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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.

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At least 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Soil types and forest canopy structures in southern Missouri: A first look with AIS data

Spectral reflectance properties of deciduous oak-hickory forests covering the eastern half of the Rolla Quadrangle were examined using Thematic Mapper (TM) data acquired in August and December, 1982 and Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data acquired in August, 1985. For the TM data distinctly high relative reflectance values (greater than 0.3) in the near infrared (Band 4, 0.73 to 0.94 micrometers) correspond to regions characterized by xeric (dry) forests that overlie soils with low water retention capacities. These soils are derived primarily from rhyolites. More mesic forests characterized by lower TM band 4 relative reflectances are associated with soils of higher retention capacities derived predominately from non-cherty carbonates. The major factors affecting canopy reflectance appear to be the leaf area index (LAI) and leaf optical properties. The Suits canopy reflectance model predicts the relative reflectance values for the xeric canopies. The mesic canopy reflectance is less well matched and incorporation of canopy shadowing caused by the irregular nature of the mesic canopy may be necessary. Preliminary examination of high spectral resolution AIS data acquired in August of 1985 reveals no more information than found in the broad band TM data.

Green, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Development of the Ames Global Hyperspectral Synthetic Data Set: Surface Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function

This study introduces the Ames Global Hyperspectral Synthetic Data set (AGHSD), in particular the surface bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) product, to support the NASA Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) mission development. The data set is generated based on the corresponding multispectral BRDF products from NASA's MODIS satellite sensor. Based on theories of radiative transfer in vegetation canopies, we derive a simple but robust relationship that indicates that the hyperspectral surface BRDF can be accurately approximated as a weighted sum of the soil surface reflectance, the leaf single albedo, and the canopy scattering coefficient, where the weights or coefficients are spectrally invariant and thus readily estimated from the multispectral MODIS products. We validate the algorithm with simulations by a Monte Carlo Ray Tracing model and find the results highly consistent with the theoretic derivation. Using reflectance spectra of soil and vegetation derived from existing spectral libraries, we apply the algorithm to generate the AGHSD BRDF product at 1 km and 8-day resolutions for the year of 2019. The data set is biogeochemically and biogeophysically coherent and consistent, and serves the goal to support the SBG community in developing sciences and applications for the future global imaging spectroscopy mission.

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing↗
NASA NTRS1970

Spectral reflectance characteristics and automated data reduction techniques which identify wetland and water quality conditions in the Chesapeake Bay

Progress on research designed to test the usability of multispectral, high altitude, remotely sensed data to analyze ecological and hydrological conditions in estuarine environments is presented. Emphasis was placed on data acquired by NASA aircraft over the Patuxent River Chesapeake Bay Test Site, No. 168. Missions were conducted over the Chesapeake Bay at a high altitude flight of 18,460 m and a low altitude flight of 3070. The principle objectives of the missions were: (1) to determine feasibility of identifying source and extent of water pollution problems in Baltimore Harbor, Chesapeake Bay and major tributaries utilizing high altitude, ERTS analogous remote sensing data; (2) to determine the feasibility of mapping species composition and general ecological condition of Chesapeake Bay wetlands, utilizing high altitude, ERTS analogous data; (3) to correlate ground spectral reflectance characteristics of wetland plant species with tonal characteristics on multispectral photography; (4) to determine usefulness of high altitude thermal imagery in delinating isotherms and current patterns in the Chesapeake Bay; and (5) to investigate automated data interpretive techniques which may be usable on high altitude, ERTS analogous data.

Anderson, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Correlation of S-Band Weather Radar Reflectivity and ACTS Propagation Data in Florida

Previous work has shown that Ka-band attenuation due to rainfall and corresponding S-band reflectivity are highly correlated. This paper reports on work whose goal is to determine the feasibility of estimation and, by extension, prediction of one parameter from the other using the Florida ACTS propagation terminal (APT) and the nearby WSR-88D S-band Doppler weather radar facility operated by the National Weather Service. This work is distinguished from previous efforts in this area by (1) the use of a single-polarized radar, preventing estimation of the drop size distribution (e.g., with dual polarization) and (2) the fact that the radar and APT sites are not co-located. Our approach consists of locating the radar volume elements along the satellite slant path and then, from measured reflectivity, estimating the specific attenuation for each associated path segment. The sum of these contributions yields an estimation of the millimeter-wave attenuation on the space-ground link. Seven days of data from both systems are analyzed using this procedure. The results indicate that definite correlation of S-band reflectivity and Ka-band attenuation exists even under the restriciton of this experiment. Based on these results, it appears possible to estimate Ka-band attenuation using widely available operational weather radar data. Conversely, it may be possible to augment current radar reflectivity data and coverage with low-cost attenuation or sky temperature data to improve the estimation of rain rates.

Wolfe, Eric E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Soybean canopy reflectance as influenced by cultural practices

Experiments were conducted at West Lafayette, Indiana in 1978 and 1979 to study the reflectance factor of soybean canopies as affected by differences in row width, population, planting date, cultivar and soil type. Reflectance factor data were acquired throughout the growing season with a LANDSAT-band radiometer. Agronomic data included plant height, leaf area index, development stage, total fresh and dry biomass, percent soil cover, and grain yield. The results indicate that row width, planting date, and cultivar influence the percent soil cover, leaf area index, and biomass present, which are in turn related to the multispectral reflectance. Additionally, the reflectance data were quite sensitive to the onset of senescence. Soil color and moisture were found to be important factors influencing the reflectance in single LANDSAT bands, but the near infrared/red reflectance ratio and the greeness transformation were less sensitive than the single bands to the soil background present.

Bauer, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Airborne remote sensing of canopy water thickness scaled from leaf spectrometer data

The reflectance ratio of the middle-infrared band (MIR) to the near-infrared band (NIR) is linearly related to the log(10) equivalent water thickness (EWT) for single leaves of different morphologies, whereas the MIR/NIR radiance ratio is correlated with the leaf area index (LAI). The hypothesis that the MIR/NIR ratio measures canopy EWT was tested by reanalyzing airborne Thematic Mapper Simulator and field data obtained across a large gradient of LAI in western Oregon, U.S.A. The measured airborne MIR/NIR reflectance ratios for canopies were not significantly different from the predicted ratios using leaf data for canopy EWT, except for two desert woodland sites. The interpretation of the MIR/NIR ratio is scale-dependent, because leaf EWT is determined primarily by variations in LAI.

Hunt, E. Raymond, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Spectral estimators of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation in corn canopies

Most models of crop growth and yield require an estimate of canopy leaf area index (LAI) or absorption of radiation. Relationships between photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorbed by corn canopies and the spectral reflectance of the canopies were investigated. Reflectance factor data were acquired with a LANDSAT MSS band radiometer. From planting to silking, the three spectrally predicted vegetation indices examined were associated with more than 95% of the variability in absorbed PAR. The relationships developed between absorbed PAR and the three indices were evaluated with reflectance factor data acquired from corn canopies planted in 1979 through 1982. Seasonal cumulations of measured LAI and each of the three indices were associated with greater than 50% of the variation in final grain yields from the test years. Seasonal cumulations of daily absorbed PAR were associated with up to 73% of the variation in final grain yields. Absorbed PAR, cumulated through the growing season, is a better indicator of yield than cumulated leaf area index. Absorbed PAR may be estimated reliably from spectral reflectance data of crop canopies.

Gallo, K. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Spectral estimators of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation in corn canopies

Most models of crop growth and yield require an estimate of canopy leaf area index (LAI) or absorption of radiation. Relationships between photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorbed by corn canopies and the spectral reflectance of the canopies were investigated. Reflectance factor data were acquired with a Landsat MSS band radiometer. From planting to silking, the three spectrally predicted vegetation indices examined were associated with more than 95 percent of the variability in absorbed PAR. The relationships developed between absorbed PAR and the three indices were evaluated with reflectance factor data acquired from corn canopies planted in 1979 through 1982. Seasonal cumulations of measured LAI and each of the three indices were associated with greater than 50 percent of the variation in final grain yields from the test years. Seasonal cumulations of daily absorbed PAR were associated with up to 73 percent of the variation in final grain yields. Absorbed PAR, cumulated through the growing season, is a better indicator of yield than cumulated leaf area index. Absorbed PAR may be estimated reliably from spectral reflectance data of crop canopies.

Gallo, K. P.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Low Altitude AVIRIS Data for Mapping Land Cover in Yellowstone National Park: Use of Isodata Clustering Techniques

Yellowstone National Park (YNP) contains a diversity of land cover. YNP managers need site-specific land cover maps, which may be produced more effectively using high-resolution hyperspectral imagery. ISODATA clustering techniques have aided operational multispectral image classification and may benefit certain hyperspectral data applications if optimally applied. In response, a study was performed for an area in northeast YNP using 11 select bands of low-altitude AVIRIS data calibrated to ground reflectance. These data were subjected to ISODATA clustering and Maximum Likelihood Classification techniques to produce a moderately detailed land cover map. The latter has good apparent overall agreement with field surveys and aerial photo interpretation.

Spruce, Joe↗
NASA NTRS1988

Vegetation reflectance features in AVIRIS data

Equations for converting Airborne Visible-IR Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) digital numbers to percent reflectance were developed using a set of three calibration targets. When converted to reflectance the following spectral features of vegetation can be observed in AVIRIS data: details in the pigment absorption region, the red edge, the NIR plateau, leaf water absorptions on the NIR plateau, leaf water absorptions, and lignocellulose absorptions. These results indicate that AVIRIS data will be quite useful in geobotanical remote sensing.

Elvidge, Christopher D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Estimation of spectral reflectance curves from multispectral image data

A technique is presented for estimating spectral reflectance curves from multispectral image data even if the spectral samples are obtained from channels whose spectral responsivity is not narrowband. It is demonstrated that these reflectance estimates can be written as a linear combination of the spectral samples and that, analogous to Shannon's sampling theorem, if the spectral reflectance is a natural cubic spline, it can be estimated exactly provided the number of spectral channels is sufficiently large. Simulation results suggest that the accuracy of the spectral reflectance estimates is quite good and very insensitive to the spectral responsivity shapes.

Park, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Monitoring land surface change over semi-arid regions using multispectral satellite data

Visible reflectance and surface temperature are derived from observations by the AVHRR on the NOAA-7 and NOAA-9 satellites and microwave emission at 37-GHz by the SMMR on Nimbus-7 satellite over the Sahel and Sudan zones. The AVHRR data is for the period January 1982 to December 1986, while the SMMR data is for the period January 1979 to December 1986. Rainfall data show that both the Sahel and Sudan zones experienced a particularly severe drought during 1984, and thus the present analysis shows the patterns leading to and recovering from the 1984 drought. Interrelationships among these multispectral data and the ways these relationships change in response to drought are evaluated in relation to field observations and heat balance models.

Choudhury, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Calibration to surface reflectance of terrestrial imaging spectrometry data: Comparison of methods

Many algorithms for spectral analysis of imaging spectroscopy data of the Earth's surface require that the data be calibrated to surface reflectance. Calibration requires removing instrumental response, solar irradiance, atmospheric transmittance, and atmospheric scattering from the radiance detected at the sensor. Depending on the amount of support data, this can be a formidable task. This paper examines four methods of calibration: (1) a radiative transfer model from the University of Colorado (ATREM: Gao and Goetz, 1990; Gao et al., 1992), (2) a MODTRAN-based method developed at the Jet Propulsion Lab by Green et al., (1191), (3) a ground calibration using known sites as standards, and (4) a combined approach using radiative transfer methods and ground calibration. Data from the Airborne Visual and Infra-Red Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) instrument were evaluated from data sets obtained over multiple years and multiple sites.

Clark, Roger N.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Utilizing Calibrated GPS Reflected Signals to Estimate Soil Reflectivity and Dielectric Constant: Results from SMEX02

Extensive reflected GPS data was collected using a GPS reflectometer installed on an HC130 aircraft during the Soil Moisture Experiment 2002 (SMEX02) near Ames, Iowa. At the same time, widespread surface truth data was acquired in the form of point soil moisture profiles, areal sampling of near-surface soil moisture, total green biomass and precipitation history, among others. Previously, there have been no reported efforts to calibrate reflected GPS data sets acquired over land. This paper reports the results of two approaches to calibration of the data that yield consistent results. It is shown that estimating the strength of the reflected signals by either (1) assuming an approximately specular surface reflection or (2) inferring the surface slope probability density and associated normalization constants give essentially the same results for the conditions encountered in SMEX02. The corrected data is converted to surface reflectivity and then to dielectric constant as a test of the calibration approaches. Utilizing the extensive in-situ soil moisture related data this paper also presents the results of comparing the GPS-inferred relative dielectric constant with the Wang-Schmugge model frequently used to relate volume moisture content to dielectric constant. It is shown that the calibrated GPS reflectivity estimates follow the expected dependence of permittivity with volume moisture, but with the following qualification: The soil moisture value governing the reflectivity appears to come from only the top 1-2 centimeters of soil, a result consistent with results found for other microwave techniques operating at L-band. Nevertheless, the experimentally derived dielectric constant is generally lower than predicted. Possible explanations are presented to explain this result.

Katzberg, Stephen J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Mars Mineral Spectroscopy Web Site: A Resource for Remote Planetary Spectroscopy

A web site dedicated to Mars Mineral Spectroscopy has been established at http://www.mtholyoke.edu/go/mars. Its goal is to provide an easily accessible data set of Mossbauer spectra of minerals collected over a range of temperatures, to provide suitable analog spectra for data acquired on remote surfaces such as Mars. Complementing these data (eventually) will be both reflectance FTIR data, collected at Brown University's RELAB facility, and Raman spectra to be collected by Jill Pasteris at Washington University St. Louis. Through our Education link, we provide information for those wishing to learn about how Mossbauer and other types of spectroscopy work. Our emphasis is to study only well-characterized mineral samples that represent typical rock-forming occurrences such as might exist on Mars and other terrestrial bodies in our solar system.

Dyar, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

CCD reflectance spectra of selected asteroids. I - Presentation and data analysis considerations

Narrowband reflectance spectra have been acquired which contribute to the library of asteroid data in the visible and near-IR spectral regions. The spectra support the existence of aqueous alteration products on asteroids located in the outer part of the main asteroid belt out to at least 4 AU. No evidence for features similar to the spectral features of ordinary chondrite meteorites was found in the spectra of asteroids located near the 3:1 Kirkwood Gap chaotic zone.

Vilas, Faith↗
NASA NTRS1985

Ground Reflectance Measurements from Thematic Mapper Data

Satellite radiance data are measures of solar radiation that has been reflected by the Earth's surface and scattered and absorbed by atmospheric gases and aerosols. Of concern to geologists are the surface reflectance and the degrading effects on surface resolution and albedo contrast introduced by atmospheric phenomena. The objects of this research have been to: (1) provide an empirical relationship between scanner radiance and ground reflectance allowing interpretation of the satellite data in terms of the surface parameter, and (2) assess the precision with which surface spectral reflectance may be recovered from LANDSAT-4 TM data in the presence of perturbing atmospheric and instrumental factors. The approach is field-oriented, and utilizes ground observations of surface spectral reflectance with portable spectrometers and radiometers to develop the required empirical relationships.

Conel, J. E.↗