Research article
Multiple Satellite Detection of Hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia during February and March of 2002
KeywordsHotspots, multiple satellites, inter-comparison, cloud coverage, spatial patterns
Article content
Abstract
A comparison of the spatial distribution of hotspots detected in Peninsular Malaysia during the short spell of dry conditions that occurred in February and March of 2002 from three different types of satellite programmes such as National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Defense Meteorological Satellite Programme (DMSP) satellites was investigated. This period was considered unusual compared to other years, due to the high level of burning activities and the early occurrence of haze compared to the usual burning Period from July to September. The spatial patterns of the locations of hotspots detected from these multiple sources were analyzed, although they differed in the overpass times, algorithms, resolutions and cloud coverage that rendered dissimilarities in the hotspots detected. Visual interpretation on the patterns of hotspots showed that Pahang, Johor and Kedah states of Peninsular Malaysia recorded the largest number of hotspots.