A cumulus cloud field observed by Landsat Thematic Mapper

Abstract

The development of a spatial coherence scene model which is to be utilized to determine cloud properties from TM data is described. The observed radiances are modeled in terms of ocean and cloud spectra, the cloud fraction, and a geometric factor. Consideration is given to saturation effects and the need to constrain the model. The conjugate gradient algorithm is utilized to fit the model. A one-dimensional simulation was performed in order to evaluate the model; it is observed that the model provides good fit.