SEARCH · Search NASA
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
A total of 17-1/2 stereopairs of lunar surface rocks and soil was taken on the Apollo 14 mission. The closeup stereopair photographs are presented with a preliminary interpretation for those interested in lunar soil formation, impact phenomena, and soil mechanics.
The author has identified the following significant results. The vegetation map in preparation at the time of the last report was refined and labeled. This map is presented as an indication of the spatial and classificatory detail possible from interpretations of enlarged ERTS-1 color photographs. Using this map, areas covered by the several vegetation types characterized by white spruce were determined by planimetry. A 1:63,360 scale land use map of the Juneau area was drawn. This map incorporates the land use classification system now under development by the U.S. Geological Survey. The ERTS-1 images used in making the Juneau map were used to determine changes in surface area of the terminal zones of advancing and receding glaciers, the Taku, Norris, and Mendenhall. A new 1:63,360 scale land use map of the Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest and vicinity was drawn. Several excellent new sciences of test areas were received from NASA in color-infrared transparency format. These are being used for making photographic prints for analysis and mapping according to procedures outlined in this report.
A comprehensive land use planning process model is being developed in Meade County, South Dakota, using remote sensing technology. The proper role of remote sensing in the land use planning process is being determined by interaction of remote sensing specialists with local land use planners. The data that were collected by remote sensing techniques are as follows: (1) level I land use data interpreted at a scale of 1:250,000 from false color enlargement prints of ERTS-1 color composite transparencies; (2) detailed land use data interpreted at a scale of 1:24,000 from enlargement color prints of high altitude RB-57 photography; and (3) general soils map interpreted at a scale of 1:250,000 from false color enlargement prints of ERTS-1 color composite transparencies. In addition to use of imagery as an interpretation aid, the utility of using photographs as base maps was demonstrated.
Projects for sewage outfall siting for pollution control in the lower Chesapeake Bay wetlands are reported. A dye-buoy/photogrammetry and remote sensing technique was employed to gather circulation data used in outfall siting. This technique is greatly favored over alternate methods because it is inexpensive, produces results quickly, and reveals Lagrangian current paths which are preferred in making siting decisions. Wetlands data were obtained by interpretation of color and color infrared photographic imagery from several altitudes. Historical sequences of photographs are shown that were used to document wetlands changes. Sequential infrared photography of inlet basins was employed to determine tidal prisms, which were input to mathematical models to be used by state agencies in pollution control. A direct and crucial link between remote sensing and management decisions was demonstrated in the various projects.
Experiments conducted in the Atlantic coastal zone indicated that plumes resulting from ocean dumping of acid wastes and sewage sludge have unique spectral characteristics. Remotely sensed wide area synoptic coverage provided information on these pollution features that was not readily available from other sources. Aircraft remotely sensed photographic and multispectral scanner data were interpreted by two methods. First, qualitative analyses in which pollution features were located, mapped, and identified without concurrent sea truth and, second, quantitative analyses in which concurrently collected sea truth was used to calibrate the remotely sensed data and to determine quantitative distributions of one or more parameters in a plume.
Results of a one-year experimental study on the use of aerial color infrared photography in citrus grove management are presented. It is found that the spring season, when trees are in flush (have young leaves), is the best season to photograph visible differences between healthy and diseased trees. It is also shown that the best photography can be obtained with a 12-in. focal length lens. The photographic scale that allowed good photo interpretation with simple inexpensive equipment was 1 in. = 330 ft. The use of a window-overlay transparency method allowed rapid photo interpretation and data recording in computer-compatible forms. Aerial color infrared photography carried out during the spring season revealed a more accurate status of tree condition than visual inspection.
Multiple remote sensing systems were used to assess deforestation in the Guinea Highlands (Fouta Djallon) of West Africa. Sensor systems included: (1) historical (1953) and current (1989) aerial mapping photography; (2) current large-scale, small format (35mm) aerial photography; (3) current aerial video imagery; and (4) historical (1973) and recent (1985) LANDSAT MSS. Photographic and video data were manually interpreted and incorporated in a vector-based geographic information system (GIS). LANDSAT data were digitally classified. General results showed an increase in permanent and shifting agriculture over the past 35 years. This finding is consistent with hypothesized strategies to increase agricultural production through a shortening of the fallow period in areas of shifting cultivation. However, results also show that the total area of both permanent and shifting agriculture had expanded at the expense of natural vegetation and an increase in erosion. Although sequential LANDSAT MSS cannot be used in this region to accurately map land over, the location, direction and magnitude of changes can be detected in relative terms. Historical and current aerial photography can be used to map agricultural land use changes with some accuracy. Video imagery is useful as ancillary data for mapping vegetation. The most prudent approach to mapping deforestation would incorporate a multistage approach based on these sensors.
The present report contains the results thus far obtained and is intended to form the basis of further tests on using the momentum method. The method of testing is presented in detail and the photographs taken during these tests are interpreted.
Issues likely to be of concern to educators called upon to teach courses involving the reduction (interpretation) of remotely sensed data by visual means are considered. Topics covered include: (1) information requirements of those using remotely-sensed data; (2) educational concepts involved in teaching students how to generate the desired information from a visual analysis of the data; (3) principles and techniques specific to the photointerpretation process; (4) concepts involved in the making of photographic measurements, as dictated by the geometry of remote sensing imagery; (5) the nature of the various kinds of mapping, plotting, and photointerpretation equipment; and (6) some special considerations with respect to the convergence of evidence and other principles involved in the interpretation of photographs. A recommended procedure for determining the usefulness of any given type of aerial or space photography in relation to the inventory of natural resources is included.
Apollo 17 metric photographs provide the best available coverage for geologic interpretation of northern Mare Crisium and the northern Crisium basin. One region in particular, between Alhazen Crater and longitude 66 E, had previously been covered very poorly. The Apollo 17 photographs provide excellent monoscopic as well as stereoscopic viewing because of the favorably low sun illuminations (15 deg to 49 deg). These new photographic data allow the geology of the basin, the mare, and other nearby terrains to be reevaluated. This reexamination, together with data from continuing moon-wide photogeologic studies and analyses of returned rocks from Apollo landing sites, has produced a simple evolutionary picture of the region, expressed by fewer map units and explained by fewer basic processes than previously thought necessary.
Visual and photographic observations of the brightness of comets are reviewed including methods and sources of errors. Nuclear magnitude estimates are discussed and interpreted in relation to determination of appropriate exposure times for photographic observations. The importance of brightness ephemarides is emphasized.
A wetland classification study in a typically complex 650 sq km test site in east central Minnesota compared the time, cost and accuracy of manually interpreted 1:24,000 scale color infrared aerial photographs with digital analysis of Landsat data. The comparison was between the same general wetland and non-wetland classes; accuracy of both systems was evaluated with intensive ground verification. For the same general classes, the overall mapping accuracy was 96 percent for the aerial photo interpretation and 71 percent for Landsat double-date classification. Results with maximum likelihood and SECHO classifiers were the same, 71 percent, while mapping accuracy with a layered classifier was only 66 percent. Compared to a general geometric correction and a single-date data set, geographic position and classification accuracy improved when a precision geometric correction and a double-date data set were used. Landsat digital analysis was faster, 24 vs. 90 days, but photointerpretation was more economical at $0.15/hectare (including all costs of procurement, processing and analysis), compared with Landsat costs of $0.35/hectare (not including costs of data procurement, processing prior to delivery to user and related overhead).
Simulation and interpretation of aerial or orbital TV and photographic observations of earth geographic patterns
This experiment obtained imagery of the earth and the moon at a series of wavelength intervals in the near ultraviolet. These photographs were used to aid in the interpretation of the UV appearance of other planets in the solar system, especially mars and venus. The filter and film characteristics are described, as well as the ozone absorption coefficient curve.
The author has identified the following significant results. The objective of this project is to provide a focus for the entire University of Alaska ERTS-1 effort (12 projects covering 10 disciplines and involving 8 research institutes and science departments). Activities have been concentrated on the implementation of the project's three primary functions: (1) coordination and management of the U of A ERTS-1 program, including management of the flow of data and data products; (2) acquisition, installation, test, operation, and maintanence of centralized facilities for processing ERTS-1, aircraft, and ground truth data; and (3) development of photographic and digital techniques for processing and interpreting ERTS-1 and aircraft data. With minor exceptions these three functions are now well-established and working smoothly.
Investigation of an area on the lunar farside has resulted in a geologic map, development of a regional stratigraphic sequence, and interpretation of surface materials. Apollo 15 metric photographs were used in conjunction with photogrammetric techniques to produce a base map to which geologic units were later added. Geologic units were first delineated on the metric photographs and then transferred to the base map. Materials were defined and described from selected Lunar Orbiter and Apollo 15 metric, panoramic, and Hasselblad photographs on the basis of distinctive morphologic characteristics.
The author has identified the following significant results. It was found that the high speed man machine interaction capability is a distinct advantage of the image 100; however, the small size of the digital computer in the system is a definite limitation. The system can be highly useful in an analysis mode in which it complements a large general purpose computer. The image 100 was found to be extremely valuable in the analysis of aircraft MSS data where the spatial resolution begins to approach photographic quality and the analyst can exercise interpretation judgements and readily interact with the machine.
A two phase sampling method and the optimal sampling segment dimensions for the estimation of sugar cane cultivated area were developed. This technique employs visual interpretations of LANDSAT images and panchromatic aerial photographs considered as the ground truth. The estimates, as a mean value of 100 simulated samples, represent 99.3% of the true value with a CV of approximately 1%; the relative efficiency of the two phase design was 157% when compared with a one phase aerial photographs sample.