Advanced Topics

(iv) Hyperspectral Remote

Sensing

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Objectives
2

Introduction
Importance of Hyperspectral Remote

Sensing
Multispectral Vs Hyperspectral Images
Applications

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Introduction
3

Imaging spectrometry, imaging spectroscopy

hyperspectral (too many, excessive): 100s of bands

Ultraspectral: 1000s of bands

The reflected or emitted radiation is measured at a

fine enough
materials

Remote Sensing: M9L4

spectral

resolution

to

identify

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Introduction
4

Hyperspectral remote sensing allows a sensor on a moving

platform to gather emitted radiation from the Earths surface.
This special detector system records hundreds of spectral
bands

of

relatively

narrow

bandwidths

(5-10

nm)

simultaneously. With such detail, the ability to detect and

identify unique trends in land and atmospheric data sets is
greatly improved

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Importance of a Hyperspectral
Imaging Satellite
5
Hyperspectral Sensor
Allows for far more specific analysis of land cover
The emissivity levels of each band can be combined to form a
spectral reflectance curve

Additionally, this sensor would also cover all of the useful

spectral bands

Visible imagery, vegetation, chlorophyll, sediments

Near Infrared - atmospheric properties, cloud cover, vegetation
land cover transformation
Thermal Infrared Sea surface temperature, forest fires,
volcanoes, cloud height, total ozone

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing

6

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing

7

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Multispectral vs. hyperspectral

Remote sensing (RS)
8

MultiSpectral RS

HyperSpectral RS

Separated spectral bands

Does not have any

Wider bandwidths
Coarse representation of

the spectral signature

Unable to discern small
differences between
reflectance spectra
Smaller data volumes
Fewer problems with
calibration

Remote Sensing: M9L4

spectral gaps
Narrow bandwidths
(10nm)
Complete representation
of the spectral signature
Capable to detect subtle
spectral features
Largeer data volumes
Radiometric and spectral
calibration are timeconsuming

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Multispectral Vs Hyperspectral
9

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Visualization of Hyperspectral
Data
10

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Concept of Imaging
Spectrometer
11

Spectra of two materials

With very different
Reflectance and
Absorption properties,
When sensed with a wide
Band will have the same
Response and cannot
Be identified
The continuous spectrum
Of each spatial element
Is analyzed using
Hyperspectral sensor or
Imaging spectrometer

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Hyperspectral Image Analysis

12

Hyperspectral image analysis techniques are derived using the field of

spectroscopy which relate the molecular composition of a particular

material with respect to the corresponding absorption and reflection
pattern of light at individual wavelengths.

Spectral information of known material can be collected in laboratory

settings and stored as libraries. Different methods can be employed to

compare the reference spectra with the obtained spectral reflectance.

Another approach is spectrum ratioing which is dividing every

reflectance value in the reference spectrum by the respective value of

the image spectrum.

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Applications of Hyperspectral
Imagery
13

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Currently operational
Hyperspectral Sensors
14

AVIRIS
224 bands 0.4-2.5m, flies on ER-2 or low-altitude Twin
Otter
EO-1
Technology demonstration mission, includes Hyperion
instrument
220 bands 0.4-2.5m, 7.5x100km swath

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Hyperion: Imaging Spectrometer

15

On-board NASA EO-1 satellite (demonstrating new

sensor technologies)
Pushbroom sensor at 705 km altitude (7.6 km swath
width)
Near-polar orbit (98o inclination)
Flying in formation w/Landsat 7 (1 minute apart)
spectral range 0.43 - 2.4 m, 10 nm bandwidths
220 spectral bands
30m spatial resolution
12-bit quantization

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Hyperion
16

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Bibliography
17
1. Chandrasekhar, S (1950), Radiative Transfer. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 393 pp.
2. John R. Jensen, 1996, Introductory Digital Image Processing, Prentice Hall
3. Lillesand T. M. & Kiefer R. W., 2000. Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation, 4th ed. Wiley & Sons.
4. Paul. MK. Mather, 2004, Computer Processing of Remotely- Sensed Images, Wiley & Sons.
5. Volchok, B. A. and M. M. Chernyak (1969), Transfer of microwave radiation in clouds and precipitation.
Transfer of Microwave Radiation in the Atmosphere, NASA TT F-590, 90-97.
6. Wilheit, T. T., Chang, A. T. C., Rao, M. S. V., Rodgers, E. B. and Theon, J. S (1977), A satellite technique
for quantitatively mapping rainfall rates over the oceans., J. Appl. Meteorol., 16, 551-560.

Remote Sensing: M9L4

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc

Thank You

Remote Sensing: M9L4

18

D. Nagesh Kumar, IISc