VENµS observations over Israel

Taking advantage of the tilting capabilities of the VENµS, the State of Israel is covered by 27 tiles of 27x27 km each within three long strips, 27-km swath each. The western strip, observed in forwarding view angle, starts north of Rosh Anikra, passes Haifa Bay and the Mediterranean coastal plain, and ends in the Nizzana sand dunes by the border with Egypt. The eastern strip starts north of the Hermon Mountain, passes Lake Kinneret, and ends south of Emek Beth Shean. The southern strip starts north of Perosdor Yerusalaim, passes the vicarious calibration site at Shizafon Playa, and ends in the Gulf of Eilat. The eastern and southern strips are observed in backward view angles. The location of the VENµS orbit and the view angles were determined in order to minimize sun glints from the Mediterranean and Lake Kinneret. The three strips were selected in order to optimize monitoring the agricultural areas of the country, the national reserved and parks, natural and planted forests, as well as the long-term ecological research (LTER) sites.

The VENµS scientific center was established at Sede Boker Campus of Ben Gurion University. This center coordinates the national activities that are derived from the VENµS scientific mission. Among these: receiving Level 0 and Level 1 images from CNES; convert Level 1 to Level 2 and Level 3; developing unique algorithms and applications for using the data; distribute images among certified end-users in Israel, and maintain the national archive for the VENµS images over Israel. In addition, the center will carry out the vicarious radiometric calibration activities in the Negev site. For the calibration and for accurate atmospheric correction, aerosol optical thickness and water vapor are monitored by sunphotometers in 5 designated locations across Israel: Eilat, Sede Boker, Rehovot, Haifa, and Kiryat Shemona.