Huntsville'96: an experiment in ground-based microwave remote sensing of soil moisture

'Huntsville '96' was an experiment in ground-based remote sensing to acquir e data needed to test and refine algorithms to estimate soil moisture on ba re and vegetated plots. Remote sensing instruments included a L, S, and C-b and microwave radiometer and a L, C, and X-band radar. The remote sensing m easurements were supported with automated and manual measurements of numero us soil and vegetation variables. The remote sensing instruments were able to detect both the large surface moisture changes due to rainfall and subse quent drying as well as the diurnal fluctuations in moisture. These data wi ll be used to refine techniques to estimate moisture in the surface layer o f soil, address issues related to the sensitivity of algorithms, the integr ation of data from passive and active systems, and the use of surface soil moisture estimates to increase the accuracy of soil moisture profile estima tes. Although in-depth analyses of the data are underway, collaboration wit h other investigators is being encouraged.