Band Wavelength Primary
(micrometer) Application
---- ------------ ------------------------------------------------
1 0.45 - 0.52 Water bodies, land use, soil, and vegetation
analyses.
2 0.52 - 0.62 Green reflectance of healthy vegetation.
3 0.63 - 0.69 Vegetation discrimination, soil and geological
boundary delineations.
4 0.75 - 0.88 Amount of vegetation biomass, crop identification,
emphasizes soil-crop and land-water contrasts.
5 1.15 - 1.30 Crop drought and plant vigor investigations,
hydrologic discrimination between clouds,
snow, and ice.
6 1.50 - 1.85 Crop drought and plant vigor investigations,
hydrologic discrimination between clouds,
snow, and ice.
7 2.08 - 2.35 Discrimination of geologic rock formations, and
zones of hydrothermal alteration in rocks.
The Barnes Modular Multiband Radiometer (MMR) was designed to acquire
multispectral radiance data over the visible, near infrared, middle infrared
and thermal regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. It produces analog
voltage responses to scene radiance in 8 spectral bands. Voltages from
thermistors attached to the instrument chopper and detectors are recorded to
provide a means of compensating for thermal effects on sensor response and for
calculation of target surface temperatures. The 8 bands are approximately
0.45 '-' 0.52,0.52 0.60, 0.63-0.69, 0.76-0.90, 1.15-1.30, 1.55-1.75, 2.08-2.35,
10.4-12.5 um. Bands 1-4 have silicon detectors and bands 5-7 have lead
sulfide detectors. The MMR's dimensions are 26.4 cm by 20.5 cm by 22.2 cm and
the device weighs 6.4 kg. The MMR is battery powered. Data logging was via a
microprocessor-based Omnidata Polycorder where analog to digital conversions
take place.
The NASA Bell UH-1B helicopter optical remote sensing system supported a data acquisition system consisting of a bore-sighted MMR; a color video camera; and two 35 mm flight research cameras loaded with color film (one with a 1 inch focal length and the other with a 6 inch focal length). Controller units for all the optical devices are rack-mounted inside the helicopter and are wired such that a single switch closure triggers all devices. The switch closure also activates an audible tone which is recorded on one of the two audio tracks of a Beta-format video recording system. The other audio track of the VCR was used to record cabin intercom conversations among the helicopter crew. If one desires to examine site conditions in greater detail, the higher resolution 35 mm still photography can be reviewed.