Overview of RS

Introduction to RS
• Definitions:

• RS is the process of detecting and monitoring the physical

characteristics of an object by measuring its reflected and emitted
radiation at a distance (typically from satellite or aircraft).

• It is a science and art of obtaining information about an object, area

scene or phenomenon through an analysis of data acquired by a
device that is not in direct contact with the area, object, scene or
phenomenon under investigation
 EM spectrum
• Radiation is one of the three commonly recognized modes of
transference of energy, the others being conduction, and convection.

• Radiation is unique among the three in that radiated energy can be

transferred across free space as well as through a medium such as
air.

• Thus sunlight a form of radiant energy crosses the gulf of emptiness

between the sun and the earth.

• The radiant energy is called Electromagnetic energy in recognition of

 Cont…
• Humans can detect physical world only in certain range of EM
spectrum

• But, remote sensing technology allows for the detection of other EM

spectrum (reflective and radiant (e.g. thermal) energy band-length
ranges)
• that reach or are emitted by Earth’s surface, and even some Earth’s
atmosphere reflects,

• e.g. the EM reflective qualities of clouds

 EM spectrum of radiation
• Gamma rays <0.03nm This range is completely absorbed by the upper
atmosphere and not available for remote sensing.

• X-rays 0.03—3.0 nm This range is completely absorbed by

the atmosphere and not employed
in remote sensing.

• UV-rays 0.03—0.40 µm This range is completely absorbed by the

atmosphere and not employed in remote sensing.

• Photographic UV 0.30—0.40 µm This range is not absorbed by the

atmosphere and detectable with film and photo
detectors but with severe atmospheric scattering.
The visible portion of EM radiation
EM spectrum …..
EM spectrum …..
EM spectrum …..
 Cont…
 The characteristics of an object can be determined, using reflected or emitted
electro-magnetic radiation, from the object

• Interactions between Electro-magnetic

Radiation and atmosphere
-absorption
-transmission
-reflection/scattering

The sunlight's transmission through the atmosphere is affected by absorption and

scattering of atmospheric molecules and aerosols
 History of RS
• 1609 - Invention of the telescope

• 1859 - First aerial photographer called Nadar

• 1862 - US Army balloon corp

• 1908 - First photos from an airplane

• 1914-1918 - World War I

• During World War II, two new remote sensing methods were developed,
the sonar and the radar.

• After World War II, several systems have been developed for different
types of electromagnetic radiation
 Sensors and platforms
• Sensors are divided into two: based on separate technical solutions.

• Passive remote sensing systems measure existing radiation such as

the reflected solar radiation from the earth’s surface.
• Example: Photography, Digital photography, Scanning Mirror (MSS), and Push broom
Scanner

• Active remote sensing systems emit radiation on the study object

and measure the reflected amount of radiation.
• Example: Radar, Sonar, and Echo-sounder and the more recently added Lidar
 Cont…
• The base, stationary or moving, on which remote sensors are
mounted is called a remote sensing platform.

• The remote sensing platforms range from a camera on a tripod to

balloons, helicopters, aircrafts, rockets and spacecrafts.

• The choice of a particular platforms is mainly guided by the choice of

sensors which is guided by the objectives of the programme.

• However other key factors in the choice of a platform are the

payload, operating height, operating range, time and cost.
 Cont…
• Remote Sensing Platforms

Ground based

Aircraft

Space shuttle

Satellite
 Satellites
The 5 main types of  Types of Satellites In Remote Sensing by Functions
 Communication Satellites
satellites based on their
 Earth Observation Satellites
orbits are:
 Navigation Satellites
• low Earth orbit (LEO);  Astronomical Satellites
• medium Earth orbit
(MEO);
• geostationary orbit
(GEO);
• Sun-synchronous orbit
(SSO);
• geostationary transfer
orbit (GTO).
 Satellites
 Major Earth Observing
Satellites are sun
synchronous orbit and
include:
• AVHRR
• Landsat
• Seawifs
• SPOT
• GOES
• Ikonos
• Meteosat
• Quick bird
• Terra EOS Satellite
• Worldview-1,2
(ASTER, MODIS,
CERES, MOPITT, MISR
 Most powerful remote sensing systems
• Recently the most powerful remote sensing systems help for resource
inventories are Radar and Lidar

• Radar is currently being employed more frequently in different resource

inventories, the use of radar remote sensing is particularly useful in areas
that often have a thick cover,

• Since radar waves penetrate clouds and even to certain extent vegetation
cover.

• Lidar is a technology that is becoming more and more frequent in use, often
in order to generate topographic maps and digital elevation models of high
 Importance of RS
 Large amounts of data needed,
 Allows for the collection of much more data in a
and Remote Sensing can provide it
shorter amount of time
 Reduces manual field work
 Leads to increased land coverage AND
dramatically
 Increase ground resolution of a GIS
 Allows retrieval of data for regions  Digital Imagery greatly enhances a GIS
 DIRECTLY: Imagery can serve as a visual aid
difficult or impossible to reach:  INDIRECTLY: Can serves as a source to derive
 Open ocean information such as…
 Land use/land cover
 Hazardous terrain (high  Atmospheric emissions
 Vegetation
mountains, extreme weather  Water bodies
areas, etc.)  Cloud cover
 Change detection (including sea ice, coastlines, sea
 Ocean depths levels, etc.)
 Atmosphere
 Remote Sensing Techniques for Mapping Forests and Biodiversity (sample study)

• Recent advances in remote sensing technology have enabled scientists to map forests and
biodiversity with unprecedented accuracy.

• Researchers from the University of California, Davis have conducted a study to compare the
accuracy of different remote sensing techniques for mapping these important ecosystems.

• The study compared the results of aerial photography, multispectral imagery, and LiDAR for
mapping vegetation cover in a natural reserve in California.

• The researchers found that LiDAR was the most accurate technology for mapping the forests,
with an overall accuracy of nearly 95%.

• Aerial photography was found to be slightly less accurate, with an overall accuracy of nearly
90%.

• Multispectral imagery was found to be the least accurate, with an overall accuracy of
 Cont…
Applications of Remote Sensing
• Images serve as base maps
• Observe or measure properties or conditions of the land, oceans,
and atmosphere
• Map spatial distribution of “features”
• Record spatial changes - Change Detection
• Monitoring Sea Surface Temperature
• Monitoring Weather
• Thank you