The AIG/HyVista 1999 USA HyMap Group Shoot: overview and analysis examples

Hyperspectral data provide unique information about the Earth´s surface unavailable from other sources. AIG conducted hyperspectral “Group Shoot” during 1995 using the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) instrument as a first attempt to broaden commercial use of hyperspectral data. Hyperspectral imaging has now reached a level of maturity where there is a high demand for data over specific sites of interest for a variety of applications. Unfortunately, until now, data availability has been far behind data demand. There are a number of research systems available (e.g.: AVIRIS, and some first generation commercial systems; casi, DAIS, TRWSIII, Probe-1, etc). These, however, are either available only to a select group of investigators, operate over a limited wavelength range, or haven´t as yet demonstrated true commercial viability. Analytical Imaging and Geophysics in cooperation with HyVista Corporation organized a second hyperspectral “Group Shoot” in the USA during 1999 as the next step to providing affordable, high quality hyperspectral data on a commercial basis. The mission, flown using the HyMap^TM sensor, a commercial system with 126 spectral bands at approximately 17 nm spectral resolution and spatial resolutions of 3-10 m demonstrates the viability of commercial hyperspectral data. This paper provides a description of the instrument, the group shoot concept, data examples, and processing results. High quality apparent reflectance data for over 200 flightlines have been delivered to Group Shoot participants and selected hyperspectral scenes acquired during the group shoot are available for purchase and delivery