Gemma Helicopter Data: Visible/NIR Spectra from FIFE

During the 1989 FIFE Intensive Field Campaign, a Russian Gemma spectroradiometer collected visible and near infrared spectra from a helicopter over multiple study sites. The data provides an intermediate scale of sampling between surface measurements and higher altitude aircraft and spacecraft imaging. Measurements were designed to characterize FIFE sites and allow comparison with SE-590 and Modular Multiband Radiometer (MMR) instruments.

Use Cases

• Calibrating airborne and satellite sensors based on portable calibration light sphere measurements.
• Comparing spectral response between different spectroradiometer models (Gemma vs. SE-590 vs. MMR).
• Characterizing surface reflectance properties at an intermediate spatial scale between ground and aircraft observations.
• Providing spatial coverage for the FIFE study area from a helicopter platform.

Strengths

• Data collected during a well-documented, major field campaign (FIFE 1989 Intensive Field Campaign).
• Includes laboratory calibration measurements for a portable calibration light sphere.
• Designed for direct comparison with two other established radiometer systems.

Limitations

• Column names and data structure are unknown, limiting immediate usability.
• Conflicting metadata: one platform lists a 2026 update date, while another lists 1989, casting doubt on data currency.
• No explicit row count, file size, or sample size information is provided.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected via helicopter-mounted Gemma spectroradiometer during field campaigns.

Time Range

1989

Freshness

Last updated dates conflict: 2026-04-10 (datagov) vs. 1989-08-12 (nasa_earthdata).

Geography

FIFE (First ISLSCP Field Experiment) study sites.