Publication Abstracts

Brest 1991

Brest, C.L., 1991: Indirect calibration of visible channel data. Glob. Planet. Change, 4, 271-277, doi:10.1016/0921-8181(91)90105-6.

To provide quantitative measurements for Earth studies accurate and comprehensive calibration of satellite radiometers is critically needed. The recent increase in the use of satellite data for climate studies calls for the retrieval of physical parameters from the measured radiances and therefore for absolute calibrations that are known over long time periods. However, even the use of classification or "index" type analyses of satellite data to monitor changes in climate requires that the relative stability of the satellite radiometers be known for long-term data sets. Moreover, plans to collect global satellite data over decadal periods, to monitor changes in surface conditions and in climate, require a calibration standard that can be transferred from one satellite to another in a series.

Although most instruments undergo a thorough calibration prior to their launch on a satellite, there appears to be no predictable relationship between these pre-launch calibrations and the post-launch performance. Thus, comprehensive, well-documented post-launch calibrations are needed. Because the solar channels used for imaging on most operational satellites do not have onboard calibration capabilities, a number of indirect approaches have been developed using the Earths surface as a target.

A variety of earth targets have been used in calibration ranging from a single target (such as White Sands, NM) to multiple targets covering the entire globe. The use of such targets to monitor the relative calibration of satellite instruments over long time periods introduces a number of uncertainties such as diurnal and seasonal changes in the radiation from the target as seen by the satellite. These temporal changes arise from variations in viewing and illumination geometry, changes in the atmosphere, navigation errors, changes in the surface characteristics (such as soil moisture and vegetation), and cloud variations. Relative calibration methods require periodic absolute calibration checks. There is a demonstrated need for routine aircraft calibration flights to validate the various approaches.

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BibTeX Citation

@article{br04100j,
  author={Brest, C. L.},
  title={Indirect calibration of visible channel data},
  year={1991},
  journal={Global and Planetary Change},
  volume={4},
  pages={271--277},
  doi={10.1016/0921-8181(91)90105-6},
}

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RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - br04100j
AU  - Brest, C. L.
PY  - 1991
TI  - Indirect calibration of visible channel data
JA  - Glob. Planet. Change
JO  - Global and Planetary Change
VL  - 4
SP  - 271
EP  - 277
DO  - 10.1016/0921-8181(91)90105-6
ER  -

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