1. INSTRUMENTATION

1.1 Instrumentation

Task Leader

David Parkin, COSSA/EOC
david.parkin@cossa.csiro.au

Objectives

• Pursue calibration of equipment owned and operated within the EOC crew
• Add further information to the Instrument Task web pages. Continue to promote the Instrument Task through the web pages.
• Develop a calibration light source.
• Weather station. The weather station will be calibrated against controlled temperature and humidity sub standards. A procedure manual will be written. A pressure sensor will be reviewed and if a suitable unit found will be purchased and added to the weather station suite of instruments.
• Upgrade software for YES shadow band radiometer.
• Complete the "Radiation Travelling Standards Handwork"
• Organise several mini workshop and calibration exercises, process and present the results

Milestones

Dec 2000	New lamp for calibration. Lamp needed to calibrate the new spectral devices with band widths 300 to 2500nm
Ongoing	Suitable lab and field materials to be sourced to allow easy calibration checks in the lab and field. Review LiCor 1800 light source.
Ongoing	Mini calibration or other field exercises/demonstrations, eg: weather station irradiance demonstration of radiosonde demonstration long wave standards
Ongoing	Web pages will be ongoing throughout the year.

2. CALIBRATION & VALIDATION

2.1 Satellite Altimeter Validation & Data Management

Task Leader

John Church, Marine
john.church@marine.csiro.au

Objectives

Satellite verification

• Estimate the magnitude of any long-term drift in the TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter bias by maintaining a long-term Southern Hemisphere altimeter calibration site and quantitatively comparing satellite altimeter data with in situ data.

Data Management

• Maintain an up-to-date and easily accessible archive of data from all satellite altimeter missions with the latest available corrections applied to these data sets.

Milestones

• Maintain an up-to-date database of the TOPEX/POSEIDON processed data sets. All new TOPEX/POSEIDON GDRs updates to be included within three weeks of receipt.
• Insert the ERS-1 and –2 SLA data sets on the altimeter database and make these generally available.
  The ERS data sets to be generally available by June 1999.
• Maintenance of the existing instrumentation at the Burnie validation site. Plots of the verification data to be completed quarterly.
• Combine all of the available insitu data with the new Geophysical Data Records to determine new estimates of the temporal bias drift and complete a manuscript reporting these results. Manuscript and Poster on the Burnie Verification to be completed by December 1998.
• Install a GPS receiver at the Burnie validation site to measure datum stability. Receiver to be operating by December 1999.
• Begin analysis of the validity of the isostatic response of the ocean (as used in standard altimeter corrections procedures) using OCCAM model output. Several analysis steps to be undertaken by June 1999.

2.2 Sea Surface Temperature Validation

Task Leader

Ian Barton, Marine
ian.barton@marine.csiro.au

Objectives

• develop techniques for the precise validation of SST as determined from data provided by environmental satellites;
• develop a long term SST validation data set for assessing the accuracy of SST as measured by several instruments including AVHRR, ATSR-2, AATSR, MODIS and GLI;
• the validation data set will provide much information relating to the energy balance at the ocean surface and the relation between bulk and skin SST to develop physical models relating these two different measurements of SST. When this phenomena is better understood it will assist with SST validation, provide more accurate satellite-derived SST data sets and enable more realistic assimilation of data into numerical models.

Milestones

• Perth and Townsville systems are fully operational and validation data sets consisting of both satellite and ship data should be partly developed before the end of 1998.
• Task personnel to participate in Franklin voyage during March 1999.
• MODIS likely to be launched during second quarter of 1999.

2.3 Tasman-Coral Seas Mass & Heat Transport/Satellite Altimeter-SST & Ocean

Task Leader

Ian Barton, Marine
ian.barton@marine.csiro.au

Objectives

• contribute to the development of an operational marine monitoring and nowcast system (Oceans-EEZ) for Australian waters, which also forms part of the Global Ocean Observing System;
• improve our understanding and modelling of EEZ using satellite data;
• assess our ability to monitor ocean fronts and quantify heat transport using in-situ and satellite data;
• provide a benchmark calibration data set using a variety of ocean sensors.

Milestones

• The Franklin voyage will take place in March 1999. During the following six months the component Tasks will analyse the data collected, but the joint activity will continue throughout the year following the voyage.

2.4 Validation of Remotely Sensed Thermal Infrared Data & Surface Temperature Algorithm Development

Task Leader

Fred Prata, Atmospheric Research
fred.prata@dar.csiro.au

Objectives

• develop reliable and accurate algorithms for correcting remotely sensed thermal radiances for the effects of the atmosphere and the surface;
• develop methods to validate land surface temperatures (LSTs) at space and time scales that are appropriate to satellite-borne and airborne thermal imaging devices (e.g. ATSR-2, AVHRR-2 7 3, MODIS, ASTER, GLI, Landsat TM, Daedalus);
• participate in international satellite programs related to thermal remote sensing of the earth and promote these activities within Australia;
• promote thermal remote sensing products for a variety of applications. This will include a dedicated Web access link;
• develop standards and methods for assessing the reliability of thermal remote sensing products;
• deliver accurate and validated LST algorithms for use with AVHRR-2/3, ATSR-2/AATSR and MODIS/ASTER instruments for incorporation into the CAPS software package.

Milestones

1/8/98	Equipment successfully tested at Thangoo
20/10/98	Equipment installed at Thangoo
1/11/98	Site operational
1/10/98	Processing software completed
1/9/98	1st Report submitted to EOC
31/12/98	Quality control procedures completed
20/10/98	1st site visit
Unknown	Field campaign during EOS fly-by
15/12/98	2nd site visit
15/01/99	2nd report
25/1/99	Task review
29/1/99	Data product delivery
3/3/99	3rd site visit
Jun-Jul 99	Field campaign during EOS fly-by
1/7/99	3rd report
11/8/99	4th site visit
13/9/99	Task review
6/12/99	5th site visit
31/12/99	Final report and completion

3. MEASUREMENT MODELS & ALGORITHMS

3.1 Hi-Resolution Scene Brightness and BRDF

Task Leader/s

David Jupp, COSSA/EOC
david.jupp@cossa.csiro.au

Peter Hick, Exploration & Mining
peter.hick@dem.csiro.au

Norm Campbell, Mathematical & Information Sciences
norm.campbell@cmis.csiro.au

Vanessa Chewings, Wildlife & Ecology
v.chewings@cazr.dwe.csiro.au

Objectives

1. Develop software for accurate registration/rectification of frames, such that fitted models are constrained and corresponding pixels in areas of scene overlap have the same geo-location.
2. Compare the relative merits of all available kernel approaches on a range of data and land surface typologies, and enhance the methodology to include the constraints that the differences between brightness-corrected reflectances, in areas of scene overlap, are minimised.
3. Evaluate the referencing correlative technique for specific applications, especially for airborne hyperspectral line-scanned data, and enhance the methodology to include the constraints that differences between birghtness-corrected reflectances in areas of scene overlap are minimised; and
4. Integrate the kernel and referencing approaches to BRDF correction in order to improve the level of understanding of the effects of bi-directional reflectance.

Milestones

June 1999	Evaluate photogrammetric and image processing tool-kits for their suitability for different data types (including Virtuozo and tesselation techniques)
June 1999 – 20% complete	Evaluate the use of auto-correlation software for the automated/semi-automated selection of ground control points
Unknown at this stage	Produce prototype software for accurate registration/rectification of frames
Unknown at this stage	Establish a practical current approach to BRDF modelling and scene brightness correction, including determining whether a "typology" of kernels exists.
Unknown at this stage	Develop prototype software for fitting kernel, empirical and semi-empirical BRDF functions (forward mapping) and correcting scenes using the fitted models (inverse mapping)
June 1999 – 30% complete	Enhance the referencing method to include the constraint that differences between brightness-corrected reflectances in areas of scene overlap are minimised
June 1999	Model and extract brightness surfaces for terrestrial mixtures and over water surfaces (sun-glinted) for a range of data types
June 1999	Test surfaces developed where the reference bands are not overlapping with the spectral band that is to be corrected
June 1999	Examine the effect of disparities in the time of acquisition between the high-resolution and reference images
June 1999	Investigate how well kernel models can be used to describe the BRDF effects calculated using the referencing method
Unknown at this stage	Compare results of the kernel approach and referencing method for specific data sets

3.2 Optical Properties of Australian Continental Aerosol

Task Leader

Ross Mitchell, Atmospheric Research
ross.mitchell@dar.csiro.au

Objectives

• provision of aerosol data sets from Tinga Tingana (TT) and Lake Argyle (LA)
• impact of polarisation dta on satellite aerosol retrieval
• retrieval of single scattering albedo
• relation between aerosol loading and surface wind

Milestones

July 98	Project commencement
September 98	Deployment of sun-photometer and nephelometer at Tinga Tingana and Darwin
March 99	Relocate sun-photometer from Darwin to Lake Argyle
June 99	Complete test of validation of atmospheric correction code
December 99	Analysis of sensitivity of radiances to aerosol properties complete
June 2000	Project completion

3.3 BRDF of typical Australian land cover types

Task Leader

Ian Grant, Atmospheric Research
ian.grant@dar.csiro.au

Objectives

• determine whether there is a simple but effective classification of BRDF according to landcover for the Australian continent
• develop algorithms to normalise AVHRR reflectances to standard viewing and illumination geometry, to test the algorithms with validation data from the CIGSN sites and (resources and computing infrastructure permitting) to extend the results to the Australian continent
• provide regional models of surface albedo to climate modellers.

Milestones

July 98	Project commencement
June 99	Algorithm for BRDF correction of AVHRR with initial validation complete (1a,2)
Sept 99	Algorithm for surface albedo, with initial validation, complete (1b,2)
Sept 99	Investigation of BRDF typology complete (3)
Dec 99	Validation flights completed (4)
Mar 2000	Flight analysis complete
June 2000	Production of albedo maps complete

3.4 Ocean Colour Algorithm Development & Validation

Task Leader

John Parslow, Marine
john.parslow@marine.csiro.au

Objectives

• collect a set of optical and phytoplankton ground truth which will provide calibration and validation data for ocean colour satellites (OCTS, SeaWiFS, MODIS and MERIS) in Australia’s EEZ and ocean regions of interest
• use this data set to quantitatively assess the errors in standard ocean colour products from OCTS, SeaWiFS, MODIS and MERIS in Australian CASE1 and CASE2 waters
• collect a database of optical properties to support ocean colour algorithm development for coastal waters
• through a combination of modelling and data analysis, develop, improve and test ocean colour algorithms for offshore and coastal waters
• carry out a pilot study of the potential for hyperspectral sensors to monitor coral reef degradation and recovery in coastal waters

Milestones

Jan 99	Complete design of coral reef field campaign, recruit post-doc
Dec 99	Final report for coral reef pilot study. Design field program for MERIS. Provide assessment of SeaWiFS and MODIS performance in CASE1 waters. Scientific publication of ocean colour field data in Australian waters
Jul 2000	Report on CASE2/coastal waters hyperspectral/MERIS algorithm development and initial testing. Provide annual progress report
Dec 2000	Final report. Evaluation of CASE2/coastal ocean colour algorithms for Australian waters

4. PROCESSING STREAM

4.1 Common Algorithm Processing System (CAPS)

Task Leader

Harvey Davies, Atmospheric Research
harvey.davies@dar.csiro.au

Objectives

• provide software to process AVHRR data to common agreed standard for calibrated quantities of radiance, reflectance and brightness temperature and to geolocate the image pixels to an agreed standard of accuracy

Milestones

Sep 1998	Review initial period of "settling in" phase
Dec 1998	Review bulk of "settling in" phase
Feb 1999	Annual Review. Decide whether to continue to Phase 2 and if so what this should involve
May 1999	Review progress on Phase 2

4.2 Operational AVHRR Processing Modules: Atmospheric Correction, Cloud Masking & BRDF Compensation

Task Leader

Mac Dilley, Atmospheric Research
mac.dilley@dar.csiro.au

Denis O’Brien, Atmospheric Research
denis.obrien@dar.csiro.au

Objectives

• maintenance and upgrading of the CalWatch data base
• automatic cloud masking, with thresholds set according to location and season
• correction of reflectances for atmospheric scattering and absorption using analysed meteorological fields for water vapour and either observed or climatological estimates of aerosol
• correction of AVHRR to standard illumination and observation geometry using BRDF models determined as part of a separate EOC task.

Milestones

Mar 99	Delivery of atmospheric correction module and documentation
Apr 99	Delivery of cloud masking module and documentation
Sep 99	Delivery of BRDF module and documentation

4.3 Product Presentation, Quality & Standards

Task Leader

Dean Graetz, COSSA/EOC
dean.graetz@eoc.csiro.au

Objectives

• Generate a time series of land surface variables derived from the AVHRR archive.
• Demonstrate the systematic and progressive removal of non-surface contributions from the AVHRR archive.
• Validate the selection of CSIRO Best Practice Algorithms.
• Interact with the CAPS (Task 4.1) developments

Milestones

Oct 1999	On delivery of the AVHRR archive stitched to continent spanning orbits, produce the calibrated level 1 archive (afternoon pass only) for N14 (1995 – 1999).
Dec 1999	N12, N14, N15 data available in calibrated and navigated form (1995 – 1999)
June 2000	The HRPT archive, 4 passes/day, 1991 – 1999 in calibrated and navigated form

5. DATA MANAGEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

5.1 Database and Access Tools for Environmental Time-Series Data

Task Leader

Edward King, COSSA/EOC
edward.king@eoc.csiro.au

Objectives

• develop, demonstrate & evaluate best practice in the operational archiving & utilisation of environmental time series data:
• development of tools for data management and access
• demonstration of tools to produce higher level datasets
• supply products to collaborative partners to
• assist in further development
• test and refine features/functions "in the field"
• make products and standardised algorithms more accessible within CSIRO and the broader remote sensing community
• assess needs of other CSIRO earth observation researchers in respect of data management services and systems.

Milestones

08/97 & ongoing	Maintain CILS, IMS and IDN directory servers at EOC
08/98	Establish AVHRR Tbus navigation archive at EOC
09/98	Complete implementation and testing of HRPT quality assessment and orbit stitching software
01/99	Design relational database to catalogue EOC AVHRR and Landsat holdings
01/99	Complete reorganisation of EOC computing to support stitching and 1km project
04/99	Implement and populate with initial metadata the database for EOC holdings
04/99 & ongoing	Supply Australian AVHRR data to USGS for 1km contract
01/99 & ongoing	Copy Aspendale AVHRR archive for incorporation into stitched archive (4 years of 7 complete)
07/99	Commence regular operation of orbit stitching project
TBD ASAP	Develop ASDA header creation to permit export of stitched data to collaborative partners Develop web interface for access to stitched archive Move CILS/IDN/IMS to new server

5.3 Communications

Task Leader

David Parkin, COSSA/EOC
david.parkin@cossa.csiro.au

Objective

Disseminate and communicate the science, activities and achievements of the EOC.

Milestones

• July 1998 Produce display material for 9^th Australasian Remote Sensing Photogrammetry Conference. The information to include:
• posters on COSS/EOC and the Crew activities
• handout sheets for various projects and Tasks COSSA and the Crew are involved
• design folder to hold information
• Launch new COSSA/EOC web site
• Produce publications as required but to include:
• JSTC Soil Moisture and Drought Monitoring Using Remote Sensing
• Proceedings of the Land AVHRR Workshop
• The Terrestrial Carbon Pools of the Australian Continent
• Revamp ACIAR/CSIRO Project web page. COSSA hosts an ACIAR/CSIRO project web page
• Update Conference Calendar on a regular basis
• Discuss COSSA/EOC communication requirements with CMIS Communicator. (CMIS hosts COSSA/EOC)

6. NEW TECHNOLOGIES

6.1 Hyperspectral

Task Leader

David Jupp, COSSA/EOC
david.jupp@cossa.csiro.au

Alex Held, Land & Water
alex.held@cbr.clw.csiro.au

Jon Huntington, Exploration & Mining
jon.huntington@dem.csiro.au

Objectives

1. Work with other EOC Task areas to develop solutions to generic research issues associated with hyperspectral instrument calibration, data reduction including geometric modelling and normalisation for atmospheric and BRDF effects plus general field instrument deployment and use (part of the Hyperspectral Thread Activity).
2. Work with other EOC Tasks to develop an effective Field Spectroscopy Program (FSP) to establish standardised measurement protocols, a base of instruments and help train EOC members to ensure high quality calibration and validation activity for missions.
3. Carry out a set of field/airborne campaigns over selected sites to generate a high quality base of hyperspectral data for research in EOC and Australia. The data are to include effective site and ancillary information combined with the hyperspectral data in raw and processed formats and documented to provide a sound base for innovative R&D.
4. Develop a HS spectral library for a wide range of uses and evaluation of Spectral Library methods and their effectiveness in environmental unmixing.
5. Use the base of EOC hyperspectral data to establish and develop algorithms for a specified range of specific applications, which reflect the investment in sites and field campaigns. These will be from among geological, tropical and temperate vegetation, coastal and estuarine waters and rangelands applications.
6. Seek external and international collaboration in the EOC site activities as well as collaboration in hyperspectral missions in Australia as well as coming satellite opportunities such as Hyperion, ARIES and NEMO.

Milestones

Year 1

1. Document opportunities for hyperspectral data from airborne and spaceborne platforms.
2. In conjunction with the Instrumentation Task, document available field instrumentation for hyperspectral missions and initiate a plan for equipment purchase & upgrade.
3. Review and select EOC sites for airborne data missions.
4. Establish web information base of sites and site ancillary data.
5. Purchase instruments.
6. Initiate first phase of planned NVIR-SWIR Hyperspectral missions.
7. Evaluate quality of airborne and field data.
8. Initiate cross comparisons of atmospheric correction techniques.
9. Evaluate information content of data.
10. Develop field data protocols and standards based on the experience.

    Year 2

11. Initiate cross-comparisons of geometric and BRDF techniques.
12. Circulate first set of CDs with corrected airborne data and processed field data.
13. Bid for NASA NRAs for Hyperion and NEMO.
14. Define and initiate studies into information extraction based on the site data.
15. Establish an integrated bid for an ARIES ADP project.
16. Plan and execute airborne mission phase (VNIR-SWIR and TIR? - scanning and profiling systems?).
17. Process airborne and field data, upgrade protocols and standards of processing.

    Year 3

18. Evaluate effectiveness of field spectral data collection as inputs to an EOC spectral library.
19. Publish second set of CDs and established protocols plus possible upgrade of first CD set.
20. Publish comparisons of geometric, atmospheric and BRDF normalisation methods and information extraction methods.
21. Publish protocols, background studies and intercomparisons.
22. Carry out a third airborne mission to enrich multi-temporal hyperspectral data studies.
23. Publish documents, data and papers arising out of the algorithm studies.

6.2 Vegetation Structure and Imaging System

Task Leader

David Jupp, COSSA/EOC
david.jupp@cossa.csiro.au

David Parkin, COSSA/EOC
david.parkin@cossa.csiro.au

Objective

Through EOC and Divisional collaboration undertake significant research, development and also transfer of commercial capacity in the area of Lidar profiling and sounding of vegetation canopies.

Milestones

CAR Trials
July 1999	Develop system for collecting data
August 1999	Collect field data using the CAR LIDAR
October 1999	Process data and report
Market Surveys
November 1999	Define market surveys, collect data and report
System Modelling
October 1999	Document model and provide software with validation
Echidna Field Prototype
September 1999	Assemble team
October 1999	Design
December 1999	Build
Feb-June 2000	Test
from February 2000	Report
Safety Issues for Echidna
November 1999	Develop safety issue documentation & Plan