Initial analysis of ocean color data from the ocean color and temperature scanner. II. Geometric and radiometric analysis

W W Gregg; F S Patt; W E Esaias

doi:10.1364/ao.38.005692

Initial analysis of ocean color data from the ocean color and temperature scanner. II. Geometric and radiometric analysis

Appl Opt. 1999 Sep 20;38(27):5692-702. doi: 10.1364/ao.38.005692.

Authors

W W Gregg¹, F S Patt, W E Esaias

Affiliation

¹ Laboratory for Hydrospheric Processes, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 971, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA. gregg@cabin.gsfc.nasa.gov

PMID: 18324080
DOI: 10.1364/ao.38.005692

Abstract

We assessed the geometric and radiometric performance of the ocean color and temperature scanner (OCTS) using data acquired over the United States. Initial results indicated a geometric offset in the along-track direction of 4-5 pixels that was attributed to a tilt bias. OCTS radiometric data appeared to suffer from near-field and possibly far-field scatter effects. Analysis of radiometric stability was inconclusive because of daily variability and the absence of a full seasonal cycle. Comparison of OCTS-computed water-leaving radiances with colocated in situ measurements showed that the prelaunch calibration required adjustment from -2% to +13%. Minor modification of OCTS data processing based on these results and avoidance of near-field scatter effects can enable improved and more-reliable OCTS data for quantitative scientific analyses.