Field Observations

The Marine Optical BuoY (MOBY) project provides in situ data for the vicarious calibration of ocean color satellite data (Clark et al., 1997).  MOBY is a hyperspectral optical instrument system moored off the island of Lanai in Hawaii.  The system was designed for measuring sunlight incident on (surface irradiance) and emitted out of (water-leaving radiance) the ocean.  These measurements are provided in near real time for the vicarious calibration procedures conducted by ocean color scientists and also used for routine monitoring of satellite sensor performance. MOBY has been funded by NOAA since October 2007.