A haze removal module for mutlispectral satellite imagery

Ever-present spatial varying haze contamination in satellite scenes limits applications, especially urban remote sensing using visible and near infrared bands of low temporal resolution multispectral satellite imageries. We introduce a haze removal module coded in IDL language (used with ENVI software) which is a three-step framework comprised of haze detection, haze perfection and haze removal. The framework is based on several previous researches, loose and open, so that users can pick any method contained in each step or develop and use their own methods. Some TM and QuickBird images are present for visual assessment. Shortcoming of this module is too much human intervention on parameter determination and further search should aim at automation and more new methods in each step.