RS and GIS: UWGB 2011

Dutch, Fermanich and Stiefvater

Remote Sensing

http://www.cas.sc.edu/geog/rslab/Rscc/rscc-frames.html

What is Remote Sensing?

Acquisition of physical data of an object without touch or contact. Observation of a target by a device separate from it by some distance. Reconnaissance at a distance. Depends on context. Some definitions include Geophysical (seismic, magnetic, gravitational, acoustical, & nuclear decay radiation surveys) These days usually implies more than mere visual processing

What Sensors Detect

Electromagnetic radiation
Radio Infrared (thermal) Visible Ultraviolet X-Ray and gamma ray

Force fields
Gravity Magnetism

Acoustic energy
Audible Ultrasonic Infrasonic Seismic

Sensors
Cameras Radiometers and scanners Lasers Radio frequency receivers Radar systems Sonar Thermal devices Seismographs Magnetometers Gravimeters Scintillometers

Fig. 18-2, p.430

Remote Sensing

http://www.cas.sc.edu/geog/rslab/Rscc/rscc-frames.html

 Source of the radiation being sensed may or may not be independent of the sensing device. Passive remote sensing relies on the radiation originating from some other source, principally the sun.
Often Visible, NIR

 Source of the radiation being sensed may or may not be independent of the sensing device. Active remote sensing devices, such as radar, direct radiation of a particular form towards an object and then detect the amount of that energy which is radiated by the object.
microwave and radio wave regions of the EM spectrum. Lidar (Laser Imaging raDAR) systems :ultraviolet, visible and near infrared wavelengths.)

Physical Object

Sensor Data

Extracted Info

Applications

GIS
Land Use Geology Hydrology Vegetation Soils

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Data
Vector Raster

Metadata (Data About the Data)

When, how, by whom acquired What the data means How accurate is the Data How the Computer should deal with Data

Image of the day

Where: Southern Chile When: January 19, 2009

Chaiten Volcano, Chile

Image of the day

Where: Southern Chile When: January 19, 2009 Whats being sensed?
Ash plume and previous ash falls Dispersal patterns and paths

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER)

Multi spectral including visible and IR

Satellite: NASAs Terra (launched Feb. 2000)

Why Chaiten is Neat

Image of the Day

Rehearse Scale, location, orientation Be able to pronounce terms correctly Anticipate questions
Effects on people and environment Unusual features in image How data acquired