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NASA NTRS1980

ERBE - Assessment of measurement accuracy

The Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) represents a continuing effort to estimate the solar incident and earth reflected and emitted radiance from spacecraft measurements. The development of accurate and stable sensors and calibration sources is mandatory but not sufficient to attain and validate required measurement accuracies. It is also necessary to develop and experimentally test computational models of the calibration and measurement processes to account for environmental differences between (static) calibrations and (dynamic) measurements of the earth radiant exitance that varies with wavelength, position, direction, and time.

Spiers, R. B., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2003

High-accuracy hyperspectral ground truth reflectance techniques - field methods, analysis tips, and theoretical considerations

The Multi-angle Imaging Spectro-Radiometer aboard Terra calibration and validation team at JPL employs a suite of ground based radiance measurements to derive multi-angle TOA radiance predictions.

hyperspectral field reflectance in-situ↗

NASA NTRS2009

Summary of Current Radiometric Calibration Coefficients for Landsat MSS, TM, ETM+, and EO-1 ALI Sensors

This paper provides a summary of the current equations and rescaling factors for converting calibrated Digital Numbers (DNs) to absolute units of at-sensor spectral radiance, Top-Of- Atmosphere (TOA) reflectance, and at-sensor brightness temperature. It tabulates the necessary constants for the Multispectral Scanner (MSS), Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), and Advanced Land Imager (ALI) sensors. These conversions provide a basis for standardized comparison of data in a single scene or between images acquired on different dates or by different sensors. This paper forms a needed guide for Landsat data users who now have access to the entire Landsat archive at no cost.

Chander, Gyanesh↗

NASA NTRS2018

The JPSS CrIS Instrument and the Evolution of Space-Based Infrared Sounders

This paper will summarize the development of infrared sounders since the 1970s, describe the technological hurdles that were overcome to provide ever-increasing performance capabilities, and highlight the radiometric performance of the CrIS instrument on JPSS-1 (CrIS-JPSS1). This includes details of the CrIS-JPSS1 measured noise-equivalent spectral radiance (NEdN) performance, radiometric uncertainty performance utilizing a new and improved internal calibration target, short-term and long-term repeatability, spectral uncertainty, and spectral stability. In addition, the full-resolution operating modes for CrIS-JPSS1 will be reviewed, including a discussion of how these modes will be used during on-orbit characterization tests. We will provide a brief update of CrIS-SNPP on-obit performance and the production status of the CrIS instruments for JPSS-2 through JPSS-4. Current technological challenges will also be reviewed, including how ongoing research and development is enabling improvements to future sounders. The expanding usage of infrared sounding data will also be discussed, including demonstration of value via data assimilation, the roles of the public/private sector in communicating the importance of sounding data for long-term observations, and the long road to success from research to operational data products.

Glumb, Ronald↗

NASA NTRS2011

Adjustments to the MODIS Terra Radiometric Calibration and Polarization Sensitivity in the 2010 Reprocessing

The Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA s Earth Observing System (EOS) satellite Terra provides global coverage of top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiances that have been successfully used for terrestrial and atmospheric research. The MODIS Terra ocean color products, however, have been compromised by an inadequate radiometric calibration at the short wavelengths. The Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG) at NASA has derived radiometric corrections using ocean color products from the SeaWiFS sensor as truth fields. In the R2010.0 reprocessing, these corrections have been applied to the whole mission life span of 10 years. This paper presents the corrections to the radiometric gains and to the instrument polarization sensitivity, demonstrates the improvement to the Terra ocean color products, and discusses issues that need further investigation. Although the global averages of MODIS Terra ocean color products are now in excellent agreement with those of SeaWiFS and MODIS Aqua, and image quality has been significantly improved, the large corrections applied to the radiometric calibration and polarization sensitivity require additional caution when using the data.

Meister, Gerhard↗

NASA NTRS2001

SIMBIOS Sun Photometer Program

Aerosol optical thickness (AOT) values determined from the satellite ocean color data provide useful information on the spatial and temporal distributions of aerosols and are by-products of the atmospheric corrections required to estimation of water-leaving radiances. The Sensor Intercomparison and Merger for Biological and Interdisciplinary Oceanic Studies (SIMBIOS) project is using in situ atmospheric data, primarily from sun photometers, for several purposes including: (1) validation the SeaWiFS and other ocean color mission aerosol optical products, e.g., AOT and Angstrom exponent; (2) evaluation of the aerosol models currently used for atmospheric corrections; and (3) development of vicarious sensor calibration methodologies, especially for the near-infrared bands where in situ water-leaving radiance data in the visible from sites like the Marine Optical Buoy cannot be used. The principal source of in situ aerosol observations was the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET).

McClain, Charles↗

NASA NTRS2004

Blackbody Cavity for Calibrations at 200 to 273 K

A laboratory blackbody cavity has been designed and built for calibrating infrared radiometers used to measure radiant temperatures in the range from about 200 to about 273 K. In this below-room-temperature range, scattering of background infrared radiation from room-temperature surfaces could, potentially, contribute significantly to the spectral radiance of the blackbody cavity, thereby contributing a significant error to the radiant temperature used as the calibration value. The present blackbody cavity is of an established type in which multiple reflections from a combination of conical and cylindrical black-coated walls are exploited to obtain an effective emissivity greater than the emissivity value of the coating material on a flat exposed surface. The coating material in this case is a flat black paint that has an emissivity of approximately of 0.91 in the thermal spectral range and was selected over other, higher-emissivity materials because of its ability to withstand thermal cycling. We found many black coatings cracked and flaked after thermal cycling due to differences in the coefficient of expansion differences. On the basis of theoretical calculations, the effective emissivity is expected to approach 0.999. The cylindrical/conical shell enclosing the cavity is machined from copper, which is chosen for its high thermal conductivity. In use, the shell is oriented vertically, open end facing up, and inserted in a Dewar flask filled with isopropyl alcohol/dry-ice slush. A flange at the open end of the shell is supported by a thermally insulating ring on the lip of the Dewar flask. The slush cools the shell (and thus the black-body cavity) to the desired temperature. Typically, the slush starts at a temperature of about 194 K. The slush is stirred and warmed by bubbling dry air or nitrogen through it, thereby gradually increasing the temperature through the aforementioned calibration range during an interval of several hours. The temperature of the slush is monitored by use of a precise thermocouple probe.

Howell, Dane↗

NASA NTRS2007

Blackbody Cavity for Calibrations at 200 to 273 K

Howell, Dane↗

NASA NTRS1984

Radiometric Calibration and Geocoded Precision Processing of LANDSAT-4 Multispectral Scanner Products by the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing

Inherent in the method used by CCRS for the radiometric calibration of LANDSAT-4 MSS data is the possibility for the user to convert the corrected digital values to the absolute scene radiance of the target under observation. The generation of the constants needed for this final conversion requires both the pre-launch and post-launch radiometric calibration constants as supplied by NASA. Results of some preliminary comparative studies of the radiometric properties of the LANDSAT-4 MSS versus earlier satellites in the LANDSAT series are presented as well as early observations on the stability of the calibration data, within one scene, within one orbit, and over a period of several months. Residual striping in the corrected products is estimated. The method used to perform precision processing of the LANDSAT MSS data for generating geocoded or map compatible LANDSAT MSS products in the Unviersal Transverse Mercator projection is also reviewed. LANDSAT-4 MSS precision processed products are evaluated for geodetic accuracy, and are compared to similar products from the previous LANDSAT satellites to assess the orbit independent registration accuracy.

Murphy, J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Spectroradiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner system

The reduction of the data measured on July 8, 1984 at White Sands, New Mexico is summarized. The radiance incident at the entrance pupil of the LANDSAT 5 sensors have been computed for bands 1 to 4. When these are compared to the digital counts of the TM image, the ground based calibration for this sensor will be given. The image was received from Goddard SFC and is presently being analyzed.

Slater, P. N.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Assessment of MODIS Reflected Solar Calibration Uncertainty

Determination of the calibration accuracy and traceability of a remote sensing instrument is a driving issue in the use of satellite data for calibration inter-comparisons and studying climate change. The Terra and Aqua MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments have successfully operated for more than 11 and 9 years, respectively. Twenty of the thirty six MODIS spectral bands are in the reflected solar region with center wavelengths ranging from 0.41 to 2.2 microns. MODIS reflective solar band (RSB) on-orbit calibration is reflectance based through the use of an on-board solar diffuser (SO). The calibration uncertainty requirements are +/-2.0% for the RSB reflectance factors at sensor specified typical scene reflectances or radiances. The SO bi-directional reflectance factor (BRF) was characterized pre-launch and its on-orbit changes are tracked by an on-board solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM). This paper provides an assessment of MODIS RSB on-orbit calibration traceability and uncertainty for its Level 1B (L1B) reflectance factors. It examines in details each of the uncertainty contributors, including those from pre-launch measurements as well as on-orbit observations. Common challenging issues and differences due to individual sensors' specific characteristics and on-orbit performance are also discussed in this paper. Guidance and recommendations are presented, based on lessons from MODIS RSB calibration uncertainty assessment, for the development of future instrument calibration and validation plans.

Xiong, Xiaoxiong↗

NASA NTRS1991

A new self-calibration method applied to TOMS and SBUV backscattered ultraviolet data to determine long-term global ozone change

The currently archived (1989) total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS) and solar backscattered ultraviolet (SBUV) total ozone data (version 5) show a global average decrease of about 9.0 percent from November 1978 to November 1988. This large decrease disagrees with an approximate 3.5-percent decrease estimated from the ground-based Dobson network. The primary source of disagreement was found to arise from an overestimate of reflectivity change and its incorrect wavelengths dependence for the diffuse plate used when measuring solar irradiance. Both of these factors have led to an overestimate of the rate of atmospheric ozone depletion by SBUV and TOMS. For total ozone measured by TOMS, a means has been found to use the measured radiance-irradiance ratio from several wavelengths pairs to construct an internally self-consistent calibration. The method uses the wavelength dependence of the sensitivity to calibration errors and the requirement that albedo ratios for each wavelength pair yield the same total ozone amounts. Smaller errors in determining spacecraft attitude, synchronization problems with the photon counting electronics, and sea-glint contamination of boundary reflectivity data have been corrected or minimized. New climatological low-ozone profiles have been incorporated into the TOMS algorithm that are appropriate for Antarctic ozone hole conditions and other low ozone cases. The combined corrections have led to a new determination of the global average total ozone trend (version 6) as a 2.9 + or - 1.3 percent decrease over 11 years (October 1978 to November 1989).

Herman, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Broadband IR Measurements for Modis Validation

The primary objective of this research was the development and deployment of autonomous shipboard systems for infrared measurement of ocean surface skin temperature (SST). The focus was on demonstrating long-term, all-weather capability and supplying calibrated skin SST to the MODIS Ocean Science Team (MOCEAN). A secondary objective was to investigate and account for environmental factors that affect in situ measurements of SST for validation of satellite products. We developed and extensively deployed the Calibrated, InfraRed, In situ Measurement System, or CIRIMS, for at-sea validation of satellite-derived SST. The design goals included autonomous operation at sea for up to 6 months and an accuracy of +/- 0.1 C. We used commercially available infrared pyrometers and a precision blackbody housed in a temperature-controlled enclosure. The sensors are calibrated at regular interval using a cylindro-cone target immersed in a temperature-controlled water bath, which allows the calibration points to follow the ocean surface temperature. An upward-looking pyrometer measures sky radiance in order to correct for the non-unity emissivity of water, which can introduce an error of up to 0.5 C. One of the most challenging aspects of the design was protection against the marine environment. A wide range of design strategies to provide accurate, all-weather measurements were investigated. The CIRIMS uses an infrared transparent window to completely protect the sensor and calibration blackbody from the marine environment. In order to evaluate the performance of this approach, the design incorporates the ability to make measurements with and without the window in the optical path.

Jessup, Andrew T.↗

NASA NTRS2024

Uncertainty Budget for Detector-Based Absolute Radiometric Calibration With GLAMR

The accuracy of the absolute radiometric calibration (RadCal) for remote sensing instruments is essential to their wide range of applications. The uncertainty associated to the traditional source-based RadCal method is assessed at a 2% (k=1) or higher level for radiance measurement. To further improve the accuracy to meet the demands of climate studies, a detector-based approach using tunable lasers as a light source has been devised. The Goddard Laser for Absolute Measurement of Radiance, known as the GLAMR system, is a notable example of the incorporation of such technology. Using transfer radiometers calibrated at NIST as calibration standards, the absolute spectral response (ASR) function of a remote sensing instrument is measured with its uncertainty traceable to the International System of Units. This paper presents a comprehensive uncertainty analysis of the detector-based absolute RadCal using the GLAMR system. It identifies and examines uncertainty sources during the GLAMR RadCal test, including those from the GLAMR system, the testing configuration, and data processing methodologies. Analysis is carried out to quantify the contribution of each source and emphasize the most influential factors. It is shown that the calibration uncertainty of GLAMR RadCal can be better than 0.3% (k=1) in the wavelength range of 350-950 nm and 0.6% (k=1) between 950-2300 nm, with the exception of regions with strong water absorption. In addition, recommendations are made to refine the calibration process to further reduce the uncertainty.

Zhipeng Wang↗

NASA NTRS1984

In-flight Absolute Radiometric Calibration of the Thematic Mapper

Ground spectral reflectance and atmospheric spectral optical depth measurements made at White Sands, New Mexico were used with an atmospheric radiative transfer program to determine the spectral radiance at the entrance pupil of the LANDSAT-4 TM. Comparison with the output digital counts of the TM, when imaging the measured ground area, provided an absolute calibration for five detectors in TM bands 2, 3, and 4. By reference to an adjacent, larger uniform area, the calibration was extended to all 16 detectors in each of three bands. Preflight calibration results agreed with these inflight measurements to 6.6%, 2.4%, and 12.9% in bands 2,3, and 4, respectively.

Palmer, J.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Updates to the Absolute Radiometric Accuracy of the AIRS on Aqua

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on the EOS Aqua Spacecraft was launched on May 4, 2002. The AIRS was designed to measure small changes in the global hydro-thermodynamic cycle and has demonstrated exceptional radiometric and spectral stability and accuracy in-orbit. This accuracy is achieved by transferring the calibration from a Large Area Blackbody (LABB) to the On-Board Calibrator (OBC) blackbody during preflight testing. The LABB theoretical emissivity is in excess of 0.9999 and temperature uncertainty is less than 50 mK. The LABB emitted radiance is NIST traceable through thermistors located on the internal surfaces. The AIRS also provides a full aperture space view every scan for offset calibration. AIRS nonlinearity and polarization calibration coefficients were based on pre-flight testing and have been amongst the highest uncertainty sources in the calibration. A recent method using on-board space view data has reduced the uncertainty of the polarization coefficients and use of separate A side and B side data from preflight testing has reduced the uncertainty of the nonlinearity estimates. An update to the system radiometric uncertainty is made based on the new data and is presented in this paper.

Weiler, Margaret H.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Analysis of AIS radiometry at Mono Lake, California

Airborne imaging spectrometer (AIS) data were studied to establish absolute instrumental calibration and to provide atmospheric corrections. Good agreement is found between calculated and measured radiances for uniform surface targets (beaches), but simulations of atmospheric properties with LOWTRAN lead to unreasonably low values of atmospheric precipitable water. Absorptions from CO2 are not detected in the AIS data, but are strongly present in the LOWTRAN model. The apparent low contrast of all atmospheric absorption bands leads to a study of contamination from overlapping spectral orders in the AIS data. The suspected contamination is shown unambiguously to be present beyond 1500 nm. The magnitude remains uncertain. Spectral band filling at 1400 nm cannot be accounted for by order mixing because of the 800 nm blocking filter used. Rough corrections for short wavelength mode observations might be possible if an after-the-fact radiometric calibration of the instrument can be developed.

Conel, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS2021

Assessing Sensitivity of MERRA-2 to AMSU-A in the Upper Stratosphere

Microwavetemperaturesounders provide key observationsin data assimilation, both in the 9current and historical global observing systems, as they provide the largest amount of horizontal and vertical temperature information due to their insensitivity to clouds. In the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2),microwave sounder radiances from the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A)are assimilated beginning with NOAA-15and continuing through the current period. The time series of observation minus background statistics forAMSU-A channels sensitive to upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere show variabilities due to changes in AMSU-A constellation in the early AMSU-A period.Noted discrepancies are seen at the onset and exit of AMSU-A observations on the NOAA-15, NOAA-16, NOAA-17, and NASA EOS Aqua satellites.This effort characterizesthesensitivity, both in terms of the observations and the MERRA-2 analysis. Furthermore, it exploresthe use of reprocessed and inter-calibrated datasets to evaluatewhether these homogenized observations can reduce the disparity due to change in instrumental biases against the model background. The results indicate that the AMSU-A radiances used in MERRA-2 are the fundamental cause of this inter-platform sensitivitywhich can be mitigated by using reprocessed data.The results explore the importance of the reprocessing of the AMSU-A radiances as well as their inter-calibration.

MERRA-2↗