Vicarious calibration of a high-view angle sensor using in-situ automated ground-viewing radiometers

The Remote Sensing Group (RSG) at the University of Arizona performs vicarious radiometric calibration of various airborne and space borne sensors. Test site characterization parameters are typically collected by RSG personnel present at the site. Previous work has described and implemented a method for an autonomous collection at the test site without RSG personnel present.;This dissertation extends methodology and instrumentation used in an autonomous retrieval of test site characterization parameters for use with a high-view angle geostationary sensor to compute multiple calibration data points in a single day. Atmospheric sensitivity studies are performed determining the effect of large off-nadir view angles typical of the GOES-11 geometry. Instrumentation and collection methodology are modified for the standard and the ground viewing radiometer (GVR)-based reflectance collection of the test site. Multiple GOES-11 radiometric calibration data points in a single day are determined using the modified GVR and compared to typical manned collect with modified instrumentation and methodology.