1. Introduction to Remote Sensing

2. What is Remote Sensing?
Remote sensing is the art and science of acquiring information about the Earth's surface without actually being in contact with it.

3. Remote Sensing?
...Under our definition, neither of these are remote sensing

4. How does Remote Sensing work?
Remote Sensing consists of:
1.) sensing and recording reflected or emitted energy,
and:
2.) processing, analyzing, and applying that information.

5. Is remote sensing a science or a technology, or both?
Remote Sensing is a technology that is used in many scientific disciplines
Adequate understanding of remote sensing technology requires science background and disciplinary knowledge

6. Remote Sensing Instruments
Are really just electromagnetic radiation detectors/recorders
Light -- Cameras and Scanners
Heat - Thermal scanners
Radio Waves -- radar

7. Modes of RS Instruments
Active
Passive
Sensor records reflected ambient
EMR, or emitted EMR
Sensor emits and detects
EMR

8. Perceptions of Remote Sensing Things That Come to Mind...

9. Elements of Remote Sensing System (Passive)
Sun
Sensor
Atmosphere
Analysis/
Application
Interaction
of EMR
w/ target
Data Retrieval,
Storage, Distribution
Target

10. Applications of Remote Sensing
Identification of Earth Surface Cover (What’s Down There?)
Biophysical Characterization of Earth Cover (What is the Nature of What’s Down There?)

11. Applications of Remote Sensing?
visualization of changing patterns
quantifying statistical trends
identifying spatially and temporally significant anomalies
modeling temporal patterns

12. Banda Aceh, Sumatra 23 Jun, 2004

13. Banda Aceh, Sumatra 28 Dec, 2004

14. Canada Centre for Remote Sensing

24. On May 3, 2003, a group of intense supercell thunderstorms spawned multiple tornados that swept across Oklahoma and nearby states. One of the tornados touched down in the town of Moore, just south of Oklahoma City. The path of the tornado is visible in this high-resolution satellite image, acquired by the IKONOS satellite on May 10, In the center of the tornado’s swath homes were totally destroyed. The satellite’s 1-meter maximum resolution reveals the extent of the destruction.
NASA Earth Observatory

27. History of Remote Sensing

28. Early History -- Kites

29. Early History -- Balloons
“Nadar”

30. Early History -- Balloons Civil War
Union ground crew
Preparing observation
Balloon for launch
Artist’s view of balloon
in use -- Battle of Fair Oaks,
June, 1862

31. Birds? Member of the Bavarian Pigeon Corps
outfitted with aerial camera

32. Other Platforms

33. Aerial Photography Wright Bros
Wright Flyer

34. Aerial Photography Military Application -- WWI
Camera
Royal Canadian Air Force Photography Crew
World War I
Trench Systems in France

35. Aerial Photography Military Application -- WWII
K- 3B
Aerial Camera
Kwaeh Yu River
Nighttime Aerial Photo
Rochester, NY

36. Aerial Photography Camouflage Detection (Infrared) Film
Conventional film
no camouflage
Conventional film
with camouflage
Infrared film
with camouflage

37. Remote Sensing from Space Astronaut Photography
Project Gemini
first real science from space
Project Mercury

38. Remote Sensing from Space Project Apollo -- Multispectral Photography
Green
Red
False Color
Near Infrared

39. Satellite Photography (1960s - 70s)
Corona Recon System
Aral Sea

40. Satellite Imaging (1970s - Present)
Landsat (ERTS) 1
Thematic Mapper