1. Introduction to Remote Sensing EAS Spring 2009
Dr. Marco Tedesco
Dept. Earth and Atmosp. Sciences

2. Prerequisites Some knowledge of trigonometry and algebra
Some basic physics
Enthusiasm and curiosity -

3. By the end of the course you will know:
the basic physics and principles of remote sensing
the differences and similaraties of various sensors in orbit
Basic knowledge of data analysis
Assess the synergies and limitations of remote sensing for environmental analysis and other applications -

4. Course Logistics Lecture (O44):
Friday 10.00:12.30
Syllabus, schedule, lecture notes, labs, links, review sheets will be posted on the web -

5. Office Hours After the lesson or by appointment Ph: 2126507027
Best way : still ! -

6. First Essay due on February 20, 2009 (before class) Midterm (March 27)
Project Assignment (April 10)
Projects discussion (April 24)
Project presentation (May 15)
Final - TBA -

7. How satellites and sensors work Types of sensors: Optical Thermal
Topics we will cover:
Physical principles
How satellites and sensors work
Types of sensors: Optical
Thermal
Passive microwave
Active microwave
Lidar and altimetry
Applications: Vegetation mapping and assessment
Land cover/land use change
Water (oceans, lakes, rivers, snow/ice)
Soils, minerals, and geomorphology
Urban and societal applications
Polar regions and climate change -

8. What is remote sensing?
“the acquisition and measurement of data/information on some property(ies) of a phenomenon, object, or material by a recording device not in physical, intimate contact with the feature(s) under surveillance; techniques involve amassing knowledge pertinent to environments by measuring force fields, electromagnetic radiation, or acoustic energy employing cameras, radiometers and scanners, lasers, radio frequency receivers, radar systems, sonar, thermal devices, seismographs, magnetometers, gravimeters, scintillometers, and other instruments”.
Source: NASA tutorial on remote sensing -

9. Shorter definition
Remote sensing is the collection of information about an object or system without coming into direct physical contact with it
Art or science??? -

10. Why do we do remote sensing?
Unobtrusive
Automated
Useful for extreme conditions
Offers excellent spatial and temporal coverage
Provides real time or near-real time observations
Often cost-effective
Extends our senses -

11. How are measurements made?
Ground-based
Airborne
Satellite -

12. Remote Sensing Systems
Active Sensor - illuminates the subject from an artificial energy source
Passive Sensor - uses natural radiation from the Sun or Earth
Imaging Sensor - creates a “picture” by scanning across a linear array of detectors while the array moves through space
Non-imaging Sensor - measures along a transect or at a point; or uses a non-photonic approach -

13. REMOTE SENSING DATA TYPES
Visible, infrared, thermal, and microwave are most common -

14. The Remote Sensing Cycle
Development
Sensor
Assessment
Data
Information
Processing
Data
Analysis
Interpretation -

15. The Remote Sensing Cycle
Development
Sensor
Assessment
Data
Information
Processing
Data
Analysis
Interpretation -

16. Some examples… -

17. -

18. Mapping Flooding in New Orleans
Lidar-derived water depths superimposed over a high resolution SPOT image -

19. Breakup of the Larsen B Ice Shelf
MODIS
imagery from
January 31, 2002-
March 6, 2002
Courtesy of Ted Scambos, NSIDC -

20. Non-photonic approach to monitoring changes on Earth:
Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment
GRACE measures very small changes in the Earth’s gravity over time and space -