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The Rayleigh scattering over a clear ocean is a target which radiance is very well modeled and which enables to calibrate the short wavelengths of remote sensing instruments. But the quality of the calibration strongly depends on the evaluation of the other contributors to the observed Top Of Atmosphere radiance i. e. aerosol scattering and reflection over the sea surface (water color, foam, glint...). However these contributors can be reduced by appropriate viewing conditions.

This technique is used to calibrate B1 (051-0.59 mum) and B2 (0.61-0.68 mum) channels of HRVIR camera, and B0 (0.4-0.5 mum) and B2 channels of VEGETATION camera both of which are aboard SPOT4. This article presents the calibration results obtained during the satellite two years in orbit. The results are compared to:

pre-flight results (integrating sphere)

in-flight results.

The in-flight results are provided by:

on board calibration system (lamp and sun sensor)

vicarious calibration over test sites (White Sands, La Crau)

calibration over stable deserts

calibration over the sun glint

The analysis of the sensitivity of the calibration to the different parameters used to model the TOA radiance shows the accuracy of such a technique.