There is a need to calibrate satellite data obtained at large polar (i.e. off-nadir) view angles for effects caused by scanner geometry and by the atmosphere. If such effects are not corrected for, then recorded radiance data will contain systematic and random errors which will make accurate target identification and quantification difficult. Adequate calibration of digital radiance data requires both an inductive analysis of digital satellite images and a deductive analysis based upon a priori simulation studies. The inputs to a simulation model (ground reflectance, atmospheric transmission and bandscatter) and their variability are dependent upon (for example) sun-target-sensor geometry. There is a major need to make accurate ground reflectance measurements to provide calibration information on the anisotropy of ground reflectance. There is also a need to assess atmospheric transmission and backscatter from the image itself. A potential simple, inexpensive method for making ground reflectance measurements in the above context is discussed.

Date Published: 23 June 1983
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 0356, Field Measurement and Calibration Using Electro-Optical Equipment, (23 June 1983); doi: 10.1117/12.934044

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 0356:
Field Measurement and Calibration Using Electro-Optical Equipment
Frederic M. Zweibaum; Henry Register, Editor(s)