Remote Sensing

Geog 170
Lecture 9
January 21, 2003

Remote Sensing

Practice of gathering information via a

sensor that is not in direct contact with the
object being observed

Such as using our eyes (the sensors) to

observe the world

Observations are based on how objects

reflect energy

Energy source may be the sun (light) or may

be generated by the sensor

Remote Sensing and Maps

Remote sensing data is becoming a

primary source of cartographic information

As raw data
Data products derived from remote sensing
imagery

Projections of future
urban development in
northern Virginia given
three different policy
scenarios.

Background image: Landsat 7

ETM+, bands 4, 3, 7, acquired
August 2000.

Source: Mid-Atlantic RESAC

The Electromagnetic (EM)

Spectrum

The EM spectrum describes the range of

wavelengths that make up electromagnetic
radiation (energy)

Some things, like the sun or radioactive objects, emit

electromagnetic radiation
Everything reflects or absorbs electromagnetic
radiation

Patterns of reflection and/or emission are called

signatures, and can be unique for different
objects

The EM Spectrum

EM Reflectance Signatures

0.4

0.7

Visible spectrum

EM Reflectance Signatures

Classification

Remote sensing imagery is usually classified

before it is put on a map
Computer algorithms are developed that can
recognize specific reflectance patterns across
the EM spectrum

Those patterns are translated into categories, such as

land use or land cover categories

Aerial photographs are often classified manually

(photo-interpretation), an extremely time
consuming task

Terminology

Pixel: picture element

Rectangular area on the ground for which a remote

sensing instruments record information
Remotely sensed images are made of many pixels
The minimum mapping unit for a remotely sensed
image
Related to the resolution of the image

Resolution: the size of the area on the ground

that is captured

A high resolution image is made up of pixels that are

very small; low resolution image is made up of pixels
that are very large.

Types of Remote Sensing

Instruments

Many, many types of instruments

Differentiated by:

Spectral range

Signal source

Broad-band (panchromatic), narrow-band, multispectral

Active vs. passive

Detector location

On, under, or above the earths surface

Airborne, satellite

Passive Remote Sensing

Detects naturally generated energy that is

either emitted or absorbed by objects

The sun is typically the energy source, and

the signal results when light is either reflected
or absorbed.

Example:

Our eyes are passive remote sensors

Aerial photographs, most satellite imagery

Color-infrared
aerial photograph
This image of Herndon, VA
was taken in Dec. 1988.
Because green vegetation
reflects strongly in the nearinfrared wavelengths, it
appears red in this image.
Deciduous trees are evident,
but have lost their leaves and
are a greenish color. Water
absorbs most wavelengths
and will appear black in most
cases. Concrete and bare
ground are highly reflective
and appear white.

Wilkes-Barre, PA
Industrial Corridor

Washington, DC

Richmond, VA

Active Remote Sensing

The instrument transmits a signal that is

reflected off a surface
The reflected signal is recorded by the
sensor

Radar

Wavelengths of radar signals can penetrate

clouds that may obscure the earths surface
Since radar is an active remote sensor, it can
operate day or night
Sensitive to how moisture changes reflective
properties of soil or clouds
Sensitive to texture (smoothness or roughness)
of the earths surface

Soil Moisture (wetlands)

These images are for a section of the Patuxent River on two different dates. The
soil in the November image has less moisture, while the soil in the April image is
wetter, resulting in a brighter image.

Source: Megan Weiner, UMD Geography

LIDAR

Light Detection and Ranging

LIDAR sensors emit laser energy and
record how fast that energy returns to the
sensor

Can be used to detect distance, speed, or

rotation of objects on earth

Source: University
of Maryland VCL

Source: University of Maryland VCL

Mission to Planet Earth

Earth observation from space

The National Aeronautical and Space Administration

(NASA) made earth observation and earth science a
top priority in the early 1990s.
A proliferation of earth observing satellites have been
launched to monitor the land, water and atmospheric
systems on earth.
Over 25 satellites are part of the Mission to Planet
Earth initiative; satellites usually carry several
different remote sensing instruments

ADEOS-MIDORI/TOMS

Objectives: Take
remote sensing
measurements of
Earths
atmosphere, land
surface and the
oceans in order
to facilitate the
study of ozone
depletion,
greenhouse
gasses and the
El Nino
phenomenon.

GOES

A polar orbiting
weather
satellite. A
GOES satellite
has been in
operation since
1968.

The Landsat Program

Mozambique coastline
on August 22, 1999

and on March 1,
2000 after heavy rains
caused severe
flooding.

Began
observing
the earth in
1972.
First satellite
launched to
specifically
map the land
instead of
the water or
atmosphere.

The Terra Satellite

NASAs Earth Observing System (EOS)

flagship satellite, launched December
1999.
Determine how life on earth affects, and
is affected by, changes within the climate
system (http://terra.nasa.gov/)

Fires in Venezuela and

Columbia. This image
was captured Dec. 14,
2002 by the MODIS
sensor, one of the many
sensors aboard the
Terra satellite.
Computer algorithms
have been developed to
identify active fires,
shown here in red.

These are the first

global measurements
of carbon monoxide
(CO). Note the
concentration of CO
in the northern
hemisphere in April
2000, attributable to
the burning of fossil
fuels in industrialized
nations. In the
October images, fires
near the equator
explain the high CO
measurements.