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Spectral Characteristics Viewer
The Spectral Characteristics Viewer allows users to evaluate satellite sensor bands that may be best suited for application research related to the available targets.
Overlay up to two sensor RSRs and six target spectra for analysis.
Compute the response [sensor(s) sampling the target(s)] of up to two sensor RSRs sampling up to six target spectra.
The viewer includes sensor and target spectral information in the following ranges: VSWIR (0.38 to 2.51 μm), TIR (2.51 to 14.0 μm), and VSWIR+TIR (0.38 to 14.0 μm).
The USGS EROS EROS CalVal Center of Excellence (ECCOE) project continues to update and improve this viewer. Atmospheric profiles will be added soon. Recent improvements include enhanced display controls, adding sensors and target spectra.
How to use the Spectral Characteristics Viewer (Click to expand/close)
Select the sensors to compare their spectral characteristics:
Select the "Sensors/Targets/Atmospheres" button and choose up to two sensors listed on the "Sensor RSR" tab.
Close the box to view the bands of the selected sensors on the graph. You can move around and zoom in on the graph to see more details.
Select the target spectra to compare their spectral characteristics:
Select the "Sensors/Targets/Atmospheres" button and choose up to six targets total from the choices listed on the two "Target Spectra" tabs.
Close the box to view the selected spectra details on the graph. You can move around and zoom in on the graph to see more details.
Select an atmosphere:
Select the "Sensors/Targets/Atmospheres" button and choose one atmosphere in the "Atmospheres" tab.
Close the box to view the selected atmosphere details on the graph. You can move around and zoom in on the graph to see more details.
View the calculated reflectance (response calculations):
When sensors and target spectra or when sensors, target spectra, and an atmosphere are selected as described in steps 1,2, and 3 above, the response values are displayed in a table below the graph.
Click the "Response Plot (click to expand/close)" link to open a plot displaying the selected sensor responses in comparison to the target spectra selections.
Two views available via radio buttons:
Spectral Display - Displays a graphical depiction of selected spectral details as a line chart.
Spectral Values - Displays the precise X(Wavelength) and Y(Reflectance) values of data as a scatter plot.
Note:
Only two sensor RSRs may be selected concurrently.
Only six target spectra may be selected concurrently. The six target spectra selections may be from either target library.
Only one atmosphere may be selected concurrently.
Response computations will be zero where target spectra content is not available.
If you are experiencing any issues with the Spectral Characteristics Viewer, please clear your browser cache/history and try again.
is the sensor relative spectral response. is the target spectra.
is the atmospheric spectra
Note: Where sensor RSR and target spectra content are available, the response values will be computed and displayed. If target spectral content is limited to the VSWIR or the TIR regions, then response values where target spectra do not exist will be zero.
Band Name
Spectral Bandwidth (µm)
Response
Band Name
Spectral Bandwidth (µm)
Response
Response Plot (click to expand/close)
The plot(s) below are grouped by target with the selected sensor(s). The plot(s) includes the target selection(s) with the response values from the table above plotted at the center of the sensor bands.
Spectral characteristics results may be captured using system and web browser print functions, or a screen capture tool.
Sensor RSRs (Click to expand/close)
The RSRs for the following satellites are currently available:
is the sensor relative spectral response.
is the target spectra.
is the atmospheric spectra