Lunar Spectral Irradiance and Radiance (LUSI): New Instrumentation to Characterize the Moon as a Space-Based...

Area of Science:

• Earth Science
• Astrophysics
• Radiometry

Background:

• Stringent radiometric accuracy requirements for climate monitoring exceed current space-based instrument capabilities.
• On-orbit calibrators and monitors for Earth-orbiting instruments are susceptible to changes from launch and space environments.
• Accurate calibration is crucial for understanding and monitoring climate change using satellite data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a new model for climate-quality absolute calibration of Earth-observing instruments using the Moon as a reference.
• To measure absolute lunar spectral irradiance with low absolute uncertainties (0.5%, k=1) from 320 nm to 2500 nm.
• To acquire absolute lunar radiance measurements for calibrating high spatial resolution sensors.

Main Methods:

• Proposing an Earth-based instrument suite to measure lunar spectral irradiance and radiance.
• Deploying instruments at high-elevation observatories and on high-altitude balloons to minimize atmospheric effects.
• Ensuring traceability to the International System of Units (SI) through periodic calibrations with NIST instrumentation.

Main Results:

• The proposed instrument suite aims to achieve 0.5% absolute uncertainty (k=1) in lunar spectral irradiance measurements.
• Measurements will cover the spectral range from 320 nm to 2500 nm with approximately 0.3% spectral resolution.
• This approach will provide a stable, reliable method for absolute calibration of space-based sensors.

Conclusions:

• The Moon can serve as a reliable calibration reference for space-based remote sensing instruments.
• The proposed Earth-based measurement system will enable climate-quality absolute calibration of Earth-observing instruments.
• This work will enhance the accuracy and reliability of climate change monitoring from space.