying slope angles, as illustrated by the Landsat MSS images.

Ford, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1982

A gallery of HCMM images

A gallery of what might be called the ""Best of HCMM'' imagery is presented. These 100 images, consisting mainly of Day-VIS, Day-IR, and Night-IR scenes plus a few thermal inertia images, were selected from the collection accrued in the Missions Utilization Office (Code 902) at the Goddard Space Flight Center. They were selected because of both their pictorial quality and their information or interest content. Nearly all the images are the computer processed and contrast stretched products routinely produced by the image processing facility at GSFC. Several LANDSAT images, special HCMM images made by HCMM investigators, and maps round out the input.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1983

Remote sensing with spaceborne synthetic aperture imaging radars: A review

A review is given of remote sensing with Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR's). In 1978, a spaceborne SA was flown on the SEASAT satellite. It acquired high resulution images over many regions in North America and the North Pacific. The acquired data clearly demonstrate the capability of spaceborne SARs to: image and track polar ice floes; image ocean surface patterns including swells, internal waves, current boundaries, weather boundaries and vessels; and image land features which are used to acquire information about the surface geology and land cover. In 1981, another SAR was flown on the second shuttle flight. This Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-A) acquired land and ocean images over many areas around the world. The emphasis of the SIR-A experiment was mainly toward geologic mapping. Some of the key results of the SIR-A experiment are given.

Cimino, J. B.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Use of radar image texture in geologic mapping

Large slope angle radar and small slope angle radar techniques are discussed. The techniques are developed to aid in the geologic interpretation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The application presented is for heavy vegetation and where very little other data can be obtained directly from remote sensing images. To understand the relationships between image texture, topography, lithology, geomorphology, and climate improves, textural information from SAR images are used for the identification of rock types to discriminate units. An active program is to integrate textural information from radar images directly with backscatter data from the same images, and with compositional information derived from visible near infrared sensors such as LANDSAT is explored. The role of quantitative textural information in this type of multisensor analysis which promises to be significant is outlined.

Farr, T. G.↗

NASA NTRS1984

High-resolution color images of Io

Color versions of the highest resolution Voyager images of Io were produced by combining the low resolution color images with the high resolution, clear filter images. High resolution versions of the orange, blue, and violet filter images are produced by: orange = high-res clear * low-res orange / low-res clear blue = high-res clear * low-res blue / low-res clear violet = high-res clear * low-res violet / low-res clear. The spectral responses of the high and low resolution clear filter images cancel, leaving the color, while the spatial frequencies of the two low resolution images cancel, leaving the high resolution.

Mcewen, A. S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Photometric Analysis of Jupiter-illuminated Images of Io

Several sequences of the dark (Jupiter-illuminated) side of Io obtained during the Voyager 2 encounter present opporunity for understanding several problems relating to the surface composition of Io. The existence or absence of SO2 condensates on the night side is a sensitive indicator of an SO2 atmosphere. Preliminary analysis of the night side Io images suggests localized brightenings of approximately 25% may exist. Examination of the night side images represents an even more sensitive indicator for pure sulfur. Between 60 and 130 degrees (the minimum nighttime and maximum daytime temperatures, respectively), the relative spectral reflectance for yellow sulfur observed in the Voyager green and clear filters decreases by 25%. This decrease should be detectable on the nightside images. A search of the Voyager 2 Jupiter-illuminated images yielded a single pair of green and clear images. In these images one hemisphere of Io is Sun-illuminated and the other is Jupiter illuminated. Geologically similar regions of Io are being selected to obtain average color ratios of specific geologic units for both day and night sides.

Buratti, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Geomorphic classification of Icelandic and Martian volcanoes: Limitations of comparative planetology research from LANDSAT and Viking orbiter images

Some limitations in using orbital images of planetary surfaces for comparative landform analyses are discussed. The principal orbital images used were LANDSAT MSS images of Earth and nominal Viking Orbiter images of Mars. Both are roughly comparable in having a pixel size which corresponds to about 100 m on the planetary surface. A volcanic landform on either planet must have a horizontal dimension of at least 200 m to be discernible on orbital images. A twofold bias is directly introduced into any comparative analysis of volcanic landforms on Mars versus those in Iceland because of this scale limitation. First, the 200-m cutoff of landforms may delete more types of volcanic landforms on Earth than on Mars or vice versa. Second, volcanic landforms in Iceland, too small to be resolved or orbital images, may be represented by larger counterparts on Mars or vice versa.

Williams, R. S., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1983

The use of multisensor images for Earth Science applications

The use of more than one remote sensing technique is particularly important for Earth Science applications because of the compositional and textural information derivable from the images. The ability to simultaneously analyze images acquired by different sensors requires coregistration of the multisensor image data sets. In order to insure pixel to pixel registration in areas of high relief, images must be rectified to eliminate topographic distortions. Coregistered images can be analyzed using a variety of multidimensional techniques and the acquired knowledge of topographic effects in the images can be used in photogeologic interpretations.

Evans, D.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Proceedings of the Airborne Imaging Spectrometer Data Analysis Workshop

The Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) Data Analysis Workshop was held at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory on April 8 to 10, 1985. It was attended by 92 people who heard reports on 30 investigations currently under way using AIS data that have been collected over the past two years. Written summaries of 27 of the presentations are in these Proceedings. Many of the results presented at the Workshop are preliminary because most investigators have been working with this fundamentally new type of data for only a relatively short time. Nevertheless, several conclusions can be drawn from the Workshop presentations concerning the value of imaging spectrometry to Earth remote sensing. First, work with AIS has shown that direct identification of minerals through high spectral resolution imaging is a reality for a wide range of materials and geological settings. Second, there are strong indications that high spectral resolution remote sensing will enhance the ability to map vegetation species. There are also good indications that imaging spectrometry will be useful for biochemical studies of vegetation. Finally, there are a number of new data analysis techniques under development which should lead to more efficient and complete information extraction from imaging spectrometer data. The results of the Workshop indicate that as experience is gained with this new class of data, and as new analysis methodologies are developed and applied, the value of imaging spectrometry should increase.

Vane, G.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Shuttle radar images for geologic mapping in tropical rainforest

Images of forested low-relief terrain in the Amazon basin of Brazil, obtained with airborne imaging radar in the Radambrasil project, are compared with SIR-A and Landsat MSS band-7 images to evaluate their usefulness in constructing geologic maps. Sample images are shown, and it is found that Radam images are more useful in distinguishing drainage patterns and mapping the region distribution of stream channels due to their relatively low depression angles (less than 25 deg as opposed to 43-37 deg for SIR-A), but that SIR-A images give superior discrimination of alluvial forest, where trees stand in water, due to the higher reflectivity of branches and water at the SIR-A wavelength (23.5 cm as opposed to 3 cm for Radam). Alluvial forest is also identified by Landsat band 7.

Ford, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1986

High-resolution imaging of solar system objects

A very extensive Io sodium imaging program beginning with the first images of the cloud and culminating in comprehensive characterization of the cloud's appearance and behavior as a function of both time and Io's orbital position now forms the basis for a collaborative modeling analysis and a continued observational study with emphasis on understanding how the cloud's behavior is diagnostic of spatial and temporal variations in the physical conditions of the inner Jovian magnetosphere. The sodium cloud was found to have a variety of systematic variations, a pronounced east-west orbital asymmetry, and temporal changes which could be diagnostic of time changes in both Io and its plasma environment. New comet imaging programs initiated at the 3.6-meter Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope draw upon both ultra high time resolution and high spatial resolution imaging capabilities. Seven observing runs between Dec. 1984 and May 1986 were devoted to observing Halley, Giacobini-Zinner, and several other comets. Among these observations were the first images of Halley through IHW filters, and images of Giacobini-Zinner during the ICE encounter which have been directly correlated with ICE magnetic field measurements.

Goldberg, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Spaceborne imaging radar research in the 90's

The imaging radar experiments on SEASAT and on the space shuttle (SIR-A and SIR-B) have led to a wide interest in the use of spaceborne imaging radars in Earth and planetary sciences. The radar sensors provide unique and complimentary information to what is acquired with visible and infrared imagers. This includes subsurface imaging in arid regions, all weather observation of ocean surface dynamic phenomena, structural mapping, soil moisture mapping, stereo imaging and resulting topographic mapping. However, experiments up to now have exploited only a very limited range of the generic capability of radar sensors. With planned sensor developments in the late 80's and early 90's, a quantum jump will be made in our ability to fully exploit the potential of these sensors. These developments include: multiparameter research sensors such as SIR-C and X-SAR, long-term and global monitoring sensors such as ERS-1, JERS-1, EOS, Radarsat, GLORI and the spaceborne sounder, planetary mapping sensors such as the Magellan and Cassini/Titan mappers, topographic three-dimensional imagers such as the scanning radar altimeter and three-dimensional rain mapping. These sensors and their associated research are briefly described.

Elachi, Charles↗