Fusion of ASTER image data for enhanced mapping of landcover features Visible and Near infrared Radiometer (VNIR) The VNIR high resolution radiometer observes the targets using solar radiation reflected from the earth surfaces in three visible and near infrared bands (Table.1). Its main objectives are land survey, vegetation assessment, environmental protection and disaster prevention. VNIR data can be combined with data from SWIR and TIR to provide synergistic interpretation.  Fig 3(b): Fused Image through Brovey transformation method The stereoscopic image sensor views 27.6 degrees backward of band 3 sensor in the same orbit. VNIR degrees in cross track from nadir direction. Stereoscopic observation capability is useful for geomorphology and creation of DEM. VNIR automatically corrects on board for the geometric aberration between the backward field of view and the nadir FOV caused by the rotation of the earth. Each band has a linear charge coupled device (CCD) array that sweeps 60Km swath over the earth’s surface in a bush broom manner (Fig. 1).  Fig 3(c): Fused Image IHS Short wavelength Infrared Radiometer (SWIR) SWIR is an advanced high resolution multispectral radiometer which detects reflected solar radiation from the earth surfaces in the wavelength region of 1.6 – 2.43 micrometer. SWIR is especially advantageous for resources discriminations such as rocks and minerals and for environmental survey such as vegetations and volcanoes. The detector consists of six band PTSI Schottky barrier type CCDs integrated on a chip and each band row has 2048 effective pixels. Spectral ramifications are performed through stripe shaped band pass filters placed on the chip (ERSDAC, 2000) (Fig. 2).  Fig 4(a): Classified Images of VNIR |