Spectro-radiometric measurements of non-variant targets intended for the removal of atmospheric effects from satellite images: the case study of Lemesos area in Cyprus

Abstract

It has been shown by Hadjimitsis et al. (2009) that the use of suitable non-variant targets in conjunction with the application of the empirical line method can remove atmospheric effects from satellite images effectively. The method is based on the selection of a number of suitable generic non-variant targets, on the basis that they are large, distinctive in shape, and occur in many geographical areas. The need to further test such method by suggesting more suitable nonvariant targets is one of the main aims of this study. Indeed, six targets have been already identified in the Lemesos District area in Cyprus, near the harbour and tested. In-situ spectro-radiometric measurements using the SVC HR-1024 field spectro-radiometer have been made on November 2009 and from February 2010 to April 2010. Some of the in-situ measurements were coincided with the Landsat TM/ETM+ overpass and the removal of atmospheric effects was very effective. The above targets have been scanned using a 3D terrestrial laser scanner (Leica ScanStation C10) so as to investigate the non-variability and uniformity of the proposed targets (through the laser scanner intensity values)