Earth Sciences Division

Gerhard Meister

(RESEARCH AST, OCEANOGRAPHIC STUDIES)

Gerhard Meister's Contact Card & Information.
Email: gerhard.meister-1@nasa.gov
Phone: 301.286.0758
Org Code: 616
Address:
NASA/GSFC
Mail Code 616.2
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Employer:
NASA

Missions & Projects

Brief Bio


Gerhard Meister received the diploma and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the University of Hamburg, Germany, in 1996 and 2000, respectively. He worked for Futuretech Corp. from 2000 to 2010 in the Ocean Biology Processing Group at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Since 2010, he is a member of the NASA Ocean Ecology Branch. He is the chair of the IOCCG task force on 'Ocean Colour Satellite Sensor Calibration'. His main focus is the calibration and characterization of satellite based ocean color sensors such as SeaWiFS, MODIS, VIIRS and OCI. He was the Principal Investigator for the Instrument Incubator Project (funded by NASA's Earth Science and Technology Office from 2010 to 2013) for the Ocean Radiometer for Carbon Assessment (ORCA). Since 2015, he is the Instrument Scientist for the Ocean Color Instrument for NASA's PACE mission.

Research Interests


Ocean color sensor calibration

Earth Science: Remote Sensing

The calibration of ocean color sensors is particularly challenging because of the high relative uncertainty requirements (e.g. characterization of polarization sensitivity, temperature sensitivity, etc.) for the top-of-atmosphere radiances. The absolute uncertainty is not as important as for other disciplines (such as land, atmosphere and clouds), leading to the need for very specific requirements for ocean color sensor calibration.

Current Projects


Instrument Scientist for the PACE mission

Remote Sensing

The PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem) mission is currently in Phase D and expected to launch in early 2024. Gerhard Meister has been the Instrument Scientist for the PACE mission since early 2015. The main instrument of the PACE mission is the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI). See recent publications for more information on PACE and OCI.

Positions/Employment


RESEARCH AST, OCEANOGRAPHIC STUDIES

NASA - NASA Goddard Spece Flight center

2010 - Present

Education


Gerhard Meister received the diploma and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the University of Hamburg, Germany, in 1996 and 2000, respectively.

Publications


Refereed

2024. "The Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) on the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) Mission: System Design and Prelaunch Radiometric Performance." IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 1-1 [10.1109/tgrs.2024.3383812] [Journal Article/Letter]

2023. "Pulse response of the shortwave infrared detection system of the ocean color instrument for the NASA PACE Mission." Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXVII 2 23 [10.1117/12.2684367] [Proceedings]

2023. "Calibration of the SNPP and NOAA 20 VIIRS sensors for continuity of the MODIS climate data records." Remote Sensing of Environment 295 113717 [10.1016/j.rse.2023.113717] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "Test Results From the Prelaunch Characterization Campaign of the Engineering Test Unit of the Ocean Color Instrument of NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud and Ocean Ecosystem (PACE) Mission." Frontiers in Remote Sensing 3 [10.3389/frsen.2022.875863] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "MODIS Aqua Reflective Solar Band Calibration for NASA’s R2018 Ocean Color Products." Remote Sensing 11 (19): 2187 [10.3390/rs11192187] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission: Status, science, advances." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 100 (9): 1775–1794 [10.1175/bams-d-18-0056.1] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Estimating residual uncertainties for lunar irradiance measurements due to imaging acquisition parameters." Journal of Applied Remote Sensing 13 (01): 1 [10.1117/1.jrs.13.014508] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "Effect of MODIS Terra radiometric calibration improvements on Collection 6 Deep Blue aerosol products: Validation and Terra/Aqua consistency." J. Geophys. Res. Atmos. 120 12,157-12,174 [10.1002/2015JD023878] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "On-orbit calibration of the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite for ocean color applications ." Applied Optics 54 (8): 1984-2006 [10.1364/AO.54.001984] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Corrections to the MODIS Aqua Calibration Derived From MODIS Aqua Ocean Color Products." IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 52 (10): 6534-6541 [10.1109/tgrs.2013.2297233] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Scientific impact of MODIS C5 calibration degradation and C6+ improvements." Atmos. Meas. Tech. 7 4353-4365 [10.5194/amt-7-4353-2014] [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "On-orbit calibration of SeaWiFS." Applied Optics 51 (36): 8702-8730 [10.1364/AO.51.008702] [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "Corrections to the Calibration of MODIS Aqua Ocean Color Bands Derived From SeaWiFS Data." IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sensing 50 (1): 310-319 [10.1109/TGRS.2011.2160552] [Journal Article/Letter]

2011. "Impacts of Cross-Platform Vicarious Calibration on the Deep Blue Aerosol Retrievals for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Aboard Terra." IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sensing 49 (12): 4877-4888 [10.1109/TGRS.2011.2153205] [Journal Article/Letter]

2010. "Point-spread function of the ocean color bands of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on Aqua." Applied Optics 49 (32): 6276-6285 [Journal Article/Letter]

2008. "Cross calibration of ocean-color bands from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on Terra platform." Appl Opt 47 (36): 6796-6810 [10.1364/AO.47.006796] [Journal Article/Letter]

2008. "Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on Terra: limitations for ocean color applications." J Appl Remote Sens 2 (1): 023525 [10.1117/1.2957964] [Journal Article/Letter]

2007. "SeaWiFS on-orbit gain and detector calibrations: effect on ocean products." Applied Optics 46 6733-6750 [10.1364/AO.46.006733] [Journal Article/Letter]

2005. "Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ocean color polarization correction." Appl Opt 44 (26): 5524-5535 [Journal Article/Letter]

2004. "Comparison of SeaWiFS Measurements of the Moon with the U.S. Geological Survey Lunar Model." Applied Optics 43 (31): 5838 [10.1364/AO.43.005838] [Journal Article/Letter]

2003. "Comparison of cryogenic radiometry and thermal radiometry calibrations at NIST using multi-channel filter radiometers." Metrologia 40 (1): S216-S219 [10.1088/0026-1394/40/1/350] [Journal Article/Letter]

2003. "Comparison of spectral radiance calibrations at oceanographic and atmospheric research laboratories." Metrologia 40 (1): S93-S96 [10.1088/0026-1394/40/1/321] [Journal Article/Letter]

Non-Refereed

2023. "Measurement techniques for the high-contrast and in-field stray light performance of OCI." Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXVII 12729 [10.1117/12.2682126] [Proceedings]

2023. "PACE OCI crosstalk characterization based on pre-launch testing." Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXVII 12729 [10.1117/12.2677567] [Proceedings]

2023. "PACE OCI polarization sensitivity based on pre-launch testing." Earth Observing Systems XXVIII 126850 [10.1117/12.2677522] [Proceedings]

2023. "Optical and Detector Design of the Ocean Color Instrument for the NASA Pace Mission." IGARSS 2023 - 2023 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium 1337-1340 [10.1109/igarss52108.2023.10281729] [Proceedings]

2023. "Pre-Launch Calibration Methods of OCI on the Pace Mission." IGARSS 2023 - 2023 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium 1341-1344 [10.1109/igarss52108.2023.10282804] [Proceedings]

2023. "Initial Look at the Results from the Prelaunch Characterization Campaign of OCI on the Pace Mission." IGARSS 2023 - 2023 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium 1345-1348 [10.1109/igarss52108.2023.10281727] [Proceedings]

2022. "Infrared spectral responses of the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) pre-assembly and integration." Earth Observing Systems XXVII 12232 (1223210): 8 [10.1117/12.2631201] [Proceedings]

2022. "PACE OCI short-wave infrared detection assembly frequency-dependent linearity characterization and uncertainty analysis." Earth Observing Systems XXVII 12232 (1223212): 10 [10.1117/12.2633617] [Proceedings]

2022. "Spatial characterization of PACE OCI ETU using time-delay mode." Earth Observing Systems XXVII 12232 (1223211): 11 [10.1117/12.2632640] [Proceedings]

2021. "PACE Ocean Color Instrument polarization testing and results." Earth Observing Systems XXVI 11829 (118290R): 13 [10.1117/12.2594029] [Proceedings]

2021. "PACE OCI Pre-launch ETU spectral characterization and performance." Earth Observing Systems XXVI 11829 (118290Q): 10 [10.1117/12.2594306] [Proceedings]

2021. "Progressive TDI measurements with the PACE OCI ETU." Earth Observing Systems XXVI 11829 (118290S): 7 [10.1117/12.2594239] [Proceedings]

2019. "Simulating response versus scan angle characterization on OCI for the upcoming PACE mission." Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXIII 11151 (111511D): 7 [10.1117/12.2532782] [Proceedings]

2019. "Calibration plan for the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) engineering test unit." Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXIII 11151 111511W [10.1117/12.2550820] [Proceedings]

2019. "The NASA Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission: an emerging era of global, hyperspectral Earth system remote sensing." Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXIII 11151 111510G [10.1117/12.2537146] [Proceedings]

2019. "The NASA OBPG 2020 on-orbit calibration of SNPP VIIRS for ocean color applications." Earth Observing Systems XXIV [10.1117/12.2528769] [Proceedings]

2015. "Updates to the on-orbit calibration of SNPP VIIRS for ocean color applications." Earth Observing Systems XX 9607 [10.1117/12.2185940] [Proceedings]

2015. "VIIRS/J1 polarization narrative." Earth Observing Systems XX [10.1117/12.2190138] [Proceedings]

2015. "MODIS Terra-Aqua C6+ Cross-Calibration Improvements ." GSICS Quarterly 9 (2): [10.7289/V5XK8CHN] [Newsletter]

2014. "Satellite Ocean Color Sensor Design Concepts and Performance Requirements (Chapter 2.1)." Optical Radiometry for Ocean Climate Measurements, 1st Edition 47 74-120 [Article in Book]

2014. "Corrections to MODIS Terra calibration and polarization trending derived from ocean color products." Earth Observing Systems XIX 9218 [10.1117/12.2062714] [Proceedings]

2013. "A synthesis of VIIRS solar and lunar calibrations." Proc. SPIE 8866, Earth Observing Systems XVIII 8866 88661L [10.1117/12.2024069] [Proceedings]

2012. "Suomi NPP VIIRS ocean color data product early mission assessment." Proc. SPIE 8510, Earth Observing Systems XVII 8510 85101H [10.1117/12.931113] [Proceedings]

2012. "Quality and Consistency of the NASA Ocean Color Data Record." Proc. Ocean Optics XXI [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "VIIRS on-orbit calibration for ocean color data processing." Proc. SPIE 8510, Earth Observing Systems XVII 8510 85101G [10.1117/12.930483] [Proceedings]

2011. "Assessment of NPP VIIRS Ocean Color Data Products: Hope and Risk." Proc. of SPIE 8153 9 pp. [10.1117/12.893945] [Proceedings]

2011. "Requirements for an Advanced Ocean Radiometer ." NASA Tech Memo 37 [Other]

2011. "Adjustments to the MODIS Terra radiometric calibration and polarization sensitivity in the 2010 reprocessing." Proc. SPIE 8153, Earth Observing Systems XVI 8153 815308 [10.1117/12.891787] [Proceedings]

2011. "Uncertainty Assessment of the SeaWiFS On-Orbit Calibration." Earth Observing Systems XVI [Proceedings]

2009. "Influence of thin cirrus clouds on ocean color products." Proc. SPIE 7459, Ocean Remote Sensing: Methods and Applications 7459 745903 [10.1117/12.827272] [Proceedings]

2009. "Detector dependency of MODIS polarization sensitivity derived from on-orbit characterization." Proc. SPIE 7452, Earth Observing Systems XIV 7452 74520N [10.1117/12.825385] [Proceedings]

2009. "The cross calibration of SeaWiFS and MODIS using on-orbit observations of the Moon." Proc. SPIE 7452, Earth Observing Systems XIV 7452 74520X [10.1117/12.825160] [Proceedings]

2008. "Characterization of MODIS VIS/NIR Spectral Band Detector-to-Detector Differences." Proc. SPIE 7081, Earth Observing Systems XIII 7081 70810C [10.1117/12.792700] [Proceedings]

2008. "MODIS and SeaWIFS on-orbit lunar calibration." Proc. SPIE 7081, Earth Observing Systems XIII 7081 7081oY [10.1117/12.795338] [Proceedings]

2008. "Sun beta angle residuals in solar diffuser measurements of the MODIS ocean bands." Proc. SPIE 7081, Earth Observing Systems XIII 7081 70810D [10.1117/12.796291] [Proceedings]

2008. "Derivation of the MODIS Aqua Point-Spread Function ocean color bands." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 7081 (70811F): 12 pp [10.1117/12.796980] [Proceedings]

2007. "Characterization and correction of stray light in optical instruments." Proc. SPIE 6744, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XI 67441L 11 pp [10.1117/12.737315] [Proceedings]

2007. "Utility of MODIS-Terra for ocean color applications." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 6677 14 pp [Other]

2007. " VIIRS ZEMAX and FORTRAN polarization models." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 6677 66770A-66770A-10 [10.1117/12.735652] [Other]

2007. "Correction of sub-frame striping in high-resolution MODIS ocean color products." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 6677 12 pp [10.1117/12.732191] [Other]

2007. "On-orbit calibration of SeaWiFS: revised temperature and gain corrections." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 6677 15 pp [Other]

2006. "Analysis of image striping due to polarization correction artifacts in remotely sensed ocean scenes." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 6296 12 pp [10.1117/12.678309] [Proceedings]

2006. "MODIS Land Bands for Ocean Remote Sensing Applications." Proc. Ocean Optics XVIII [Proceedings]

2005. "The MODIS Aqua Point-Spread Function for Ocean Color Bands." 9th International Symposium on Physical Measurements and Signatures in Remote Sensing 36 334-336 [Proceedings]

2005. "Use of the moon as a calibration reference for NPP VIIRS." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 5882 385-396 [Other]

2005. "Residual correlations in the solar diffuser measurements of the MODIS Aqua ocean color bands to the Sun yaw angle." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 5882 292-303 [Other]

2005. "The continuity of ocean color measurements from SeaWiFS to MODIS." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 5882 304-316 [Other]

2004. "SeaWiFS lunar calibration methodology after six years on orbit." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 5542 40191 [Other]

2004. "Use of the Moon as a reference for satellite-based climate change measurements." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 5570 328-341 [Other]

2003. "The Second SIMBIOS Radiometric Intercomparision (SIMRIC-2), March-November 2002." NASA/TM 2003-01930 71 pp [Other]

2003. "SIMBIOS Program in Support of Ocean Color Missions: 1997-2003." Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 5155 49-60 [Other]

2003. "SIMBIOS Project Data Processing and Analysis Results." NASA/TM-2003-211622 11841 [Article in Book]

2002. "Monitoring the Radiometric Stability of the SeaWiFS Transfer Radiometer II." Proc American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2002 Spring Meeting 83 (19): [Other]

Talks, Presentations and Posters


Other

Lunar measurements with OCI during the PACE Mission

4, 2023

Presentation of the OCI capabilities to measure lunar irradiance.


OCI on the PACE mission: prelaunch calibration overview

December 15, 2023

Presentation as part of the IOCCG task force Ocean Colour Satellite Sensor Calibration