A recent Alaska Science Forum article highlights the unique combination of aviation and hyperspectral science led by Martin Stuefer, director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Hyperspectral Imaging Lab (HyLab).
For more than a decade, Stuefer has combined his experience as a pilot with scientific research, using airborne hyperspectral imaging to study Alaska’s diverse landscapes. Since 2015, the HyLab team has used airborne hyperspectral data to investigate critical minerals, forest composition, wildfire smoke, and the reflectance properties of snow and ice.
The article also offers a glimpse into the practical challenges and adventures behind this work—from finding the rare combination of clear skies, calm winds, and suitable conditions for a hyperspectral flight to Stuefer’s winter experience transporting seven sled dogs during the 2011 Yukon Quest.
Read the full article: Flying for Science (and the Occasional Sled Dog) — Alaska Science Forum