Derivation of maximum value composite images using multidate NOAA-AVHRR data

Multidate NOAA-AVHRR Data has been used for monitoring dynamic changes of the vegetation and coastal processes. However, the interpretation of the data is significantly affected by presence of the clouds. An attempt has been made in this paper to evaluate the technical aspects of a processing methodology to generate a cloud masked imagery using multidate NOAA-AVHRR data to minimize cloud cover in the scene. A Maximum Value Composite Image is generated after cloud minimisation. The utility of the technique has been tested in a case study to generate Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) over the Indian Subcontinent. The process over two days produced spatially continuous cloud-masked imagery to study green vegetation dynamics. The technique minimizes cloud contamination, reduces off-nadir viewing effects and generates maximum value composite image.