Visible and Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Abstract

Visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy using reflected sunlight is an ideal tool for remote detection of many compounds. Surfaces can be measured in the field at close range (mm), or from a distance with aircraft or spacecraft. The technology works throughout the Solar System. Advancements have recently been made in sensor calibration and atmospheric correction, enabling faster and more accurate calibration to surface reflectance (or apparent surface reflectance). Parallel to these advancements have been advancements in radiative transfer models, including a better understanding of the scattering effects of submicrometer particles and the ability to model those effects. There has also been progress in spectral analysis, including methods to rapidly analyze imaging spectrometer data to identify and map hundreds of compounds. Finally, with the advancements in computer technology, both in compute speed and in storage, analysis of very large imaging spectrometer data sets is now feasible in a relatively short time. With some additional development, imaging spectroscopy could be used in real time or near real time applications, including exploration of resources to autonomous robots such as spacecraft rovers searching for resources or life on remote planets and satellites.