SNF NS001-TMS Canopy Reflectance 1983-84: Data Set Guide Document Summary: The NS001 Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) was flown on the NASA C-130 aircraft over the Superior National Forest study area. The TMS was a scanning radiometer with eight wavelength bands. Band 8 was a thermal band and not processed in this study. The C-130 flew a "crisscross" pattern over the SNF, which provided a variety of sun and view angles. The TMS data were processed to provide reflectance values of study sites. These data are useful in the analysis of the bidirectional reflectance function of forest canopies. TMS data were collected and processed for three days: July 13 and August 6, 1983; and June 28, 1984. Data Processing Several processing steps were required to turn raw TMS data into physically meaningful numbers for the test sites. The TMS scanner sweeps through view angles of plus or minus 50 degrees. This introduces both geometric distortions and varying atmospheric path lengths across the scan line. At extreme scan angles, a pixel covers an area on the ground several times larger than at nadir. At the nominal 5000 foot altitude flown, a nadir pixel covers 3.81 meters along the scan, expanding to 9.22 meters at 50 degrees off nadir. To compensate for this distortion, the data were linearly resampled to a constant pixel size, the same size as the nadir pixel. The scan angle corrected images from different flight lines were then registered to a common image. The registration algorithm used control points to remove distortions locally rather than globally, and was effective in correcting for perturbations introduced by variations in aircraft motion. Sites were located in the imagery using photographs, descriptions of site locations, first hand knowledge and maps. Digital count values for areas four by four pixels, approximately 16 by 16 meters, were extracted from each flight line. Using the calibration data provided for each scan line, these values were converted to radiance values by subtracting the low blackbody radiance count and multiplying by the radiance calibration factor. The TMS radiance values were converted to reflectance using values for insolation, atmospheric transmittance, and path scattered radiance for the appropriate solar and view angles. No measurement of these values were made, so the LOWTRAN6 atmosphere model was used to generate them. Scattering contributions calculated from the path between the canopy and the sensor were subtracted from the sensor detected radiances and divided by the incident flux to generate reflectance factors. Results Corrected canopy reflectance values for three days are included in the data set. The sun and view angles are referenced to the same coordinate system centered on the observation point. Standard spherical polar coordinates, with zero degree azimuth due north, are given. Note that the sensor and the sun are in line when they have the same coordinates. Errors in the determination of these angles are possible due to the lack of precise aircraft position. The sensor zenith angles were determined from the sensor scan angle and should be accurate to within a degree. The sensor azimuth angles were determined from plotting the center points of a nadir view camera on an air photo of the area and connecting them to determine the aircraft heading. Because of the errors in this method, view azimuth accuracy is probably no more than two to three degrees. Solar zenith and azimuth were determined computationally from the time at the beginning of each flight line and should be within a degree. Sites referred to as 0 and 99 in the tables are observations of water. Tables of Contents: 1. Data Set Overview 2. Investigator(s) 3. Theory of Measurements 4. Equipment 5. Data Acquisistion Methods 6. Observations 7. Data Description 8. Data Manipulations 9. Data Organization 10. Errors 11. Notes 12. Application of the Data Set 13. Future Modifications and Plans 14. Software 15. Data Access 16. Output Products and Availability 17. References 18. Glossary of Terms 19. List of Acronyms 20. Document Information 1. Data Set Overview: Data Set Identification: SNF NS001-TMS Canopy Reflectance 1983-84 Data Set Introduction: The NS001 Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) was flown on the NASA C-130 aircraft over the Superior National Forest study area. The TMS was a scanning radiometer with eight wavelength bands. Band 8 was a thermal band and not processed in this study. The C-130 flew a "crisscross" pattern over the SNF, which provided a variety of sun and view angles. The TMS data were processed to provide reflectance values of study sites. These data are useful in the analysis of the bidirectional reflectance function of forest canopies. TMS data were collected and processed for three days: July 13 and August 6, 1983; and June 28, 1984. Data Processing Several processing steps were required to turn raw TMS data into physically meaningful numbers for the test sites. The TMS scanner sweeps through view angles of plus or minus 50 degrees. This introduces both geometric distortions and varying atmospheric path lengths across the scan line. At extreme scan angles, a pixel covers an area on the ground several times larger than at nadir. At the nominal 5000 foot altitude flown, a nadir pixel covers 3.81 meters along the scan, expanding to 9.22 meters at 50 degrees off nadir. To compensate for this distortion, the data were linearly resampled to a constant pixel size, the same size as the nadir pixel. The scan angle corrected images from different flight lines were then registered to a common image. The registration algorithm used control points to remove distortions locally rather than globally, and was effective in correcting for perturbations introduced by variations in aircraft motion. Sites were located in the imagery using photographs, descriptions of site locations, first hand knowledge and maps. Digital count values for areas four by four pixels, approximately 16 by 16 meters, were extracted from each flight line. Using the calibration data provided for each scan line, these values were converted to radiance values by subtracting the low blackbody radiance count and multiplying by the radiance calibration factor. The TMS radiance values were converted to reflectance using values for insolation, atmospheric transmittance, and path scattered radiance for the appropriate solar and view angles. No measurement of these values were made, so the LOWTRAN6 atmosphere model was used to generate them. Scattering contributions calculated from the path between the canopy and the sensor were subtracted from the sensor detected radiances and divided by the incident flux to generate reflectance factors. Objective/Purpose: Summary of Parameters: Radiance, reflectance. Discussion: Corrected canopy reflectance values for three days are included in the data set. The sun and view angles are referenced to the same coordinate system centered on the observation point. Standard spherical polar coordinates, with zero degree azimuth due north, are given. Note that the sensor and the sun are in line when they have the same coordinates. Errors in the determination of these angles are possible due to the lack of precise aircraft position. The sensor zenith angles were determined from the sensor scan angle and should be accurate to within a degree. The sensor azimuth angles were determined from plotting the center points of a nadir view camera on an air photo of the area and connecting them to determine the aircraft heading. Because of the errors in this method, view azimuth accuracy is probably no more than two to three degrees. Solar zenith and azimuth were determined computationally from the time at the beginning of each flight line and should be within a degree. Sites referred to as 0 and 99 in the tables are observations of water. Related Data Sets: 2. Investigator(s): Investigator(s) Name and Title: Dr. Forrest G. Hall NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Dr. K. Fred Huemmrich NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Dr. Donald E. Strebel Versar, Inc. Dr. Scott J. Goetz Universtity of Maryland Ms. Jaime E. Nickeson NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Dr. Kerry D. Woods Bennington College Dr. Celeste Jarvis NASA Headquarters Title of Investigation: Contact Information: Dr. Forrest G. Hall NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Code 923 Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 USA Fax +1 (301) 286-0239 Telephone +1 (301) 286-2974 Email: fghall@ltpmail.gsfc.nasa.gov Requested Form of Acknowledgememt: Please cite the following NASA Technical Memorandum 104568 in any work or any publication using these data: Hall, F.G., K.F. Huemmrich, D.E. Strebel, S.J. Goetz, J.E. Nickeson, and K.D. Woods, July 1992. Biophysical, Morphological, Canopy Optical Property, and Productivity Data From the Superior National Forest. NASA Technical Memorandum 104568. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C. 20546. 3. Theory of Measurements: 4. Equipment: Sensor/Instrument Description: Collection Environment: Aircraft Source/Platform: NASA C-130. Source/Platform Mission Objectives: Key Variables: Principles of Operation: Sensor/Instrument Measurement Geometry: Manufacturer of Sensor/Instrument: 5.2 Calibration: Calibration: Specifications: Tolerance: Frequency of Calibration: Other Calibration Information: 5. Data Acquisition Methods: 6. Observations: Data Notes: Not Available. Field Notes: 7. Data Description: Spatial Characteristics: Spatial Coverage: Spatial Coverage Map: Not Available. Spatial Resolution: Projection: Not Available. Grid Description: Not Available. Temporal Characteristics: Temporal Coverage: Temporal Coverage Map: Not Available. Temporal Resolution: Data Characteristics: **************************************************************************** Variable Name/ Long Name SAS Type Generic Type Description ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 obs_datc OBS_DATE $ 12 DATE "Observation date (DD-MON-YY) (e.g. 01-JAN-90)" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 site_id SITE_ID 8 NUMBER(4,0) "Site ID" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 sol_zen SOLAR_ZEN 8 NUMBER(5,2) "Average solar zenith angle in decimal degrees relative to the observer" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 sol_az SOLAR_AZM 8 NUMBER(5,2) "Average solar azimuth angle in decimal degrees relative to the observer" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 view_zen VIEW_ZEN 8 NUMBER(5,2) "View zenith angle of the instrument in decimal degrees relative to the observer" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 view_az VIEW_AZM 8 NUMBER(5,2) "View azimuth angle of the instrument in decimal degrees, relative to the observer" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 rfl1 REFL1 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Average percent of reflectance in TMS channel 1 (0.458-0.519)" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 std1 SD1 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Standard deviation of reflectance in TMS channel 1" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 rfl2 REFL2 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Average percent of reflectance in TMS channel 2 (0.529-0.603)" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 std2 SD2 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Standard deviation of reflectance in TMS channel 2" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 rfl3 REFL3 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Average percent of reflectance in TMS channel 3 (0.633-0.697)" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 std3 SD3 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Standard deviation of reflectance in TMS channel 3" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 rfl4 REFL4 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Average percent of reflectance in TMS channel 4 (0.767-0.910)" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 std4 SD4 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Standard deviation of reflectance in TMS channel 4" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 rfl5 REFL5 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Average percent of reflectance in TMS channel 5 (1.13-1.35)" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 std5 SD5 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Standard deviation of reflectance in TMS channel 5" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 rfl6 REFL6 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Average percent of reflectance in TMS channel 6 (1.57-1.71)" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 std6 SD6 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Standard deviation of reflectance in TMS channel 6" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 rfl7 REFL7 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Average percent of reflectance in TMS channel 7 (2.10-2.38)" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 std7 SD7 8 NUMBER(4,2) "Standard deviation of reflectance in TMS channel 7" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 flight FLIGHT_LINE 8 NUMBER(2,0) "Flight line as recorded in the flight summary logs" **************************************************************************** Sample Data Record: obs_datc site_id sol_zen sol_az view_zen view_az rfl1 std1 rfl2 std2 rfl3 std3 rfl4 std4 rfl5 std5 rfl6 std6 "13-JUL-83" 2 56.16 94.33 3 90 3.97 0.26 4.47 0.36 2.31 0.28 14.34 1.74 16.95 1.7 4.57 0.45 "13-JUL-83" 2 53.84 97.1 33.7 88 2.54 0.18 3 0.28 1.33 0.2 13.77 1.13 16.61 1.02 4.34 0.29 "13-JUL-83" 2 49.4 102.75 17.71 50 3.91 0.21 4.75 0.41 2.68 0.25 15.04 1.15 18.4 1.33 5.03 0.42 "13-JUL-83" 2 51.53 99.97 20.86 268 6.33 0.36 7.82 0.68 4.7 0.39 21.21 1.75 25.94 1.82 8.21 0.73 "13-JUL-83" 2 44.13 110.37 23.29 320 6.01 0.33 8.42 0.61 5.48 0.4 23.42 2.4 29.13 2.36 10.26 1.01 "13-JUL-83" 2 47.46 105.41 19.57 233 4.71 0.21 6.17 0.35 3.7 0.31 18.14 1.64 22.81 1.54 6.95 0.55 "13-JUL-83" 14 56.16 94.33 1.14 90 3.92 0.22 4.37 0.46 2.33 0.37 13.72 1.7 16.44 1.69 4.46 0.56 "13-JUL-83" 14 53.84 97.1 33.14 88 2.46 0.1 2.9 0.32 1.44 0.17 12.29 1.14 15.61 1.06 4.63 0.26 "13-JUL-83" 14 51.53 99.97 22.28 268 6.39 0.21 8.01 0.35 4.84 0.45 20.76 0.96 25.79 1.14 8.5 0.67 "13-JUL-83" 14 44.13 110.37 25.57 320 6.4 0.14 8.92 0.3 5.83 0.34 24.3 0.87 29.46 1.02 9.74 0.51 "13-JUL-83" 57 56.16 94.33 7.29 90 3.38 0.31 3.88 0.57 1.99 0.28 12.02 1.67 14.82 1.87 4.18 0.71 "13-JUL-83" 57 53.84 97.1 38 88 1.94 0.13 2.62 0.26 1.16 0.16 11.3 0.59 14.6 0.51 4.37 0.32 "13-JUL-83" 57 51.53 99.97 16.29 268 5.92 0.19 7.61 0.56 4.69 0.29 19.71 1.62 25.62 2.06 8.78 0.81 "13-JUL-83" 57 44.13 110.37 3 320 3.69 0.24 5.31 0.56 3.23 0.43 16.78 1.88 21.34 2 6.42 0.81 "06-AUG-83" 0 48.96 113.47 44.89 313.5 2.58 0.08 1.76 0.14 1.27 0 0.52 0 0.46 0.27 0.22 0.16 "06-AUG-83" 0 38.5 135.18 1.69 270 2.48 0.07 1.87 0.13 1.43 0.09 0.32 0 0.5 0.22 0.4 0.12 "06-AUG-83" 0 35.7 144.41 46.52 40.5 1.64 0.09 1.36 0.12 1.04 0.13 0.14 0 0.22 0.22 0.11 0.1 "06-AUG-83" 0 44.38 121.5 17.4 266.5 2.65 0.1 2.03 0.16 1.51 0 0.29 0 0.45 0 0.03 0.16 "06-AUG-83" 0 41.76 126.96 33.57 262.5 2.55 0.15 1.84 0.2 1.39 0.13 0.36 0 0.44 0.24 0.13 0.17 "06-AUG-83" 0 37.03 139.86 7.03 36 2.43 0.1 1.8 0.11 1.35 0.08 0.46 0 0.41 0.22 0.28 0.14 "06-AUG-83" 0 45.82 118.8 1.25 313 3.01 0.13 1.98 0.1 1.24 0.15 0.22 0.16 0.28 0 0.1 0.14 "06-AUG-83" 72 48.96 113.47 37.88 313.5 3.46 0.15 4.56 0.33 2.54 0.17 39.99 1.99 45.44 2.13 11.69 0.52 "06-AUG-83" 72 37.03 139.66 5.08 216 3.92 0.26 5.31 0.45 3.33 0.35 39.61 3.2 48.3 3.58 14.29 1.15 "06-AUG-83" 72 41.76 126.95 33.37 262.5 3.59 0.2 4.59 0.34 2.83 0.25 37.79 2.51 44.14 2.65 12.13 0.72 "06-AUG-83" 72 44.38 121.5 18.08 266.5 4.11 0.17 5.14 0.32 3.14 0.23 39.2 2.73 47.41 3.09 13.21 0.99 "06-AUG-83" 72 35.7 144.41 39.41 40.5 3.81 0.19 5.18 0.25 3.06 0.23 38.48 2.32 47.33 2.37 13.61 0.54 "06-AUG-83" 72 38.5 135.18 0.93 90 4.11 0.23 5.45 0.49 3.27 0.33 39.73 3.33 49.15 3.26 14.93 1.04 "06-AUG-83" 72 45.82 118.8 11.56 133 4.59 0.53 5.74 0.78 3.34 0.59 42.05 4.34 52.31 4.66 15.77 1.3 Footnote: For presentation in this document, some padding blanks may have been eliminated between columns in the Sample Data Record. See the Data Format section for conventions used for missing data values in the data file. 8. Data Organization: Data are sorted by observation date (obs_datc) and study site (site_id). Key fields in each record are obs_datc and site_id. Data Granularity: This data set consists of a single ASCII file containing radiance and reflectance measurements for multiple observation dates and sites in the Superior National Forest. Data Format: The data files associated with this data set consist of numeric and character fields of varying lengths aligned in columns. The first row of each data file contains the 8-character SAS variable name that links to the data format definition file. Character fields are enclosed in double quotes and numeric fields are listed without quotes. Missing data values can be of two varieties: * values that were identified as missing in the original data files Missing numeric values of this type are identified in these data as -999. * those holes that were created as a result of combining files that contained a slightly different variable set. Missing values of this type are identified in these data files as empty double quotes for character fields and a single period, '.' for numeric fields. 9. Data Manipulations: Formulae: Derivation Techniques and Algorithms: Data Processing Sequence: Processing Steps: Several processing steps were required to turn raw TMS data into physically meaningful numbers for the test sites. The TMS scanner sweeps through view angles of plus or minus 50 degrees. This introduces both geometric distortions and varying atmospheric path lengths across the scan line. At extreme scan angles, a pixel covers an area on the ground several times larger than at nadir. At the nominal 5000 foot altitude flown, a nadir pixel covers 3.81 meters along the scan, expanding to 9.22 meters at 50 degrees off nadir. To compensate for this distortion, the data were linearly resampled to a constant pixel size, the same size as the nadir pixel. The scan angle corrected images from different flight lines were then registered to a common image. The registration algorithm used control points to remove distortions locally rather than globally, and was effective in correcting for perturbations introduced by variations in aircraft motion. Sites were located in the imagery using photographs, descriptions of site locations, first hand knowledge and maps. Digital count values for areas four by four pixels, approximately 16 by 16 meters, were extracted from each flight line. Using the calibration data provided for each scan line, these values were converted to radiance values by subtracting the low blackbody radiance count and multiplying by the radiance calibration factor. The TMS radiance values were converted to reflectance using values for insolation, atmospheric transmittance, and path scattered radiance for the appropriate solar and view angles. No measurement of these values were made, so the LOWTRAN6 atmosphere model was used to generate them. Scattering contributions calculated from the path between the canopy and the sensor were subtracted from the sensor detected radiances and divided by the incident flux to generate reflectance factors. Processing Changes: None. Calculations: None available at this revision. Special Corrections/Adjustments: None known at this revision. Calculated Variables: Data Processing by Data Center: The Superior National Forest data was received from the Goddard Space Flight Center in three media: * as data dumps from the original Oracle SNF database maintained by GSFC, transferred electronically from the GSFC system to the ORNL system * as ASCII files that mirrored the tables published in the Tech Memo * as hard copy (Tech Memo) Data from both electronic sources were input into SAS by ORNL DAAC data management staff and compared using computer code developed to process the SNF data. In many cases, the data values from both sources were found to be identical. In some cases, however, differences were identified and the providers of the data were consulted to resolve inconsistencies. Additionally, some variable columns were available in one source, but not the other for various reasons. For example, some calculated variables/columns were provided in the ASCII files (reflecting the Tech Memo tables) that were not stored in the Oracle database for purposes of space conservation. For similar reasons, coded values were used for many of the site and species identifier variables. A separate reference table was provided to link the coded variable with its definition, e.g., the SPECIES_REF file and the SITE_REF file. The database produced by the ORNL DAAC is a hybrid product that is a composite of data and information extracted from all three source media. In data sets where coded variables were included, the code definition variables have been added to improve usability of the data set as a stand-alone product. Therefore the ASCII files that are available through the ORNL DAAC on-line search and order systems are output from a data set that is a product of the essential core of numeric data provided by the data source (GSFC), augmented with additional descriptive information provided by GSFC and reorganized by the ORNL DAAC into a data structure consistent with other similar data sets maintained by the ORNL DAAC. Data Center Processing Steps: Graphs and Plots: None available at this revision. 10. Errors: Sources of Error: Quality Assessment: Data Validation by Source: Confidence Level/Accuracy Judgement: Measurement Error for Parameters: Additional Quality Assessments: Data Verification by Data Center: 11: Notes: Limitations of the Data: Not Available. Known Problems with the Data: None known at this revision. Usage Guidance: Any Other Relevant Information about the Study: None. 12. Application of the Data Set: 13. Future Modifications and Plans: None known at this revision. 14. Software: 15. Data Access: ORNL DAAC User Services P.O. Box 2008 Mail Stop 6407 Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6407 USA Telephone: 423-241-3952 FAX: 423-574-4665 Email: ornldaac@ornl.gov Data Center Identification: EOSDIS Distributed Active Archive Center P.O. Box 2008 Mail Stop 6407 Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6407 USA Telephone: 423-241-3952 FAX: 423-574-4665 Email: ornldaac@ornl.gov Procedures for Obtaining Data: Users may place requests by letter, telephone, electronic mail, FAX, or personal visit. Data is also available via the World Wide Web at http://www-eosdis.ornl.gov Data Center Status/Plans: The Superior National Forest Data is available from the ORNL DAAC. Please contact the ORNL DAAC User Services Office for the most current information about these data. 16. Output Products and Availability: 17. References: Satellite/Instrument/Data Processing Documentation: Journal Articles and Study Reports: Archive/DBMS Usage Documentation: Contact the EOS Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee (see the Data Center Identification Section). Documentation about using the archive and/or online access to the data is not available at this revision. 18. Glossary of Terms: A general glossary for the DAAC is located at http://www-eosdis.ornl.gov/glossary.html 19. List of Acronyms: TMS Thematic Mapper Simulator 20. Document Information: October 17, 1996 Document Review Date: Document ID: ORNL-SNF_NS001 Citation: Document Author: Merilyn J. Gentry mjg@walden.rmt.utk.edu Document URL: http://www-eosdis.ornl.gov ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ORNL DAAC User Services Office: 423-241-3952; email ornldaac@ornl.gov Web Document Curator: Sarah Jennings, xqj@ornl.gov Document Editor: Donna Lambert Revision Date: URL: http://www-eosdis.ornl.gov