Cross-Calibration between ASTER and MODIS Visible to Near-Infrared Bands for Improvement of ASTER Radiometric...

Area of Science:

• Remote Sensing
• Earth Observation
• Radiometric Calibration

Background:

• Cross-calibration between ASTER and MODIS partially informs ASTER's radiometric calibration coefficient (RCC) curve.
• Existing methods lack accuracy due to unmitigated spectral and spatial response differences between sensors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate radiometric consistency between ASTER and MODIS using an improved cross-calibration algorithm.
• To derive more accurate cross-calibration-based RCCs for enhanced ASTER calibration.

Main Methods:

• Developed an improved cross-calibration algorithm addressing spectral and spatial response differences.
• Analyzed radiometric consistency by comparing ASTER and MODIS radiance measurements.
• Evaluated uncertainty using an error budget table for SI-traceability.

Main Results:

• ASTER bands 1 and 2 show higher radiances (3.9%, 3.6%) than MODIS; band 3N is slightly lower (0.6%).
• Percentage root mean squared errors (%RMSEs) for bands 1, 2, and 3N were 3.7%, 4.2%, and 2.3%, respectively.
• Results indicate potential for reduced errors and improved ASTER calibration accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The improved algorithm enhances ASTER calibration accuracy.
• Derived RCCs will reduce errors in ASTER radiometric calibration.
• Improved accuracy and interoperability facilitate synergistic applications using ASTER and MODIS data.