Nimbus-7 CZCS: confirmation of its radiometric sensitivity decay rate through 1982

The rates of decay in radiometric sensitivities of channels 1, 2, and 3 of the Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) have been determined using data from the clear water masses of the NE Pacific central gyre. Gain correction coefficients g(λ,N) are presented as linear functions of Nimbus-7 orbit number N, which are, valid through 1982. Internal consistency in the present analysis and comparison with previously published results suggest that corrected radiances are precise within ∼5%.