Radiometric cross-calibration of infrared band was performed between MODIS and Tiangong-1

and then calibrated Tiangong-1 data was used to monitoring the coastal Sea Surface Temperature (SST). Quasi-simultaneous MODIS and Tiangong-1 infrared images in winter and summer acquired in 2012 and 2013

were selected for cross-calibration test. The results show that radiance of Tiangong-1 infrared band was highly correlated to that of MODIS bands in the spatially matched regions (R>0.95)

and accordingly

a linear radiance-correcting function for Tiangong-1 was established against the Band 32 of MODIS. The radiometric-calibrated Tiangong-1 imageries were then used to retrieve the SST of coastal waters: the temperature were consistent with the real sea surface conditions; credited to the high spatial resolution of Tiangong-1 infrared data

the anomalies in SST due to natural or human disturbance were clearly shown

e.g.

the thermal effluent of cooling waters from coastal power plant

which suggests that Tiangong-1 has the potential in water temperature monitoring for the spatially complex coastal zone.