MAPTIP--Marine Aerosol Properties and Thermal Imager Performance: summary and initial results

Alexander M. J. van Eijk; Gerrit de Leeuw; Douglas R. Jensen

doi:10.1117/12.211177

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6 June 1995 MAPTIP--Marine Aerosol Properties and Thermal Imager Performance: summary and initial results

Alexander M. J. van Eijk, Gerrit de Leeuw, Douglas R. Jensen

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Proceedings Volume 2426, 9th Meeting on Optical Engineering in Israel; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.211177
Event: Optical Engineering in Israel: 9th Meeting, 1994, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Abstract

The marine aerosol properties and thermal imager performance trial (MAPTIP) was conducted by NATO AC/243 Panel 04/RSG.8 and 04/RSG.5 in the Dutch coastal waters during the fall of 1993. The main objectives of the trial were (1) to assess marine boundary layer effects on thermal imaging systems and (2) to improve and validate vertical marine aerosol models with emphasis on coastal and near-surface effects. Aerosol and meteorological instruments, as well as thermal imagers and calibrated targets, were utilized on two off-shore platforms, a beach station, three airborne platforms, and buoy systems. This network of instrumentation has provided a comprehensive data base of aerosol size distribution profiles and relevant meteorological variables throughout the marine atmospheric boundary layer. Atmospheric turbulence and refractivity effects in the IR and rf bands were measured to assess the marine boundary layer effects on the degradation of thermal images. Thermal imagery in both the 3 - 5 and 8 - 12 micrometers bands was included to provide ground truth for assessing the low-level propagation effects near the ocean surface. Calibrated targets at different altitudes were observed to the maximum observable range under a wide variety of conditions. These data are to be used for the development and validation of IRST models and IR ship signature models, and for determining the effects of marine-generated aerosols, turbulence, and meteorological profiles on their performance.

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Alexander M. J. van Eijk, Gerrit de Leeuw, and Douglas R. Jensen "MAPTIP--Marine Aerosol Properties and Thermal Imager Performance: summary and initial results", Proc. SPIE 2426, 9th Meeting on Optical Engineering in Israel, (6 June 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.211177

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