Monitoring VIIRS thermal emissive bands long-term performance using lunar observations

Yonghong Li; Xiaoxiong Xiong

doi:10.1117/12.2571487

20 September 2020 Monitoring VIIRS thermal emissive bands long-term performance using lunar observations

Yonghong Li, Xiaoxiong Xiong

Proceedings Volume 11530, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXIV; 115301D (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2571487
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

Two Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instruments are currently operating in space, one onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) satellite launched on October 28, 2011 and the other onboard the NOAA-20 satellite launched on November 18, 2017. The performance of the seven VIIRS thermal emissive bands (TEBs) is monitored via on-orbit calibration data, the analysis of Earth view observations, as well as inter-comparisons with other sensors. The Moon has been used as a unique invariant target for on-orbit sensor calibration because its surface property is considered extremely stable over time in spectra, radiometry, and geometry with a repeatable lunar phase. This paper presents the assessments of the S-NPP and NOAA-20 VIIRS TEB on-orbit calibration stability using near-monthly scheduled lunar observations over their respective missions. The methodology previously developed for MODIS is now applied to VIIRS to monitor the TEB long-term stability by extracting and trending the lunar brightness temperatures from selected unsaturated pixels. It includes a correction applied to reduce any impact from the Sun–Moon geometry (e.g. Sun-Moon distance variation). The results show that the mission-long brightness temperature trends from the lunar surface are stable for all VIIRS TEBs, despite noticeable seasonal variations in the lunar thermal emissive radiance.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Yonghong Li and Xiaoxiong Xiong "Monitoring VIIRS thermal emissive bands long-term performance using lunar observations", Proc. SPIE 11530, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXIV, 115301D (20 September 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2571487

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available