Oregon Transect Ecosystem Research Project

Sunphotometers are passive optical sensors that measure the amount of sunlight. They are pointed directly at the sun to measure direct sunlight and not sunlight scatter from aerosols. These measurements can be used to determine the aerosol optical depth by following Beer’s Law. Sunphotometers have been deployed on aircraft, research vessels, and field sites for aerosol research and monitoring.

The Advanced Solid-state Array Spectroradiometer (ASAS) is an airborne, passive multi-angle spectrometer operated by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). ASAS measures reflectance across 30 spectral channels within the 450 to 880 nm wavelength range to help characterize the directional variability of various land surface cover types. At typical flight altitudes of 4,500 to 5,000 meters, ASAS has a spatial resolution of 3 to 4 meters at nadir. It has a frame rate ranging from 3 to 64 frames per second.

Digital cameras are used to provide imagery for research applications. Cameras are used on aircraft to collect aerial imagery for mapping and surveying, environmental monitoring, cloud observations, agriculture, geological studies, and other Earth science applications. They are also used at field sites to capture visual observations to monitor changes in land cover, vegetation, clouds, air quality, glaciers, and other phenomena.

The Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) is an airborne imaging spectrometer designed to simulate the Landsat Thematic Mapper. It captures radiance measurements and imagery for mapping vegetation and land cover. TMS operates across ten spectral channels in the visible and near-infrared spectrum (0.42-2.35 μm) and two in the thermal infrared range (8.5-14 μm). It has a horizontal spatial resolution of 25 m and a swath width of 15.6 km at an altitude of 19.8 km. TMS has a scan rate of 12.5 scans per second and a total field of view of 42.5 degrees.

The Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) is an airborne thermal infrared spectrometer used for geologic mapping. It captures multispectral thermal images across six channels within the 8.2-12.2 μm wavelength range. TIMS has a horizontal spatial resolution at nadir of 3 to 20 meters when flying at altitudes between 1,200 and 8,000 meters. It operates at four distinct scan rates: 7.3, 8.7, 12, and 25 scans per second.

The Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) was an airborne P-, L-, and C-band radar system developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It could penetrate clouds and operate at night to measure radar backscatter. It could also penetrate forest canopies, dry snow cover, and sand in two of its imaging modes. AIRSAR operated on three frequencies: 0.45 GHz, 1.26 GHz, and 5.31 GHz. It had a horizontal resolution of 10 meters and a swath width of about 10 to 15 kilometers at an altitude of 8,000 meters. AIRSAR is now retired, with its last mission taking place in 2004.

The Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (CASI) is an airborne push-broom imaging spectrometer developed by Itres Research Ltd. CASI measures reflectance in the visible/near-infrared (VNIR) spectral region, which can be used to derive vegetation characteristics. It operates in the 430-870 nm spectral range and has a 35-degree field of view (FOV). CASI has a cross-track ground resolution of 1.23 meters at 1 km altitude above ground level (AGL). The along-track resolution depends on the integration time and the aircraft speed. CASI has a frame rate of 85 lines per second.

The Fluorescence Line Imager (FLI) is an airborne passive imaging spectrometer developed for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada. It uses five charge-coupled device (CCD) array detectors to capture imagery across the visible and near-infrared spectrum (430-805 nm) over land and water. It has a spectral resolution of 2.5 nm and a spatial resolution of about 2 meters. FLI is typically employed to map chlorophyll, phytoplankton, leaf area index, and tree density.

The Spectron Engineering-590 (SE-590) Spectroradiometer is a portable spectroradiometer manufactured by Spectron Engineering. It can be used on both airborne and ground-based platforms. SE-590 uses a charge-coupled device (CCD) area array detector to measure reflectance. It operates across the visible to short-wave infrared spectral range (350-2500 nm). The SE-590 has a ground resolution of 4.5 meters when flown at an altitude of 300 meters.

The Modular Multiband Radiometer (MMR) is an airborne multispectral radiometer manufactured by Barnes Engineering Company. MMR measures radiance across 8 spectral bands in the infrared and visible wavelengths (0.4-12.5 μm) to produce images of vegetation and other surface features. At an altitude of 300 meters, the MMR has an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of about 79 meters and a 15-degree field of view (FOV). It is typically deployed on small aircraft like helicopters but can also be used on ground-based platforms.

Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.

The Spectron Engineering-590 (SE-590) Spectroradiometer is a portable spectroradiometer manufactured by Spectron Engineering. It can be used on both airborne and ground-based platforms. SE-590 uses a charge-coupled device (CCD) area array detector to measure reflectance. It operates across the visible to short-wave infrared spectral range (350-2500 nm). The SE-590 has a ground resolution of 4.5 meters when flown at an altitude of 300 meters.

The Modular Multiband Radiometer (MMR) is an airborne multispectral radiometer manufactured by Barnes Engineering Company. MMR measures radiance across 8 spectral bands in the infrared and visible wavelengths (0.4-12.5 μm) to produce images of vegetation and other surface features. At an altitude of 300 meters, the MMR has an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of about 79 meters and a 15-degree field of view (FOV). It is typically deployed on small aircraft like helicopters but can also be used on ground-based platforms.

The Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) is an airborne thermal infrared spectrometer used for geologic mapping. It captures multispectral thermal images across six channels within the 8.2-12.2 μm wavelength range. TIMS has a horizontal spatial resolution at nadir of 3 to 20 meters when flying at altitudes between 1,200 and 8,000 meters. It operates at four distinct scan rates: 7.3, 8.7, 12, and 25 scans per second.

Digital cameras are used to provide imagery for research applications. Cameras are used on aircraft to collect aerial imagery for mapping and surveying, environmental monitoring, cloud observations, agriculture, geological studies, and other Earth science applications. They are also used at field sites to capture visual observations to monitor changes in land cover, vegetation, clouds, air quality, glaciers, and other phenomena.

The Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) is an airborne imaging spectrometer designed to simulate the Landsat Thematic Mapper. It captures radiance measurements and imagery for mapping vegetation and land cover. TMS operates across ten spectral channels in the visible and near-infrared spectrum (0.42-2.35 μm) and two in the thermal infrared range (8.5-14 μm). It has a horizontal spatial resolution of 25 m and a swath width of 15.6 km at an altitude of 19.8 km. TMS has a scan rate of 12.5 scans per second and a total field of view of 42.5 degrees.

The Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer - Classic (AVIRIS-C) is a passive imaging spectrometer developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It collects visible and infrared images across 224 spectral channels in the 380 to 2510 nm range. It has a horizontal resolution of 20 m and a swath width of 12 km at an altitude of 20 km. It operates at a scan rate of 12 Hz. AVIRIS-C has been replaced by AVIRIS-Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG), but it still remains in use.

The Modular Multiband Radiometer (MMR) is an airborne multispectral radiometer manufactured by Barnes Engineering Company. MMR measures radiance across 8 spectral bands in the infrared and visible wavelengths (0.4-12.5 μm) to produce images of vegetation and other surface features. At an altitude of 300 meters, the MMR has an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of about 79 meters and a 15-degree field of view (FOV). It is typically deployed on small aircraft like helicopters but can also be used on ground-based platforms.

The LI-COR Plant Canopy Analyzer is an in situ analyzer manufactured by LI-COR for leaf area index (LAI) measurements. It measures diffuse sky radiation that passes through the canopy across five zenith angels to determine LAI and other canopy characteristics. It can be used for most sky conditions and canopy types, such as row crops, grasslands, isolated trees, and forests. The optical sensor within the Plant Canopy Analyzer has a wavelength range of 320-490 nm. It has a field of view of 148 degrees and an operating temperature range of -20 to 50 degrees Celsius.

The Spectron Engineering-590 (SE-590) Spectroradiometer is a portable spectroradiometer manufactured by Spectron Engineering. It can be used on both airborne and ground-based platforms. SE-590 uses a charge-coupled device (CCD) area array detector to measure reflectance. It operates across the visible to short-wave infrared spectral range (350-2500 nm). The SE-590 has a ground resolution of 4.5 meters when flown at an altitude of 300 meters.

Ceptometers are ground-based radiation sensors used to measure photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in plant canopies. Ceptometers make PAR measurements above and below the canopy to calculate the leaf area index (LAI). Ceptometers are used for vegetation and agriculture research into plant growth, canopy structure, light interception, and other canopy characteristics.

Sunphotometers are passive optical sensors that measure the amount of sunlight. They are pointed directly at the sun to measure direct sunlight and not sunlight scatter from aerosols. These measurements can be used to determine the aerosol optical depth by following Beer’s Law. Sunphotometers have been deployed on aircraft, research vessels, and field sites for aerosol research and monitoring.

Digital cameras are used to provide imagery for research applications. Cameras are used on aircraft to collect aerial imagery for mapping and surveying, environmental monitoring, cloud observations, agriculture, geological studies, and other Earth science applications. They are also used at field sites to capture visual observations to monitor changes in land cover, vegetation, clouds, air quality, glaciers, and other phenomena.

This data will be added in future versions

Rain gauges are ground-based instruments that measure liquid precipitation amounts directly over a specified period. Different rain gauges, such as tipping buckets and weighing gauges, collect and record data in various ways. Because of their small size and easy setup, rain gauges can be placed in different locations and are often used alongside other precipitation instruments like disdrometers to gather more details, such as precipitation rate and size distribution.

This data will be added in future versions

Spectrophotometers are passive photometers that measure the light intensity of the sample solution as a function of the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation. Spectrophotometers are typically used for ground-based or shipborne observations. They can operate either in the ultraviolet to visible (185-700 nm) spectral range or the infrared (700-15000 nm) range. They are typically used in vegetation studies, air pollution monitoring, and water and soil quality analysis.

Generic-Atmospheric State (Gen-AtmsState) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for measurements of atmospheric state parameters. These are typically in situ sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed/direction. Types of atmospheric state instruments include thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers.

The Modular Multiband Radiometer (MMR) is an airborne multispectral radiometer manufactured by Barnes Engineering Company. MMR measures radiance across 8 spectral bands in the infrared and visible wavelengths (0.4-12.5 μm) to produce images of vegetation and other surface features. At an altitude of 300 meters, the MMR has an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of about 79 meters and a 15-degree field of view (FOV). It is typically deployed on small aircraft like helicopters but can also be used on ground-based platforms.

The LI-COR Plant Canopy Analyzer is an in situ analyzer manufactured by LI-COR for leaf area index (LAI) measurements. It measures diffuse sky radiation that passes through the canopy across five zenith angels to determine LAI and other canopy characteristics. It can be used for most sky conditions and canopy types, such as row crops, grasslands, isolated trees, and forests. The optical sensor within the Plant Canopy Analyzer has a wavelength range of 320-490 nm. It has a field of view of 148 degrees and an operating temperature range of -20 to 50 degrees Celsius.

The Spectron Engineering-590 (SE-590) Spectroradiometer is a portable spectroradiometer manufactured by Spectron Engineering. It can be used on both airborne and ground-based platforms. SE-590 uses a charge-coupled device (CCD) area array detector to measure reflectance. It operates across the visible to short-wave infrared spectral range (350-2500 nm). The SE-590 has a ground resolution of 4.5 meters when flown at an altitude of 300 meters.

Ceptometers are ground-based radiation sensors used to measure photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in plant canopies. Ceptometers make PAR measurements above and below the canopy to calculate the leaf area index (LAI). Ceptometers are used for vegetation and agriculture research into plant growth, canopy structure, light interception, and other canopy characteristics.

Sunphotometers are passive optical sensors that measure the amount of sunlight. They are pointed directly at the sun to measure direct sunlight and not sunlight scatter from aerosols. These measurements can be used to determine the aerosol optical depth by following Beer’s Law. Sunphotometers have been deployed on aircraft, research vessels, and field sites for aerosol research and monitoring.

Digital cameras are used to provide imagery for research applications. Cameras are used on aircraft to collect aerial imagery for mapping and surveying, environmental monitoring, cloud observations, agriculture, geological studies, and other Earth science applications. They are also used at field sites to capture visual observations to monitor changes in land cover, vegetation, clouds, air quality, glaciers, and other phenomena.

This data will be added in future versions

Rain gauges are ground-based instruments that measure liquid precipitation amounts directly over a specified period. Different rain gauges, such as tipping buckets and weighing gauges, collect and record data in various ways. Because of their small size and easy setup, rain gauges can be placed in different locations and are often used alongside other precipitation instruments like disdrometers to gather more details, such as precipitation rate and size distribution.

This data will be added in future versions

The Spectron Engineering-590 (SE-590) Spectroradiometer is a portable spectroradiometer manufactured by Spectron Engineering. It can be used on both airborne and ground-based platforms. SE-590 uses a charge-coupled device (CCD) area array detector to measure reflectance. It operates across the visible to short-wave infrared spectral range (350-2500 nm). The SE-590 has a ground resolution of 4.5 meters when flown at an altitude of 300 meters.

Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.