Retrieval of apparent surface reflectance from AVIRIS data: A comparison of empirical line, radiative transfer, and spectral mixture methods

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Three methods for converting Airborne Visible / Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) radiance data to apparent surface reflectance were compared using data collected over the Lunar Crater Volcanic Field in Nevada and the Pavant Butte tuff cone in Utah. The methods examined were the empirical line method, radiative transfer modeling (using LOWTRAN 7), and spectral mixture analysis using reference endmembers. Of the three, the empirical line and spectral mixture methods both provided good results. The approach utilizing LOWTRAN 7 accentuates noise inherent in AVIRIS data and requires a very accurate estimate of atmospheric water.