This course is part of a series of training sponsored by the IEEE GRSS as part of the Geoscience Imaging Spectroscopy Technical Committee’s Calibration And Validation Initiative in support spaceborne imaging spectroscopy missions. This training will focus on the practical aspects of reflectance-based imaging spectroscopy error budget and will demonstrate the complete chain of the process from the laboratory to the field.
The course will start with attendees participating in a tour of the Remote Sensing Group laboratory facilities at the University of Arizona before a field deployment to the Railroad Valley Playa test site in Nevada, USA which has been used on a long term basis as a vicarious calibration site. The training activity will include demonstration of measurement protocols for surface and atmospheric parameters that minimize uncertainties and, weather permitting, collection of data as part of the reflectance-based calibration for an on-orbit sensor. An emphasis will be placed on techniques and protocols suitable for calibration of imaging spectrometers.
The deployment will include half a day at the UofA laboratory calibration facilities and three days at the test sites. The first day at the test site consists of demonstrations of typical data collections. Participants will take part in setting up field references and collecting surface reflectance of a select area of the playa. A reflectance inter-comparison collection will take place at the site on day two along with a side trip to the Lunar Lake Playa for a discussion of the merits and impacts that different sites have on uncertainties. The third day will have participants collecting data suitable for the reflectance-based calibration of an on-orbit sensor.
The main tutors/guides for this course are Dr Jeff Czapla-Myers (University of Arizona) and Dr Kurtis Thome (NASA Goddard).
Please register your interest in attending the field practicum with Dr Cindy Ong (cindy.ong@csiro.au) or Dr Kurt Thome (kurtis.thome@nasa.gov). Please provide a biography/CV of yourself and the reasons why you believe you would be a good candidate for this course, noting that a criteria for the course is that participants have previous experience and/or formal training in optical remote sensing especially in imaging spectroscopy. Additionally, preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate experience in calibration and validation of imaging spectroscopy sensors, particularly those who are currently working on spaceborne imaging spectroscopy teams.
Costs
IEEE GRSS will sponsor transport (between Fort Worth, Texas and Las Vegas, Nevada) and accommodation for the duration of the course for a limited number of participants.
Logistics
The trip will start from Fort Worth, Texas, immediately following the end of IGARSS and will end at Las Vegas, Nevada. The Railroad Valley and Lunar Lake Playas are in south-central Nevada approximately 90 minutes by car from the town of Ely, Nevada and 5 hours north of Las Vegas.
Occupational health and safety The average day time high temperatures at the site in late July are 30+ºC and can exceed 40 ºC. There is minimal shade at the site and no toilet facilities.
We recommend a minimum personal protection of long sleeves collared shirts, long pants, wide brim hats, covered shoes, sun glasses and high SPF sun screen. Water will be provided but consider having personal water bottles.
July 28 – travel from Ft. Worth to Tucson
July 29 – UofA Laboratory Tour
July 30 – Drive to Ely, NV
July 31 – Test site data collection
Aug. 1– Test site data collection
Aug. 2 – Test site data collection and Travel to Las Vegas
Aug. 3 – Participants return home from Las Vegas
