Accuracy assessment of geometric correction with Terra ASTER

Abstract

ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) is an imaging instrument that is flying on Terra, a satellite launched in December 1999 as part of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) . ASTER is a cooperative effort between NASA and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Earth Remote Sensing Data Analysis Center (ERSDAC) . ASTER data is distributed by HDF-EOS format, which has a very complicated data structure. It result in the difficulties of handling the data. However, that includes latitude and longitude values of footprints every 6km owing to the precise orbit tracing system with the star tracker. Precise geometric correction is one of the most difficult and indispensable process in remote sensing data. In this study, firstly, a free software is developed to achieve map projection conversion from UTM to plate carriee coordinate with ASTER data in HDF-EOS format. Secondly, map projection conversion is applied to sixteen scenes of ASTER data over Japan Island. Thirdly, accuracy of system geometric correction is evaluated with the castal lines and administrative boundary lines in vector format by visual interpretation. As a result, the root mean square geometric error is 79.2m in North West direction.