Modtran radiance modeling of multi-angle worldview-2 imagery

Abstract

The WorldView-2 satellite, launched in 2010 by DigitalGlobe, provides researchers with the ability to collect high resolution, multi-angle, 8-band multispectral imagery. This offers a unique opportunity to investigate the reflectance propertiesincluding the bidirectional reflectance distribution functionof surfaces detected from a space-based remote sensing platform. Eight images were collected over Rio de Janeiro on January 19, 2010, at approximately 1000 local time. Solar geometry during the collect remained constant while sensor geometry ranged from approximately 10 degrees off-nadir to 60 degrees off-nadir, fore and aft. To enhance understanding and provide comparison data with the multi-angle imagery data, radiance models were generated using the Moderate Resolution Atmospheric Transfer code. General models, using surface albedos ranging from 1% to 100%, and comparison models, using properties as close as possible to that found in the imagery, were built. Using data derived from all sources, variations were readily apparent that could be attributed to the multi-angle geometry of the collect, the wavelength of the light sensed and reflectance