Investigation related to multispectral imaging systems

A summary of technical progress made during a five year research program directed toward the development of operational information systems based on multispectral sensing and the use of these systems in earth-resource survey applications is presented. Efforts were undertaken during this program to: (1) improve the basic understanding of the many facets of multispectral remote sensing, (2) develop methods for improving the accuracy of information generated by remote sensing systems, (3) improve the efficiency of data processing and information extraction techniques to enhance the cost-effectiveness of remote sensing systems, (4) investigate additional problems having potential remote sensing solutions, and (5) apply the existing and developing technology for specific users and document and transfer that technology to the remote sensing community

HIRIS (High-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer: Science opportunities for the 1990s. Earth observing system. Volume 2C: Instrument panel report

The high-resolution imaging spectrometer (HIRIS) is an Earth Observing System (EOS) sensor developed for high spatial and spectral resolution. It can acquire more information in the 0.4 to 2.5 micrometer spectral region than any other sensor yet envisioned. Its capability for critical sampling at high spatial resolution makes it an ideal complement to the MODIS (moderate-resolution imaging spectrometer) and HMMR (high-resolution multifrequency microwave radiometer), lower resolution sensors designed for repetitive coverage. With HIRIS it is possible to observe transient processes in a multistage remote sensing strategy for Earth observations on a global scale. The objectives, science requirements, and current sensor design of the HIRIS are discussed along with the synergism of the sensor with other EOS instruments and data handling and processing requirements

The effect of facade design on facade surface temperature and outdoor microclimate

Extreme heat due to climate change, heatwaves and the urban heat island effect amplify urban heat-health risks. Addressing urban heat is now an adaptive policy priority for global and Australian cities. The microclimates of pedestrians are influenced by the design of buildings which are the basic units of urban climate. For architects to adopt building climatology principles they require predictive information about the microclimate effects of building design at spatial scales relevant to their decision-making. Despite recent advances in urban heat mitigation technologies significant knowledge gaps remain in the climatology of facades . This research aims to addresses this shortcoming by assessing the effect of facade design on facade surface temperature and outdoor microclimate. Ground-based high-resolution thermal and multi-spectral image data were combined with short-term near-facade micrometeorological measurements to investigate the relationships between facade brightness surface temperature, near-facade mean radiant temperature and the sub-facet-, facet- and canyon-scale surface properties of forty multi-storey urban building facades in Greater Sydney. Key outcomes include the development of a methodology for in-situ thermal, spectral reflectance and facade and canyon surface property data acquisition, processing and analyses and the specification of statistical models to predict facade brightness surface temperature. The spatial effects statistical analysis quantified the individual contributions of sub-facet-scale material and geometric properties to intra-facade surface temperature variability. The multilevel statistical model quantified the relative contributions of near-facade micrometeorological quantities, canyon and solar geometry and facade surface properties to inter-facade variability of facade surface temperature. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the research methodology, provide facade design principles to mitigate near-facade pedestrian thermal exposure and illustrate the utility of the predictive statistical models for the assessment of potential facade design modifications on facade surface temperature at spatial scales relevant to the architect s decision-making. The methods, routines and results advance the application of climate sensitive building design through the integration of quantitative and visual communication amenable to architects

A study of areas of low radio-thermal emissivity on Venus

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 1992.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 168-175).by Robert Joseph Wilt.Ph.D

The upper atmosphere

Energy transfer, and heat sinks and sources in upper atmosphere for composition and temperature behavio

Evaluation of spore wall chemistry as a novel biochemical proxy for UV·B radiation

The stratospheric ozone layer provides protection for Earth's land-based organisms against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, but the past century has seen the ozone layer compromised as a result of human activity, resulting in commensurate variations in surface UV -B flux. Despite the importance of UV radiation to the well-being of life, reliable records of surface UV-B flux only exist for a short period of time (20-30 years). In order to gain a deeper understanding of the behaviour of ozone and UV-B flux in the past, an alternative method of determining UV-B is required. Changes in spore chemistry have been proposed as a palaeo-monitor of UV-B flux, which can then be related to stratospheric ozone abundance. By employing the rapid and inexpensive technique of FTIR microspectroscopy to investigate changes in spore chemistry, a large dataset spanning seven different spatial and temporal UV regimes has been generated in order to evaluate the feasibility of routine usage of a spore-based UV-B proxy. Exploring contemporary samples grown under controlled UV conditions and spores preserved in historical archives reveals that modem-day and recent spore chemistry show a positive relationship with known and calculated UV-B flux, with additional environmental factors such as cloudiness and vegetation canopy cover superimposed on these results. Examination of fossil spores obtained from sediments and experimentally matured specimens provides an insight into the chemical changes that occur in organic matter after incorporation into sediments, even under mild burial conditions. This thesis explores the potential of spore chemistry to act as a proxy monitor of past UV-B flux and is the first concerted attempt at applying FTIR spectroscopy to the investigation of spore chemistry in this way

Planetary Geological Science and Aerospace Systems Engineering Applications of Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing for Earth, Mars, and the Outer Bodies

abstract: Many planetary science missions study thermophysical properties of surfaces using infrared spectrometers and infrared cameras. Thermal inertia is a frequently derived thermophysical property that quantifies the ability for heat to exchange through planetary surfaces. To conceptualize thermal inertia, the diffusion equation analogies are extended using a general effusivity term: the square root of a product of conductivity and capacity terms. A hypothetical thermal inductance was investigated for diurnal planetary heating. The hyperbolic heat diffusion equation was solved to derive an augmented thermal inertia. The hypothetical thermal inductance was modeled with negligible effect on Mars. Extending spectral performance of infrared cameras was desired for colder bodies in the outer solar system where peak infrared emission is at longer wavelengths. The far-infrared response of an infrared microbolometer array with a retrofitted diamond window was determined using an OSIRIS-REx—OTES interferometer. An instrument response function of the diamond interferometer-microbolometer system shows extended peak performance from 15 µm out to 20 µm and 40% performance to at least 30 µm. The results are folded into E-THEMIS for the NASA flagship mission: Europa Clipper. Infrared camera systems are desired for the expanding smallsat community that can inherit risk and relax performance requirements. The Thermal-camera for Exploration, Science, and Imaging Spacecraft (THESIS) was developed for the Prox-1 microsat mission. THESIS, incorporating 2001 Mars Odyssey—THEMIS experience, consists of an infrared camera, a visible camera, and an instrument computer. THESIS was planned to provide images for demonstrating autonomous proximity operations between two spacecraft, verifying deployment of the Planetary Society’s LightSail-B, and conducting remote sensing of Earth. Prox-1—THESIS was selected as the finalist for the competed University Nanosatellite Program-7 and was awarded a launch on the maiden commercial SpaceX Falcon Heavy. THESIS captures 8-12 µm IR images with 100 mm optics and RGB color images with 25 mm optics. The instrument computer was capable of instrument commanding, automatic data processing, image storage, and telemetry recording. The completed THESIS has a mass of 2.04 kg, a combined volume of 3U, and uses 7W of power. THESIS was designed, fabricated, integrated, and tested in ASU’s 100K clean lab.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Geological Sciences 201

Study of the automated bioliogical laboratory project definition. Volume III - System engineering studies Final report, 10 Aug. 1964 - 10 Aug. 1965

Systems engineering studies for automated biological laboratory for exploration of life on Mar