BOREAS MAS: Airborne Surface Reflectance and Temperature Images

MAS images provide biophysical parameter maps, including surface reflectance and temperature, for primary study areas in the BOREAS project. The data were collected during four days in July and August 1994 from an aircraft-mounted sensor. Images are not geometrically corrected but include derived relative X and Y coordinates for each pixel.

Use Cases

• Mapping surface temperature distribution across boreal study areas based on thermal infrared data.
• Analyzing surface reflectance for vegetation studies based on spectral band information.
• Comparing airborne remote sensing data with ground-based point measurements as described in the program's focus.
• Spatially extending biophysical parameter results using the provided relative coordinate files.

Strengths

• Data originates from a major scientific campaign (BOREAS) conducted by NASA.
• Covers four specific acquisition dates in 1994, providing a precise temporal snapshot.
• Includes derived geospatial coordinates (relative X and Y) for image pixels.

Limitations

• Conflicting last-updated dates between platforms (1994 vs. 2026), suggesting metadata inconsistency.
• Data is not geographically or geometrically corrected, limiting direct geospatial analysis.
• Column names and dataset size are unknown, reducing discoverability of specific data attributes.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected via the MAS (MODIS Airborne Simulator) instrument mounted on a C-130 aircraft during the BOREAS Staff Science Aircraft Data Acquisition Program.

Time Range

1994-07-21 to 1994-08-08

Freshness

2026-03-13 07:27:07.024895

Geography

Primary BOREAS study areas (boreal ecosystem regions), specific locations not detailed.