Mineral Luminescence Observed From Space

Methods developed to explore the luminescent properties of moon facilitated development techniques infer terrestrial solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) from satellite instruments. While single SIF retrievals are inherently noisy, averaging many allows us obtain highly accurate estimates. We analyzed several years aggregated data collected by TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) and Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) over nonvegetated areas potential beyond realm photosynthesis. The fundamentally different at varying wavelengths in near-infrared reveal that about 10% all barren surfaces weakly luminescent, while a few luminesce strongly—amounts comparable vegetation. By means lithological maps, we attributed strongest luminescence signals exposed carbonate sedimentary rocks. Besides detailed evaluation signal properties, discussed implications for sets other remote sensing products.