The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) has developed
an airborne sensor, the SWIR Full Spectrum Imager (SFSI) which detects in the
short wave infrared range of the solar spectrum from 1220 to 2420 nm. In June of
1995, a demonstration flight was undertaken in the state of Nevada with the
support of the companies listed above. The focus of the flight was to collect
image data over well known mineral deposits with the objective of evaluating the
applicability of this sensor to alteration mineral mapping. Some of the Nevada
sites chosen include Cuprite and Goldfield, volcanic hosted acid sulfate
systems; Yerington, a structurally complex porphyry copper deposit; and Virginia
City, a quartz-sericite-pyrite vein system with advanced argillic pods. Ground
spectral data was collected with the PIMA-II spectrometer. Solar reflectance
calibration was done by Desert Research Institute personnel at Virginia City and
Cuprite. This paper will discuss the configuration of the sensor and present
image and ground data for Goldfield and Virginia City.