• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.6_1
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• pp.1767-1772
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• 2021

Global satellite observation surface albedo data over a long period of time are actively used to monitor changes in the global climate and environment, and their utilization and importance are great. Through the generational shift of geostationary satellites COMS (Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite)/MI (Meteorological Imager sensor) and GK-2A (GEO-KOMPSAT-2A)/AMI (Advanced Meteorological Imager sensor), it is possible to continuously secure surface albedo outputs. However, the surface albedo outputs of COMS/MI and GK-2A/AMI differ between outputs due to Differences in retrieval algorithms. Therefore, in order to expand the retrieval period of the surface albedo of COMS/MI and GK-2A/AMI to secure continuous climate change monitoring linkage, the analysis of the two satellite outputs and errors should be preceded. In this study, error characteristics were analyzed by performing comparative analysis with ground observation data AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) and other satellite data GLASS (Global Land Surface Satellite) for the overlapping period of COMS/MI and GK-2A/AMI surface albedo data. As a result of error analysis, it was confirmed that the RMSE of COMS/MI was 0.043, higher than the RMSE of GK-2A/AMI, 0.015. In addition, compared to other satellite (GLASS) data, the RMSE of COMS/MI was 0.029, slightly lower than that of GK-2A/AMI 0.038. When understanding these error characteristics and using COMS/MI and GK-2A/AMI's surface albedo data, it will be possible to actively utilize them for long-term climate change monitoring.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.39 no.6_3
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• pp.1779-1790
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• 2023

Satellite-based fog detection algorithms are being developed to detect fog in real-time over a wide area, with a focus on the Korean Peninsula (KorPen). The GEO-KOMPSAT-2A/Advanced Meteorological Imager (GK2A/AMI, GK2A) satellite offers an excellent temporal resolution (10 min) and a spatial resolution (500 m), while GEO-KOMPSAT-2B/Geostationary Ocean Color Imager-II (GK2B/GOCI-II, GK2B) provides an excellent spatial resolution (250 m) but poor temporal resolution (1 h) with only visible channels. To enhance the fog detection level (10 min, 250 m), we developed a fused GK2AB fog detection algorithm (FDA) of GK2A and GK2B. The GK2AB FDA comprises three main steps. First, the Korea Meteorological Satellite Center's GK2A daytime fog detection algorithm is utilized to detect fog, considering various optical and physical characteristics. In the second step, GK2B data is extrapolated to 10-min intervals by matching GK2A pixels based on the closest time and location when GK2B observes the KorPen. For reflectance, GK2B normalized visible (NVIS) is corrected using GK2A NVIS of the same time, considering the difference in wavelength range and observation geometry. GK2B NVIS is extrapolated at 10-min intervals using the 10-min changes in GK2A NVIS. In the final step, the extrapolated GK2B NVIS, solar zenith angle, and outputs of GK2A FDA are utilized as input data for machine learning (decision tree) to develop the GK2AB FDA, which detects fog at a resolution of 250 m and a 10-min interval based on geographical locations. Six and four cases were used for the training and validation of GK2AB FDA, respectively. Quantitative verification of GK2AB FDA utilized ground observation data on visibility, wind speed, and relative humidity. Compared to GK2A FDA, GK2AB FDA exhibited a fourfold increase in spatial resolution, resulting in more detailed discrimination between fog and non-fog pixels. In general, irrespective of the validation method, the probability of detection (POD) and the Hanssen-Kuiper Skill score (KSS) are high or similar, indicating that it better detects previously undetected fog pixels. However, GK2AB FDA, compared to GK2A FDA, tends to over-detect fog with a higher false alarm ratio and bias.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.41-55
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• 2021

To detect thunderstorms occurring in Korea, National Meteorological Satellite Center (NMSC) also introduced the rapid-development thunderstorm (RDT) algorithm developed by EUMETSAT. At NMCS, the H-RDT (HR) based on the Himawari-8 satellite and the K-RDT (KR) which combines the GK2A convection initiation output with the RDT were developed. In this study, we optimized the KR (KU) to improve the detection level of thunderstorms occurring in Korea. For this, we used all available data, such as GK2A/AMI, RADAR, lightning, and numerical model data from the recent two years (2019-2020). The machine learning of logistic regression and stepwise variable selection was used to optimize the KU algorithms. For considering the developing stages and duration time of thunderstorms, and data availability of GK2A/AMI, a total of 72 types of detection algorithms were developed. The level of detection of the KR, HR, and KU was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively using lightning and RADAR data. Visual inspection using the lightning and RADAR data showed that all three algorithms detect thunderstorms that occurred in Korea well. However, the level of detection differs according to the lightning frequency and day/night, and the higher the frequency of lightning, the higher the detection level is. And the level of detection is generally higher at night than day. The quantitative verification of KU using lightning (RADAR) data showed that POD and FAR are 0.70 (0.34) and 0.57 (0.04), respectively. The verification results showed that the detection level of KU is slightly better than that of KR and HR.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.5_2
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• pp.1295-1305
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• 2021

Satellite-derived ocean color products are required to effectively monitor clear open ocean and coastal water regions for various research fields. For this purpose, accurate correction of atmospheric effect is essential. Currently, the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI)-II ground segment uses the reanalysis of meteorological fields such as European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) or National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) to correct gas absorption by water vapor and ozone. In this process, uncertainties may occur due to the low spatiotemporal resolution of the meteorological data. In this study, we develop water vapor absorption correction model for the GK-2 combined GOCI-II atmospheric correction using Advanced Meteorological Imager (AMI) total precipitable water (TPW) information through radiative transfer model simulations. Also, we investigate the impact of the developed model on GOCI products. Overall, the errors with and without water vapor absorption correction in the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance at 620 nm and 680 nm are only 1.3% and 0.27%, indicating that there is no significant effect by the water vapor absorption model. However, the GK-2A combined water vapor absorption model has the large impacts at the 709 nm channel, as revealing error of 6 to 15% depending on the solar zenith angle and the TPW. We also found more significant impacts of the GK-2 combined water vapor absorption model on Rayleigh-corrected reflectance at all GOCI-II spectral bands. The errors generated from the TOA reflectance is greatly amplified, showing a large error of 1.46~4.98, 7.53~19.53, 0.25~0.64, 14.74~40.5, 8.2~18.56, 5.7~11.9% for from 620 nm to 865 nm, repectively, depending on the SZA. This study emphasizes the water vapor correction model can affect the accuracy and stability of ocean color products, and implies that the accuracy of GOCI-II ocean color products can be improved through fusion with GK-2A/AMI.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.179-188
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• 2022

Global warming causes climate change and increases extreme weather events worldwide, and the occurrence of heatwaves and droughts is also increasing in Korea. For the monitoring of extreme weather, various satellite data such as LST (Land Surface Temperature), TCI (Temperature Condition Index), NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), VCI (Vegetation Condition Index), and VHI (Vegetation Health Index) have been used. VHI, the combination of TCI and VCI, represents the vegetation stress affected by meteorological factors like precipitation and temperature and is frequently used to assess droughts under climate change. TCI and VCI require historical reference values for the LST and NDVI for each date and location. So, it is complicated to produce the VHI from the recent satellite GK2A (Geostationary Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite-2A). This study examined the retrieval of VHI using GK2A AMI (Advanced Meteorological Imager) by referencing the historical data from VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) NDVI and LST as a proxy data. We found a close relationship between GK2A and VIIRS data needed for the retrieval of VHI. We produced the TCI, VCI, and VHI for GK2A during 2020-2021 at intervals of 8 days and carried out the interpretations of recent extreme weather events in Korea. GK2A VHI could express the changes in vegetation stress in 2020 due to various extreme weather events such as heatwaves (in March and June) and low temperatures (in April and July), and heavy rainfall (in August), while NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) VHI could not well represent such characteristics. The GK2A VHI presented in this study can be utilized to monitor the vegetation stress due to heatwaves and droughts if the historical reference values of LST and NDVI can be adjusted in a more statistically significant way in the future work.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.5_3
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• pp.953-966
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• 2022

Since aerosols adversely affect human health, such as deteriorating air quality, quantitative observation of the distribution and characteristics of aerosols is essential. Recently, satellite-based Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) data is used in various studies as periodic and quantitative information acquisition means on the global scale, but optical sensor-based satellite AOD images are missing in some areas with cloud conditions. In this study, we produced gap-free GeoKompsat 2A (GK-2A) Advanced Meteorological Imager (AMI) AOD hourly images after generating a Random Forest based gap-filling model using grid meteorological and geographic elements as input variables. The accuracy of the model is Mean Bias Error (MBE) of -0.002 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.145, which is higher than the target accuracy of the original data and considering that the target object is an atmospheric variable with Correlation Coefficient (CC) of 0.714, it is a model with sufficient explanatory power. The high temporal resolution of geostationary satellites is suitable for diurnal variation observation and is an important model for other research such as input for atmospheric correction, estimation of ground PM, analysis of small fires or pollutants.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.645-652
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• 2020

GK2A(GEO-KOMPSAT-2A)satellite has been operating excellently since its launch in Dec 2018. The secondary payload called KSEM (Korean Space Environment Monitor) was equipped into the GK2A satellite along with AMI (Advanced Meteorological Imager) sensor. KSEM is the Korea's first operational geostationary space weather sensor and has been developed collaboratively by KHU (Kyung Hee University) and KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute). The interface works between KSEM and GK2A were conducted by KARI. Various interface tests, which aim for evaluating effective functionality of KSEM with the spacecraft, were intensively conducted at KARI facilities. Main tests consisted of mechanical and electrical check-up activities between the KSEM and GK2A. Interface tests of KSEM, which involve pre-launch tests such as ETB and GK2A system level tests, were conducted to evaluate functional and performance of KSEM before the launch. The tests carried out during the GK2A LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase) and IOT (In Orbit Test) period (Dec 2018 ~ June 2019) showed excellent in-orbit performance of KSEM data.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.359-365
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• 2021

GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (GK2A) AMI (Advanced Meteorological Imager) Best Detector Select (BDS) map is pre-determined and uploaded before the satellite launch. After the launch, there is some possibility of a detector performance change driven by an abrupt temperature variation and thus the status of BDS map needs to be evaluated and updated if necessary. To investigate performance of entire elements of the detectors, AMI BDS analyses were conducted based on a technical note provided from the AMI vendor (L3HARRIS). The concept of the BDS analysis is to investigate the stability of signals from detectors while they are staring at targets (deep space and internal calibration target). For this purpose, Long Time Series (LTS) and Output Voltage vs. Bias Voltage (V-V) methods are used. The LTS for 30 secs and the V-V for two secs are spanned respectively for looking at the targets to compute noise components of detectors. To get the necessary data sets, these activities were conducted during the In-Orbit Test (IOT) period since a normal operation of AMI is stopped and special mission plans are commanded. With collected data sets during the GK2A IOT, AMI BDS map was intensively examined. It was found that about 1% of entire detector elements, which were evaluated at the ground test, showed characteristic changes and those degraded elements are replaced by alternative best ones. The stripping effects on AMI raw images due to the BDS problem were clearly removed when the new BDS map was applied.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.39 no.6_1
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• pp.1477-1482
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• 2023

This study examines marine heat wave (MHW) in the Northeast Asia region from 2012 to 2021, utilizing geostationary satellite Communication, Ocean, and Meteorological Satellite (COMS)/Meteorological Imager sensor (MI) and GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (GK-2A)/Advanced Meteorological Imager sensor (AMI) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data. Our analysis has identified an increasing trend in the frequency and intensity of MHW events, especially post-2018, with the year 2020 marked by significantly prolonged and intense events. The statistical validation using Optimal Interpolation (OI) SST data and satellite SST data through T-test assessment confirmed a significant rise in sea surface temperatures, suggesting that these changes are a direct consequence of climate change, rather than random variations. The findings revealed in this study serve the necessity for ongoing monitoring and more granular analysis to inform long-term responses to climate change. As the region is characterized by complex topography and diverse climatic conditions, the insights provided by this research are critical for understanding the localized impacts of global climate dynamics.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.6_2
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• pp.1829-1836
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• 2021

Cloud detection means determining the presence or absence of clouds in a pixel in a satellite image, and acts as an important factor affecting the utility and accuracy of the satellite image. In this study, among the satellites of various advanced organizations that provide cloud detection data, we intend to perform quantitative and qualitative comparative analysis on the difference between the cloud detection data of GK-2A/AMI, Terra/MODIS, and Suomi-NPP/VIIRS. As a result of quantitative comparison, the Proportion Correct (PC) index values in January were 74.16% for GK-2A & MODIS, 75.39% for GK-2A & VIIRS, and 87.35% for GK-2A & MODIS in April, and GK-2A & VIIRS showed that 87.71% of clouds were detected in April compared to January without much difference by satellite. As for the qualitative comparison results, when compared with RGB images, it was confirmed that the results corresponding to April rather than January detected clouds better than the previous quantitative results. However, if thin clouds or snow cover exist, each satellite were some differences in the cloud detection results.