U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) spectral library

We have assembled a library of spectra measured with laboratory, field,and airborne spectrometers. The instruments used cover wavelengthsfrom the ultraviolet to the far infrared (0.2 to 200 microns [μm]).Laboratory samples of specific minerals, plants, chemical compounds,and manmade materials were measured. In many cases, samples werepurified, so that unique spectral features of a material can be related toits chemical structure. These spectro-chemical links are important forinterpreting remotely sensed data collected in the field or from anaircraft or spacecraft. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) spectral libraryhave nearly 500 spectra of well-characterized minerals and a fewvegetation spectra, from a range of 0.4 to 2.5 μm.