Vicarious calibration of GLI by ground observation data

Abstract

We conducted vicarious calibration of the Global Imager (GLI) in visible to near-infrared channels over different targets. For calibration over the ocean, we used the normalized water-leaving radiance derived from the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) and the aerosol optical properties (aerosol optical depth, size distribution, and refractive index) obtained through the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). For calibration over land, we used the ground-based measurement data at Railroad Valley Playa. The following GLI characteristics are recognized from the calibration results. First, GLI underestimates the radiance in channels 1, 2, 4, and 5. Next, in the near-infrared channels, there is good agreement between the observed and simulated radiance over bright targets. On the other hand, it is suggested that the GLI overestimates the radiance over dark targets (e.g., on the order of 15% at 4.0 W/m/sup 2///spl mu/m/sr in channels 18 and 19). Furthermore, we evaluated these calibration results over different targets taking into account the difference in the target radiance and in the accuracy between the two results. This combined evaluation of vicarious calibration results suggests the possibility that the GLI-observed radiance has offset radiance versus the simulated radiance.