Chapter 8 — Question 4

Why is the selection of the appropriate standard atmosphere for a RTM critical?

Answer

Standard atmospheres are used when no information on the real state of the at-
mosphere for the image under consideration is available or, most of the times,
to adapt or built and test radiometric correction algorithms in different environ-
ments. The standard atmospheres have associated atmospheric constituents that
relate to specific sites on Earth. The use of a given atmospheric composition in
other areas will produce absorption and scattering processes incompatible with
the real conditions. An extreme example would be the use of a desert atmosp-
here in the tropics.

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