Effects Of Aerosols On Imaging Through The Atmosphere: A Review Of Spatial Frequency And Wavelength Dependent Effects

Abstract

Experiments carried out over diagonal lines of sight through the entire atmosphere support the concept of spatial coherence degradation through forward scattering as described by an aerosol transfer function that strongly affects the wavelength dependence of imaging through the atmosphere. Airborne particulate size and concentration are affected strongly by wind strength and soil moisture. Changes in weather that result in changes in average particulate size of airborne soil-derived particulates also strongly change the wavelength dependence of resolution through the atmosphere as a result of changes in the wavelength dependence of the scattering coefficient. Knowledge of such effects can therefore permit prediction of spectral regions most suitable for imaging through the atmosphere. The roles of aerosols in determining optimum spectral regions for imaging through the atmosphere are quite significant since the turbulence modulation transfer function displays very little spectral dependence.