The temporal dynamics of calibration target reflectance

Abstract

A field experiment investigated the hypothesis that the nadir reflectance of calibration surface substrates (asphalt and concrete) remains stable over a range of time-scales. Measurable differences in spectral reflectance factors were found over periods as short as 30 minutes. Surface reflectance factors measured using a dual-field-of-view GER1500 spectroradiometer system showed a relationship with the relative proportion of diffuse irradiance, over periods when solar zenith changes were minimal. Reflectance measurements were collected over precise points on the calibration surfaces using a novel mobile spectroradiometer device, and uncertainty in terms of absolute reflectance was calculated as being < 0.05% within the usable range of the instrument (400-1000nm). Multi-date reflectance factors were compared using one-way ANOVA and found to differ significantly (p = 0.001). These findings illustrate the anisotropic nature of calibration surfaces, and place emphasis on the need to minimise the temporal delay in collection of field spectral measurements for vicarious calibration or empirical atmospheric correction purposes