Atmospheric influence on image quality of airborne photographs

Abstract

The image quality of airborne photographs is influenced by the atmosphere. Several factors affect the atmosphere, such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed. Furthermore, these atmospheric influences are dependent on the flight altitude. The MTF of the atmospheric influences and its dependence on the altitude are examined theoretically and experimentally. Several airborne photographs taken at different altitudes have been evaluated with edge gradient analysis as well as with a grating pattern method. Results are shown, discussed, and compared with model calculations.