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At least 181 records · Page 10

Mapping of the Ronda peridotite massif (Spain) from AVIRIS spectro-imaging survey: A first attempt

In both AVIRIS and ISM data, through the use of mixing models, geological boundaries of the Ronda massif are identified with respect to the surrounding rocks. We can also yield first-order vegetation maps. ISM and AVIRIS instruments give consistent results. On the basis of endmember fraction images, it is then possible to discard areas highly vegetated or not belonging to the peridotite massif. Within the remaining part of the mosaic, spectro-mixing analysis reveals spectral variations in the peridotite massif between the well-exposed areas. Spatially organized units are depicted, related to differences in the relative depth of the absorption band at 1 micron, and it may be due to a different pyroxene content. At this stage, it is worth noting that, although mineralogical variations observed in the rocks are at a sub-pixel scale for the airborne analysis, we see an emerging spatial pattern in the distribution of spectral variations across the massif which might be prevailingly related to mineralogy. Although it is known from fieldwork that the Ronda peridotite massif exhibits mineralogical variations at local scale in the content of pyroxene, and at regional scale in different mineral facies, ranging from garnet-, to spinel- to plagioclase-lherzolites, no attempt has been done yet to produce a synoptic map relating the two scales of analysis. The present work is a first attempt to reach this objective, though a lot more work is still required. In particular, for the purpose of mineralogical interpretation, it is critical to relate the airborne observation to field work and laboratory spectra of Ronda rocks already obtained, with the use of image endmembers and associated reference endmembers. Also, the pretty rough linear mixing model used here is taken as a 'black-box' process which does not necessarily apply correctly to the physical situation at the sub-pixel level. One may think of using the ground-truth observations bearing on the sub-pixel statistical characteristics (texture, structural pattern, surface distribution and vegetation contribution (grass,..)) to produce a more advanced mixing model, physically appropriate to the geologic and environmental contexts.

Pinet, P. C.↗

Using AVIRIS for in-flight calibration of the spectral shifts of SPOT-HRV and of AVHRR?

The response of a satellite sensor varies during its lifetime; internal calibration devices can be used to follow the sensor degradation or in-flight calibrations are conducted from estimates of the radiance at satellite level for well predictable situations. Changes in gain are evaluated assuming that the spectral response of the sensor is stable with time; i.e., that the filter response as well as the optics or the electronics are not modified since the prelaunch determinations. Nevertheless, there is some evidence that the SPOT interferometer filters are affected by outgassing effects during the launch. Tests in vacuum chambers indicated a narrowing of the filters with a shift of the upper side towards the blue of about 10 nm which is more over consistant with the loss of gain observed during the launch. Also, during the lifetime of SPOT, the relationship between the loss of sensitivity and the filter bandwidth may correspond to this effect. On the other hand, the inconsistancy of the NOAA7 calibration between two methods (desert and ocean) having a different spectral sensitivity may indicate a spectral problem with a shift of the central wavelength of -20 nm. The basic idea here is to take advantage of the good spectral definition of AVIRIS to monitor these potential spectral degradations with an experimental opportunity provided by a field campaign held in La Crau (S.E. of France) in June 1991 which associated ground-based measurements and AVIRIS, SPOT2, NOAA-11 overpasses over both the calibration site of La Crau and an agricultural area.

Willart-Soufflet, Veronique↗

Geologic mapping using integrated AIRSAR, AVIRIS, and TIMS data

The multi-sensor aircraft campaign called the 'Geologic Remote Sensing Field Experiment' (GRSFE), conducted during 1989 in the southwestern United States, collected multiple airborne remote sensing data sets and associated field and laboratory measurements. The GRSFE airborne data sets used in this study include the airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR), the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS), and the Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS). Each sensor's unique characteristics were used for this study in a combined analysis scheme for geologic mapping. AIRSAR was used to map structures and landforms, AVIRIS was used to map mineralogy, and TIMS was used to map lithology. Visual data integration using IHS transforms and combined numerical analysis using derived geophysical and geologic parameters with 'multispectral' techniques resulted in improved geologic mapping over that possible using each data set individually.

Kruse, Fred A.↗

Using dark current data to estimate AVIRIS noise covariance and improve spectral analyses

Starting in 1994, all AVIRIS data distributions include a new product useful for quantification and modeling of the noise in the reported radiance data. The 'postcal' file contains approximately 100 lines of dark current data collected at the end of each data acquisition run. In essence this is a regular spectral-image cube, with 614 samples, 100 lines and 224 channels, collected with a closed shutter. Since there is no incident radiance signal, the recorded DN measure only the DC signal level and the noise in the system. Similar dark current measurements, made at the end of each line are used, with a 100 line moving average, to remove the DC signal offset. Therefore, the pixel-by-pixel fluctuations about the mean of this dark current image provide an excellent model for the additive noise that is present in AVIRIS reported radiance data. The 61,400 dark current spectra can be used to calculate the noise levels in each channel and the noise covariance matrix. Both of these noise parameters should be used to improve spectral processing techniques. Some processing techniques, such as spectral curve fitting, will benefit from a robust estimate of the channel-dependent noise levels. Other techniques, such as automated unmixing and classification, will be improved by the stable and scene-independence noise covariance estimate. Future imaging spectrometry systems should have a similar ability to record dark current data, permitting this noise characterization and modeling.

Boardman, Joseph W.↗

Mapping target signatures via partial unmixing of AVIRIS data

A complete spectral unmixing of a complicated AVIRIS scene may not always be possible or even desired. High quality data of spectrally complex areas are very high dimensional and are consequently difficult to fully unravel. Partial unmixing provides a method of solving only that fraction of the data inversion problem that directly relates to the specific goals of the investigation. Many applications of imaging spectrometry can be cast in the form of the following question: 'Are my target signatures present in the scene, and if so, how much of each target material is present in each pixel?' This is a partial unmixing problem. The number of unmixing endmembers is one greater than the number of spectrally defined target materials. The one additional endmember can be thought of as the composite of all the other scene materials, or 'everything else'. Several workers have proposed partial unmixing schemes for imaging spectrometry data, but each has significant limitations for operational application. The low probability detection methods described by Farrand and Harsanyi and the foreground-background method of Smith et al are both examples of such partial unmixing strategies. The new method presented here builds on these innovative analysis concepts, combining their different positive attributes while attempting to circumvent their limitations. This new method partially unmixes AVIRIS data, mapping apparent target abundances, in the presence of an arbitrary and unknown spectrally mixed background. It permits the target materials to be present in abundances that drive significant portions of the scene covariance. Furthermore it does not require a priori knowledge of the background material spectral signatures. The challenge is to find the proper projection of the data that hides the background variance while simultaneously maximizing the variance amongst the targets.

Boardman, Joseph W.↗

New calibration techniques for the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS)

Recent laboratory calibrations of the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) include new methods for the characterization of the geometric, spectral, temporal and radiometric properties of the sensor. New techniques are desired in order to: (1) increase measurement accuracy and precision, (2) minimize measurement time and expense, (3) prototype new field and inflight calibration systems, (4) resolve measurement ambiguities, and (5) add new measurement dimensions. One of the common features of these new methods is the use of the full data collection and processing power of the AVIRIS instrument and data facility. This allows the collection of large amounts of calibration data in a short period of time and is well suited to modular data analysis routines.

Chrien, Thomas G.↗

Remote sensing of smoke, clouds, and radiation using AVIRIS during SCAR experiments

During the past two years, researchers from several institutes joined together to take part in two SCAR experiments. The SCAR-A (Sulfates, Clouds And Radiation - Atlantic) took place in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States in July, 1993. remote sensing data were acquired with the Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS), the MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS), and a RC-10 mapping camera from an ER-2 aircraft at 20 km. In situ measurements of aerosol and cloud microphysical properties were made with a variety of instruments equipped on the University of Washington's C-131A research aircraft. Ground based measurements of aerosol optical depths and particle size distributions were made using a network of sunphotometers. The main purpose of SCAR-A experiment was to study the optical, physical and chemical properties of sulfate aerosols and their interaction with clouds and radiation. Sulfate particles are believed to affect the energy balance of the earth by directly reflecting solar radiation back to space and by increasing the cloud albedo. The SCAR-C (Smoke, Clouds And Radiation - California) took place on the west coast areas during September - October of 1994. Sets of aircraft and ground-based instruments, similar to those used during SCAR-A, were used during SCAR-C. Remote sensing of fires and smoke from AVIRIS and MAS imagers on the ER-2 aircraft was combined with a complete in situ characterization of the aerosol and trace gases from the C-131A aircraft of the University of Washington and the Cesna aircraft from the U.S. Forest Service. The comprehensive data base acquired during SCAR-A and SCAR-C will contribute to a better understanding of the role of clouds and aerosols in global change studies. The data will also be used to develop satellite remote sensing algorithms from MODIS on the Earth Observing System.

Gao, Bo-Cai↗

AVIRIS user's guide

This paper serves as a brief overview of the AVIRIS instrument (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer). The AVIRIS sensor collects data that will be used for quantitative characterization of the Earth's surface and atmosphere from geometrically coherent spectroradiometric measurements. This data can be applied to studies in the fields of oceanography, environmental science, snow hydrology, geology, volcanology, soil and land management, atmospheric and aerosol studies, agriculture, and limnology. Applications under development include the assessment and monitoring of environmental hazards such as toxic waste, oil spills, and land/air/water pollution. Mission planning and flight operations are discussed, and recommendations are given regarding the deployment of ground truth experiments.

Johnson, Howell K.↗

Extraction of ozone and chlorophyll-A distribution from AVIRIS data

The potential of airborne imaging spectrometry for assessing and monitoring natural resources is studied. Therefore, an AVIRIS scene of the NASA's MacEurope 1991 campaign - acquired in Central Switzerland - is used. The test site consists of an urban area, the Lake Zug with its surrounding fields, the Rigi mountain in the center of the test site, and the Lake of Four Cantons. The region is covered by the AVIRIS flight #910705, run 6 and 7 of the NASA ER-2 aircraft resulting in an average nominal pixel size of about 18 m. Simultaneous to the ER-2 overflight spectroradiometric measurements have been taken in various locations. Preselected reference targets were measured in the field with a GER Mark V spectroradiometer, and radiance measurements were taken to the lake using a Li-Cor LI 1800UW specroradiometer below and above the water surface. A comprehensive meteorological data set was obtained by joining the POLLUMET experiment which carried out measurements to investigate the summer smog in Switzerland on the same day. The quality assessment for the actual data set can be found in detail in Meyer et al. A parametric approach calculating the location of the airplane was used to simulate the observation geometry. This parametric preprocessing procedure, which takes care of effects of flight line and attitude variations as well as the pixel-by-pixel topographic corrections is described in Meyer.

Schaepman, M.↗

Preliminary study of Kelso Dunes using AVIRIS, TM, and AIRSAR

Remote sensing of sand dunes helps in the understanding of aeolian process and provides important information about the regional geologic history, environmental change, and desertification. Remotely sensed data combined with field studies are valuable in studying dune morphology, regional aeolian dynamics, and aeolian depositional history. In particular, active and inactive sands of the Kelso Dunes have been studied using landsat TM and AIRSAR. In this report, we describe the use of AVIRIS data to study the Kelso dunes and to compare the AVIRIS information with that from TM and AIRSAR.

Xu, Pung↗

Atmospheric Pre-Corrected Differential Absorption Techniques to Retrieve Columnar Water Vapor: Application to AVIRIS 91/95 Data

Water vapor is one of the main forces for weather development as well as for mesoscale air transport processes. The monitoring of water vapor is therefore an important aim in remote sensing of the atmosphere. Current operational systems for water vapor detection use primarily the emission in the thermal infrared (AVHRR, GOES, ATSR, Meteosat) or in the microwave radiation bands (DMSP). The disadvantage of current satellite systems is either a coarse spatial (horizontal) resolution ranging from one to tens of kilometers or a limited insight into the lower atmosphere. Imaging spectrometry on the other hand measures total column water vapor contents at a high spatial horizontal resolution and has therefore the potential of filling these gaps. The sensors of the AVIRIS instrument are capable of acquiring hyperspectral data in 224 bands located in the visible and near infrared at 10 nm resolution. This data includes the information on constituents of the earth's surface as well as of the atmosphere. The optical measurement of water vapor can be performed using sensor channels located in bands or lines of the absorption spectrum. The AVIRIS sensor has been used to retrieve water vapor and with less accuracy carbon dioxide, oxygen and ozone. To retrieve the water vapor amount, the so called differential absorption technique has been applied. The goal of this technique is to eliminate background factors by taking a ratio between channels within the absorption band and others besides the band. Various ratioing methods on the basis of different channels and calculation techniques were developed. The influence of a trace gas of interest on the radiance at the sensor level is usually simulated by using radiative transfer codes. In this study, the spectral transmittance and radiance are calculated by MODTRAN3 simulations with the new DISORT option. The objective of this work is to test the best performing differential absorption techniques for imaging spectrometry of tropospheric water vapor.

Schlaepfer, Daniel↗

Characterizing Hyperspectral Imagery (AVIRIS) Using Fractal Technique

With the rapid increase in hyperspectral data acquired by various experimental hyperspectral imaging sensors, it is necessary to develop efficient and innovative tools to handle and analyze these data. The objective of this study is to seek effective spatial analytical tools for summarizing the spatial patterns of hyperspectral imaging data. In this paper, we (1) examine how fractal dimension D changes across spectral bands of hyperspectral imaging data and (2) determine the relationships between fractal dimension and image content. It has been documented that fractal dimension changes across spectral bands for the Landsat-TM data and its value [(D)] is largely a function of the complexity of the landscape under study. The newly available hyperspectral imaging data such as that from the Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) which has 224 bands, covers a wider spectral range with a much finer spectral resolution. Our preliminary result shows that fractal dimension values of AVIRIS scenes from the Santa Monica Mountains in California vary between 2.25 and 2.99. However, high fractal dimension values (D > 2.8) are found only from spectral bands with high noise level and bands with good image quality have a fairly stable dimension value (D = 2.5 - 2.6). This suggests that D can also be used as a summary statistics to represent the image quality or content of spectral bands.

Qiu, Hong-Lie↗

Summaries of the Seventh JPL Airborne Earth Science Workshop January 12-16, 1998: AVIRIS Workshop - Volume 1

This publication contains the summaries for the Seventh JPL Airborne Earth Science Workshop, held in Pasadena, California, on January 12-16, 1998. The main workshop is divided into three smaller workshops, and each workshop has a volume as follows: (1) Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) Workshop; (2) Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) Workshop; and (3) Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) Workshop. This Volume 1 publication contains 58 papers taken from the AVIRIS workshop.

Robert O Green↗

Automated Subpixel Snow Parameter Mapping with AVIRIS Data

We describe an automated algorithm (MEMSCAG) for mapping subpixel snow covered area (SCA) and snow grain size with AVIRIS data. The algorithm is based on the multiple endmember approach to spectral mixture analysis in which the spectral endmembers and the number of endmembers can vary on a pixel-by-pixel basis. This approach accounts for surface cover heterogeneity within a scene. The mixture analysis runs on endmembers from a spectral library of snow, vegetation, rock, soil, and lake ice spectra. Snow endmembers of varying grain size were produced with a radiative transfer model. All non-snow endmembers were collected with a portable field spectrometer. Mapping is performed through sequential 2-endmember, 3-endmember, and 4- endmember mixture model runs, each subject to constraints on RMS, residuals, fractions and priority. Grain size is determined by the grain size of the snow endmember used in the optimal mixture model. We apply MEMSCAG to AVIRIS data collected over Mammoth Mountain, CA and the northern site of the BOREAS in Manitoba, Canada. MEMSCAG produces appropriate snow covered area estimates in all regions. A preliminary comparison of grain size estimates from MEMSCAG with field measurements demonstrates high accuracy.

Painter, Thomas H.↗

Diurnal Reflectance Changes in Vegetation Observed with AVIRIS

Among the most important short-term dynamic biological processes are diurnal changes in canopy water relations. Plant regulation of water transport through stomatal openings affects other gaseous transport processes, often dramatically decreasing photosynthetic fixation of carbon dioxide during periods of water stress. Water stress reduces stomatal conductance of water vapor through the leaf surface and alters the diurnal timing of stomatal opening. Under non-water stressed conditions, stomates typically open soon after dawn and transpire water vapor throughout the daylight period. During stress periods, stomates may close for part of the day, generally near mid-day. Under prolonged stress conditions, stomatal closure shifts to earlier times during the day; stomates may close by mid-morning and remain closed until the following morning - or remain closed entirely. Under these conditions the relationship between canopy greenness (e.g., measured with a vegetation index or by spectral mixture analysis) and photosynthetic fixation of carbon is lost and the remotely sensed vegetation metric is a poor predictor of gas exchange. Prediction of stomatal regulation and exchange of water and trace gases is critical for ecosystem and climate models to correctly estimate budgets of these gases and understand or predict other processes like gross and net ecosystem primary production. Plant gas exchange has been extensively studied by physiologists at the leaf and whole plant level and by biometeorologists at somewhat larger scales. While these energy driven processes follow a predictable if somewhat asymmetric diurnal cycle dependent on soil water availability and the constraints imposed by the solar energy budget, they are nonetheless difficult to measure at the tree and stand levels using conventional methods. Ecologists have long been interested in the potential of remote sensing for monitoring physiological changes using multi-temporal images. Much of this research has focused on day-to-day changes in water use, especially for agricultural applications. Ustin et al. showed seasonal changes in canopy water content in chaparral shrub could be estimated using optical methods. Vanderbilt et al. followed asymmetric diurnal changes in the reflectance of a walnut orchard, but could not attribute specific reflectance changes to specific changes in canopy architecture or physiology. Forests and shrub lands in California experience prolonged periods of drought, sometimes extending six months without precipitation. The conifer and evergreen chaparral communities common to the foothill region around the central valley of California retain their foliage throughout the summer and have low transpiration rates despite high net radiation and temperature conditions. In contrast, grasslands and drought resistant deciduous species in the same habitat are seasonally dormant in summer. Because of differences in the mechanisms of drought tolerance, rooting depth and physiology between different plant communities in the region, it is likely that they display differences in diurnal water relations. The presence of diverse plant communities provides an opportunity to investigate possible diurnal landscape patterns in water relations that could be observed by an airborne hyperspectral scanner. This investigation of AVIRIS data collected over forest and shrub land represents the continuation of a prior investigation involving spectral mixture analysis of diurnal effects in the same AVIRIS data set.

Vanderbilt, V. C.↗

AVIRIS Land-Surface Mapping in Support of the Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS)

A key scientific objective of the original Boreal Ecosystem-Atmospheric Study (BOREAS) field campaign (1993-1996) was to obtain the baseline data required for modeling and predicting fluxes of energy, mass, and trace gases in the boreal forest biome. These data sets are necessary to determine the sensitivity of the boreal forest biome to potential climatic changes and potential biophysical feedbacks on climate. A considerable volume of remotely-sensed and supporting field data were acquired by numerous researchers to meet this objective. By design, remote sensing and modeling were considered critical components for scaling efforts, extending point measurements from flux towers and field sites over larger spatial and longer temporal scales. A major focus of the BOREAS follow-on program is concerned with integrating the diverse remotely sensed and ground-based data sets to address specific questions such as carbon dynamics at local to regional scales. The Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) has the potential of contributing to BOREAS through: (1) accurate retrieved apparent surface reflectance; (2) improved landcover classification; and (3) direct assessment of biochemical/biophysical information such as canopy liquid water and chlorophyll concentration through pigment fits. In this paper, we present initial products for major flux tower sites including: (1) surface reflectance of dominant cover types; (2) a land-cover classification developed using spectral mixture analysis (SMA) and Multiple Endmember Spectral Mixture Analysis (MESMA); and (3) liquid water maps. Our goal is to compare these land-cover maps to existing maps and to incorporate AVIRIS image products into models of photosynthetic flux.

Roberts, Dar A.↗

Calibration and Vegetation Field Spectra Collection for the 2000 AVIRIS Hawaii Deployment

As part of the April 2000 Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) Hawaii deployment, two researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara, were sent to Hawaii to collect supporting field data. The primary goal of the fieldwork was to obtain spectra of bright targets to be used for retrieving surface reflectance from AVIRIS imagery. Secondary goals included recording the spectra of dominant vegetation, marking the position of homogeneous land cover for use as potential image endmembers (PIEs), and recording firsthand impressions of cover types. Primary and secondary goals were met. Spectra were recorded for 12 calibration targets on 5 islands and spectra were obtained for 61 vegetation species. Twenty PIEs were located, and video was used to document cover at 56 locations.

Dennison, Philip E.↗

Nutrient Stress Detection in Corn, Using Neural Networks and AVIRIS Hyperspectral Imagery

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Variable Rate (VRAT) Nitrogen Application site in Shelton, Nebraska, represents a well-documented, corn-growing quarter section. The USDA VRAT site is used to systematically study nutrient stress in corn by varying sub-plot application of fertilizer. The field has four replicates of five blocks that vary by nitrogen treatment from 0-kg/ha to 200-kg/ha in 50-kg/ha increments. The treatment blocks are set out in a randomized, complete block design. Typically, the VRAT is planted in a ridge till, monoculture corn and is watered by a central pivot irrigation system on a three-day period. Since water stress can increase spectral reflectance from corn leaves, it is important that the N-application plots be adequately watered so that only nutrient-related stress will predominate. A figure shows imagery of the USDA VRAT site with the fertilizer amounts for each block shown. Low-altitude Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) hyperspectral imagery was acquired over the Shelton, Nebraska, VRAT site on July 22, 1999. The overflight produced 3-meter pixels with 224 spectral bands. Ground personnel supported the mission with measurements at the time of the overflight. The image data was pre-processed at JPL before being sent out to an investigator. The data arrived radiometrically corrected, allowing ready application of an atmospheric correction procedure. The Atmosphere Removal Program (ATREM) was used to perform an atmospheric correction. The AVIRIS imagery after ATREM correction was output as relative reflectance. This relative reflectance file was scaled by an empirical line procedure to provide reflectances that matched closely those measured in the field.

Estep, Lee↗