International Journal of Remote Sensing · 1998 · 28 citations · 1 references
Natural SciencesEarth SciencesGeoinformaticsClimatologyGeomaticsRemote SensingLand Surface MonitoringRemote Sensing ImagerySatellite Data ValidationSatellite InstrumentationSatellite SensorsBidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function MeasurementBidirectional Reflectance Distribution FunctionsRemote Sensing Data AnalysisRemote Sensing SensorsRetrievalSatellite Remote Sensing DataSpatial VariabilitySpectral Characterization
Well characterized reference sites are of major importance for the calibration of remote sensors and the validation of retrieval algorithms. A 0.4 km square zone of 'La Crau', an arid area in the South of France, is well established for the calibration of SPOT HRV sensors, and has been regularly used for a variety of remote sensing campaigns. This study reports an investigation of the potential use of a more extended area of La Crau as a validation site for lower spatial resolution satellite sensors. Sample Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) measurements were acquired over a large part of the area of La Crau during a 3-week period in July 1995. The data were analysed to provide a detailed spectral characterization of the surface of La Crau and its temporal, directional and spatial variability. The results were used to simulate the three optical channels and the 1.6 mu m channel of the ATSR-2 sensor and compared with ATSR-2 image data from the site.
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