Overview Of Imaging Through The Atmosphere

N. S. Kopeika

doi:10.1117/12.975617

24 August 1988 Overview Of Imaging Through The Atmosphere

N. S. Kopeika

Proceedings Volume 0928, Modeling of the Atmosphere; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.975617
Event: 1988 Technical Symposium on Optics, Electro-Optics, and Sensors, 1988, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Turbulence, atmospheric background, and aerosol forward scattering modulation transfer functions 0M Fs) are analyzed. For diagonal or vertical imaging turbulence is seen to limit image quality only at very high spatial frequencies, where degradation is likely to take place anyway as a result of vibration and diffraction. Background and aerosol MTFs limit law spatial frequency contrast as well. For long-range horizontal lines-of-sight near ground level, both turbulence and forward scattering by aerosols severely limit image quality. Numerical examples are presented. These limitations can be overcome somewhat by proper selection of the imaging wavelength and of operation timing. This analysis can aid in sensor selection for system design from the standpoints of both wavelength selection and sensor resolution. Because this analysis includes the effects of weather changes on image propagation through the atmosphere, and a model for predicting image quality as a function of weather forecast, it also can aid in selecting operation timing on the basis of weather forecasts, with a view toward optimizing expected resolution.

Citation Download Citation

N. S. Kopeika "Overview Of Imaging Through The Atmosphere", Proc. SPIE 0928, Modeling of the Atmosphere, (24 August 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.975617

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