Detection of atmospheric gases using GER 63 channel scanner data acquired over Makhtesh Ramon, Negev, Israel

Abstract

Abstract Geophysical Environmental Research (GER) 63 channel scanner data acquired over Makhtesh Ramon, Negev, Israel, were investigated to retrieve information about atmospheric gases. Converting the data into apparent reflectance units via radiometric calibration, solar curve utilization and an offset factor revealed spectral features that matched modelled atmospheric gas spectra. The modelled spectra were generated using Lowtran-7 code and flight conditions. Most of the absorption features in the GER-reflectance spectra matched modelled features. Inconsistencies between the peak intensity at the oxygen bands (# 18 and #24) in the modelled and GER-reflectance spectra suggest error in the GER radiometric calibration for those bands. The modelled gas spectra indicate approximately 1-6cm precipitable water vapour for the flight and show thai the local topographic relief of 500 m can be detected from the spectral slope between 1·680-2·005/mi region (1·68/1·90 and 1·80/2·005) and from the normalized depth of...