Short-Wave Earth Surface Bi-Directional Reflectance Measurement Instruments

Measurements > Atmosphere > Radiation budget > Short-wave Earth surface bi-directional reflectance
Measurement Definition: Reflectance of the Earth’s surface function of the viewing angle and the illumination conditions in the range 0.4-0.7 µm (or other specific short-wave ranges) - Physical unit: [ % ] - Accuracy unit: [ % ].
InstrumentStatus/
Accuracy
Instrument DescriptionMeasurement TechnologyTimeline
AIRSOperationalHigh spectral resolution measurement of temperature and humidity profiles in the atmosphere. Long-wave Earth surface emissivity. Cloud diagnostics. Trace gas profiles. Surface temperatures.n/a
ASTEROperationalSurface and cloud imaging with high spatial resolution, stereoscopic observation of local topography, cloud heights, volcanic plumes, and generation of local surface digital elevation maps. Surface temperature and emissivity. ASTER SWIR detectors are no longer functioning due to anomalously high SWIR detector temperatures. ASTER SWIR data acquired since April 2008 are not useable, and show saturation of values and severe striping. All attempts to bring the SWIR bands back to life have failed, and no further action is envisioned.n/a
AVHRR/3OperationalMeasurements of land and sea surface temperature, cloud cover, snow and ice cover, soil moisture and vegetation indices. Data also used for volcanic eruption monitoring.n/a
EMITOperationalImaging spectroscopy from the visible to short wavelength infrared (VSWIR) to determine surface mineral compostion in the Earth's arid land dust source regions.High-resolution nadir-scanning SW spectrometer
FCIOperationalMeasurements of cloud cover, cloud top height, precipitation, cloud motion, vegetation, radiation fluxes, convection, air mass analysis, cirrus cloud discrimination, tropopause monitoring, stability monitoring, total ozone and sea surface temperature.n/a
HSI-2 (HJ-2A)OperationalHyperspectral measurements for environment and disaster management operations.n/a
MISROperationalMeasurements of global surface albedo, aerosol and vegetation properties. Also provides multi-angle bidirectional data (1% angle-to-angle accuracy) for cloud cover and reflectances at the surface and aerosol opacities. Global and local modes.n/a
MSOperationalVegetation and land cover, land cover change.n/a
MSU-GSOperationalMeasurements of cloud cover, cloud top height, precipitation, cloud motion, albedo, vegetation, convection, air mass analysis, tropopause monitoring, stability monitoring, total ozone and surface temperature, fire detection.n/a
MSU-GS/VEOperationalOperational metrology, hydrology, climate monitoring and environmental monitoringn/a
MSU-MROperationalParameters of clouds, snow, ice and land cover, vegetation, surface temperature, fire detection.n/a
OLIOperationalMeasures surface radiance, land cover state, and change (e.g., vegetation type). Used as multi-purpose imagery for land applications.n/a
OLI-2OperationalMeasures surface radiance, land cover state, and change (e.g., vegetation type). Used as multi-purpose imagery for land applications.n/a
SEVIRIOperationalMeasurements of cloud cover, cloud top height, precipitation, cloud motion, vegetation, radiation fluxes, convection, air mass analysis, cirrus cloud discrimination, tropopause monitoring, stability monitoring, total ozone and sea surface temperature.n/a
VISSR-2OperationalMeteorological.n/a
MAIAApproved
+/-0.01
Pushbroom spectropolarimetric camera on a 2-axis gimbal for multiangle viewing, frequent revisits over targets, and inflight calibration. Major metropolitan areas are sampled with sub-km spatial resolution to study impacts of different types of particulate matter on human health.n/a
Advanced MSU-MRProposedParameters of clouds, snow, ice and land cover, vegetation, surface temperature, fire detection.n/a
LandISProposedMeasures surface radiance, land cover state and change (e.g., vegetation type), and longwave termal infrared surface emittance. Used as multi-purpose imagery for land applications.n/a