The absolute radiometric calibration of the advanced very high resolution radiometer

The measurement conditions are described for an intensive field campaign at White Sands Missile Range for the calibration of the AVHRRs on NOAA-9, NOAA-10 and NOAA-11, LANDSAT-4 TM and SPOT. Three different methods for calibration of AVHRRs by reference to a ground surface site are reported, and results from these methods are compared. Significant degradations in NOAA-9 and NOAA-10 AVHRR responsivities occurred since prelaunch calibrations were completed. As of February 1988, degradations in NOAA-9 AVHRR responsivities were on the order of 37 percent in channel and 41 percent in channel 2, and for the NOAA-10 AVHRR these degradations were 42 and 59 percent in channels 1 and 2, respectively

Population dynamics of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in the Hudson River: settlement and post-settlement processes

Submitted in partial fulfillment of contract requirements with NOAA, Semi-Annual Report - October 2004,Report issued on: October 2004INHS Technical Report for submission to: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA

ALB Evaluation for NOAA charting requirements

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) acquires hydrographic data around the coasts of the US and its territories using in-house surveys and contracting resources. Hydrographic data are primarily collected using sonar systems, while a small percent is acquired via Airborne Lidar Bathymetry (ALB) for nearshore areas. NOAA has an ongoing requirement, as per the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act of 1947, to survey nearshore areas as part of its coastal mapping activities, including updating nautical charts, creating hydrodynamic models and supporting coastal planning and habitat mapping. NOAA has initiated a project to investigate the potential use of ALB data from non-hydrographic survey programmes (i.e., programmes designed to support objectives other than nautical charting and with specifications and requirements that differ from those of NOAA hydrographic surveys) in order to increase the amount of data available to meet these nearshore mapping requirements. THIS PAPER PRESENTS AN evaluation of ALB data from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) National Coastal Mapping Program (NCMP) for use by NOAA’s Offi ce of Coast Survey (OCS). Th ese NCMP datasets were evaluated through a statistical comparison to bathymetric surfaces derived from hydrographic NOAA surveys. Th e objectives of the analysis were: 1. to assess the level of agreement between the NCMP and OCS data in areas of overlap in a variety of coastal environments and 2. to determine whether NCMP ALB survey data can be compiled with NOAA OCS hydrographic data to generate seamless shallowbathymetry digital elevation modes (DEMs)

Estimating age of spotted and spinner dolphins (Stenella attenuata and Stenella longirostris) from teeth

This paper is an account of preparation and examination techniques and criteria used to estimate age in decalcified and stained tooth thin sections from spinner and spotted dolphins. A dentinal growth layer group (GLG), composed of two thin light and two thicker dark-stained layers, is deposited annually. The GLG component layers are variably visible, but the "ideal" pattern and successive thinning of dentinal GLGs are used as a guide to determine GLG limits. Age-specific thicknesses of dentinal GLGs found in Hawaiian spinner dolphin teeth seem to be applicable to teeth of spotted dolphins and can be used as an aid in locating GLG boundaries. Cementa1 GLGs are composed of a dark-stained and alightly stained layer and usually are deposited at a rate of one per year, but may be deposited every other year or two or three times per year. Two slightly different methods of counting dentinal GLGs are presented, along with guidelines for determining whether dentinal or cementa1 GLG counts provide the best estimate of age for a specimen. (PDF contains 23 pages.

Interpreting spotted dolphin age distributions

Previous work has determined the age distribution from a sample of spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) killed in the eastern Pacific tuna purse-seine fishery. In this paper we examine the usefulness of this age distribution for estimating natural mortality rates. The observed age distribution has a deficiency of individuals from 5-15 years and cannot represent a stable age distribution. Sampling bias and errors in age interpretation are examined as possible causes of the "dip" in the observed age structure. Natural mortality rates are estimated for the 15+ age classes based on the assumption that these are sampled representatively. The resulting annual survival rate <D.82) is too low to allow population growth, given what is known about dolphin reproductive rates. (PDF contains 30 pages.

A procedure for developing an acceptance test for airborne bathymetric lidar data application to NOAA charts in shallow waters

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hydrographic data is typically acquired using sonar systems, with a small percent acquired via airborne lidar bathymetry for near‐shore areas. This study investigated an integrated approach for meeting NOAA’s hydrographic survey requirements for near‐shore areas of NOAA charts, using the existing topographic‐bathymetric lidar data from USACE’s National Coastal Mapping Program (NCMP). Because these existing NCMP bathymetric lidar datasets were not collected to NOAA hydrographic surveying standards, it is unclear if, and under what circumstances, they might aid in meeting certain hydrographic surveying requirements. The NCMP’s bathymetric lidar data are evaluated through a comparison to NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey hydrographic data derived from acoustic surveys. As a result, it is possible to assess if NCMP’s bathymetry can be used to fill in the data gap shoreward of the navigable area limit line (0 to 4 meters) and if there is potential for applying NCMP’s bathymetry lidar data to near‐shore areas deeper than 10 meters. Based on the study results, recommendations will be provided to NOAA for the site conditions where this data will provide the most benefit. Additionally, this analysis may allow the development of future operating procedures and workflows using other topographic‐ bathymetric lidar datasets to help update near‐shore areas of the NOAA charts

Mission description and in-flight operations of ERBE instruments on ERBS, NOAA 9, and NOAA 10 spacecraft

Instruments of the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) are operating on three different Earth-orbiting spacecraft. The Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) is operated by NASA, and NOAA 9 and NOAA 10 weather satellites are operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This paper is the second in a series that describes the ERBE mission, and data processing and validation procedures. This paper describes the spacecraft and instrument operations for the second full year of in-orbit operations, which extend from February 1986 through January 1987. Validation and archival of radiation measurements made by ERBE instruments during this second year of operation were completed in July 1991. This period includes the only time, November 1986 through January 1987, during which all ERBE instruments aboard the ERBE, NOAA 9, and NOAA 10 spacecraft were simultaneously operational. This paper covers normal and special operations of the spacecraft and instruments, operational anomalies, and the responses of the instruments to in-orbit and seasonal variations in the solar environment

NOAA satellite programs and technology requirements

Information concerning NOAA satellite programs is presented in vugraph form. The following topics are discussed: NOAA's space philosophy, the NESDIS FY-93 budget summary, LANDSAT program status, a history of geostationary satellites, the GOES program, current GOES instruments, improved GOES capabilities, polar orbiters, a history of TIROS R&D satellites, a history of ESSA operational satellites, a history of ITOS/NOAA satellites, and a history of TIROS-N/NOAA satellites