Test of airborne fluorometer over land surfaces and geologic materials

Abstract

Although no fluorescence was detected, the mechanical operation of the FLD was satisfactory throughout 8 hours of flight, with attendant vibrations, and during a wide range of sun angles, from 13° to 33°. In accord with design, the FLD showed no appreciable response to moderate contrasts in reflectivity among targets, although there was a marked response to strong contrasts in reflectivity. Airborne tests also established that a minimum instrumental warm-up time of seven minutes is required, and that response is not entirely independent of either the vertical angle (tilt) or horizontal angle (flight direction) of the aircraft.