Companion Publications Describe AVHRR Capabilities
Two companion papers describe a calibration of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer's (AVHRR) visible and NIR channels - a data record which stretches from the present back to 1978 - covering four versions of the instrument flown on 15 separate satellites:
- Andrew K. Heidinger; William C. Straka III; Christine C. Molling; Jerry T. Sullivan; Xiangqian Wu: 2010. Deriving an inter-sensor consistent calibration for the AVHRR solar reflectance data record. International Journal of Remote Sensing, Volume 31 Issue 24, 6493 - 6517
- Christine C. Molling; Andrew K. Heidinger; William C. Straka III; Xiangqian Wu: 2010. Calibrations for AVHRR channels 1 and 2: review and path towards consensus.
International Journal of Remote Sensing, Volume 31 Issue 24, 6519 - 6540
Heidinger et al. present a calibration in which AVHRR reflectances from channels 1 and 2 from differing polar-orbiting satellites are radiometrically tied to each other and to MODIS. Calibration values are provided for all AVHRRS from TIROS-N through Metop-A and NOAA-19. This is the first time these channels on all AVHRRs have been calibrated in a single consistent way.
Molling et al. examine the challenges related to calibrating AVHRR visible and NIR channels and lists a group of data sources and techniques that the calibration community is urged to use. Heidinger et al. 2010 is mentioned as a calibration that uses these sources and techniques. Molling et al. argue that if the techniques are used, resulting calibrations will agree with each other well enough to be considered in consensus, and will therefore allow AVHRR channels 1 and 2 to be used for long term climate studies.
