An algorithm for the radiometric and atmospheric correction of AVHRR data in the solar reflective channels

Abstract

Radiometric and atmospheric corrections are formulated with a view to computing vegetation indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from surface reflectances rather than the digital signal levels recorded at the sensor. In particular, look-up table (LUT) results from an atmospheric radiative transfer code are used to save time and avoid the complexities of running and maintaining such a code in a production environment. The data flow for radiometric image correction is very similar to commonly used geometric correction data flows. The role of terrain elevation in the atmospheric correction process is discussed and the effect of topography on NDVI is highlighted.