Effects of atmospheric path on airborne multispectral sensors

Abstract

Experimental data were acquired for a study of the effects of variableatmospheric path on the spectral signals obtained by remote sensors in the optical region of the spectrum. Multichannel optical-mechanical scanners which provide calibrated apparent spectral radiance data were flown over agricultural test sites, and passes were made at several different altitudes between 2000 and 10,000 ft. The quantitative results compare favorably with qualitative theoretical predictions. Optical-mechanical scanners and aerial photographic systems are compared to show the relative importance of potentially detrimental atmospheric path effects with regard to the operation of these systems in remote sensing.