Remote and In Situ Temperature Measurements of Land and Water Surfaces

Abstract

The accurate interpretation of satellite radiation measurements in the window channels has been limited by a lack of knowledge of true surface temperatures and emissivities and the parameters limiting the transfer of this radiation through the atmosphere. Measurements of surface temperatures of grassland, desert and water using hand-held and airborne radiometers are found to compare favorably with miniature thermistors placed flush with the earth surface. Measurements with airborne radiometers over relatively long path lengths indicate that the presence of atmospheric haze is a serious limitation to remote sensing of surface temperatures.