Abstract: In one example of a method for remote identifying a non-Lambertian target material, a spectral signature for a target is determined from each of at least two different sets of imagery acquired at different angles, and compared to a predicted signature for a candidate material for each of the at least two different angles. The predicted signatures take into account the known anisotropy of reflectance, and thus also radiance, of the candidate material.

Abstract: In one example of a method for remote identifying a non-Lambertian target material, a spectral signature for a target is determined from each of at least two different sets of imagery acquired at different angles, and compared to a predicted signature for a candidate material for each of the at least two different angles. The predicted signatures take into account the known anisotropy of reflectance, and thus also radiance, of the candidate material.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus estimate background reflectance, aerosol type and visibility within a multispectral imagery using the measured spectral radiance of one or more calibration targets of known reflectance and the measured radiance of the background of the target. The computer implemented method and apparatus uses predefined aerosol types, characterized by a plurality of known parameters, and the known reflectance of the one or more calibration targets, to select an aerosol that best matches the measured radiances.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus estimate background reflectance, aerosol type and visibility within a multispectral imagery using the measured spectral radiance of one or more calibration targets of known reflectance and the measured radiance of the background of the target. The computer implemented method and apparatus uses predefined aerosol types, characterized by a plurality of known parameters, and the known reflectance of the one or more calibration targets, to select an aerosol that best matches the measured radiances.

Abstract: A method for estimating the error statistic for retrieved temperature and emissivity of a surface material includes determining the second order analytical error propagation from a measured radiance that differs from the true radiance by additive gaussian noise, which is independent in each band. The radiance error is translated into a diagonal covariance matrix and an analytical estimate results in a determination of the standard deviation and bias of surface temperature. Further, the method for estimating the error statistic utilizes Monte Carlo simulation from a sufficiently large ensemble of radiance spectra for the retrieved surface temperature and emissivity. Temperature and emissivity of the surface material were retrieved using ISSTES algorithm.

Abstract: A method of estimating both atmospheric conditions and surface temperatures of an object from either a single set of multispectral images or multiple simultaneously-acquired single-band images of the object. Estimates of atmospheric conditions are generated by determining and radiometrically correcting radiance values measured from the image of the object. Expected radiance values are then determined and compared with the measured radiance values. The best fit of the radiance values measured from the image of the object to the expected radiance values corresponds to the best estimate of the atmospheric conditions associated with the object. The present method estimates atmospheric conditions for the object regardless of the availability of atmospheric conditions associated with the image.

Abstract: A method of estimating both atmospheric conditions and surface temperatures of an object from either a single set of multispectral images or multiple simultaneously-acquired single-band images of the object. Estimates of atmospheric conditions are generated by determining and radiometrically correcting radiance values measured from the image of the object. Expected radiance values are then determined and compared with the measured radiance values. The best fit of the radiance values measured from the image of the object to the expected radiance values corresponds to the best estimate of the atmospheric conditions associated with the object. The present method estimates atmospheric conditions for the object regardless of the availability of atmospheric conditions associated with the image.