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models are stored in the radiance file in the
inter-extrapolation subsystem. To make this file we computed
the theoretical radiances for many combinations of
wavelengths, flight altitudes, view angles, solar elevation
angles, ground albedos and atmospheric models. Although
considerable amount of computer time is required for such
computations, it is well worth doing. Once the radiance file
is made, then the intensity is computed very fast for any
wavelength, flight altitude , solar elevetion angle and the
optical thickness value with an aid of inter-extrapolation
program.
In the correction subsystem we assume that the
undelying surface is characterized by an albedo for the
target A t and a mean background albedo A of the area whose
horizontal scale is about 300m. From Eqs.(1) and (2), the
reflected upward normal intensity above a target site is
given by Eq.(3 ) •
I t =A t (SÂ+T)+(P-S)Â 2 +(Q-T)Â+R (3).
From Eqs.(1) and (3) we can find a ground albedo value for a
pixel in the Landsat images in the following.
(4),
At=(I obs -(P " S)A2_(Q_T)A " R)/(SA + T)
(5),
where I 0 bs is the observed intensity for a target and I
is the observed average intensity around a target. TheSe
two quantities are computed from the observed CCT level with
known gain and offset values of the Landsat MSS. A ground
albedo data set is, thus, obtained by applying the above
procedure to each pixel and every band. Since wavelength,
flight altitude, and solar elevation angle are known
quantities, the AECS is a system which converts a observed
Landsat data set (given in a relative scale) into a ground
albedo data set in a absolute unit if the optical thickness
of the haze at the time of obsevation is provided.
ESTIMATION OF OPTICAL THICKNESS OF HAZE
In order to use the AECS effectively we need to know the
value of the optical thickness of the haze at the time of
observation. The value of the optical thickness x can be
found by using the relationship between the theoretical CCT
level and the ground albedo. In Figure 3 we show such
theoretical mean CCT level curves as a function of mean
ground albedo for several different values of x. Curves in
Figure 3 are valid only in the case of solar elevation angle
58"and band 4 of Landsat II. For given values of solar
elevation angle, the optical thickness , and the mean ground
albedo A, the mean theoretical intensity is given by Eq.(1).
The theoretical mean CCT level X is given by