Algorithm for atmospheric correction of remote sensing VNIR data

274-284A simple atmospheric correction method which requires inputs that are commonly available in the form of dark surfaces in blue and red region bands has been described. The method consists of an inversion algorithm based on a simplified radiative transfer model in which the characteristics of atmospheric aerosols are estimated by the use of path radiance in blue and red bands. On the basis of this information, the retrieval of true digital number (DN) values from satellite images is possible. The method can be applied to all scenes in which some dark object can be realistically supposed to be present which is practically advantageous in retrospective studies. The comparison of the values of aerosol optical thickness estimated from this method with the ground measured values showed a substantial agreement in the accuracy of the values, suggesting the possible use of the method for practical applications