ABSTRACT
Atmospheric Interactions Because hyperspectral data is collected some distance above the target on the ground, the reflected solar illumination must travel through the atmosphere. Characteristics of the atmosphere can have a profound effect on the incoming solar energy recorded by the hyperspectral sensor. The way light interacts with the atmosphere depends on many factors: the types of particulates and gases, the amount of atmospheric reflection, atmospheric absorption, and atmospheric scattering. The atmosphere is a complex mixture of particulates and gases. Particulates are small particles usually less than 20 μm in diameter. Particulates greater than 20 μm are not likely to stay in the atmosphere for long durations and tend to settle to the ground rather quickly.
