Spatial disaggregation of spectral data for haze assessment in an arid environment

A new approach has been introduced to measure statistically haze as generated by dust particles in the atmosphere in an arid area. By using Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper data in an optical waveband, it has been demonstrated that spatial disaggregation of the area under study is logically desirable and practically feasible. The approach essentially requires a reference data set acquired in haze-free conditions. The output is restricted to only the overall haze estimates.