RETRIEVAL OF VISIBILITY OVER LAND USING TWO DIMENSIONAL SPATIAL FREQUENCY ANALYSIS OF HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGER DATA

1 We propose to develop and test a prototype algorithm to quantitiatively measure visibility over high albado surface such as land. The computer code will be based on the technique of analyzing the two dimesional spatial frequency power spactrum obtained from subregions of high resolution visible imagery data. To incure computational efficiency, spatial power spectra will be evaluated employing standard fast fourier transform (FFT) techniques. The technical feasibility of the algorithm will be tested and evaluated using DMSP OLS LF data improved to the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL) Interactive Meteorology System (AIMS) which is an effective test bed for tactical terminal imagery manipulation. Validation will be ovtained by selecting data sets for which concurretn satellite imagery and convertional surface observations are available. A technology transition plan will also be developed to demonstrate interfacing the visibility algorithm with exising real time nephanalysis (RTNEPH) functions and those assoicated with future tactical nephanalysis (TACNEPH) and other aerosol product (e.g. TESS) programs.