1. Tools in ArcGIS Not only is there an immense toolbox,
Tool Bars and (this is new!) ArcToolbox:
Not only is there an
immense toolbox,
You can write your own scripts
And add your own tools!

2. Exercise 4: Sea Level Rise
Intro to Remote Sensing

3. What is Remote Sensing?
The acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon
without making physical contact with the object.
PIGEONS! In 1903, Julius Neubronner designed a camera that could mount on a pigeon’s breast
Lots of GIS data is obtained with Remote Sensing, but we don’t use pigeons anymore (much?)

4. Advantages of Remote Sensing?
Low cost and uniform manner
Detectors can access beyond human eyesight
Easier than on-the-ground surveys
Images locked in time
Large Area Coverage
Extended Spectral Range
Geometric Accuracy
Permanent Record
Amazing Applications!
NASA’s Deep Space Network antenna at
Goldstone, California

5. Electromagnetic Energy Interactions
Most remote sensing data is based on energy from the sun…
Energy recorded by remote sensing systems undergoes
fundamental interactions that should be understood to properly
interpret the remotely sensed data. Think about pathways.
For example, if the energy being remotely sensed comes from the
Sun, the energy:
• is radiated by atomic particles at the source (the Sun),
• propagates through the vacuum of space at the speed of light,
• interacts with the Earth's atmosphere,
• interacts with the Earth's surface,
• interacts with the Earth's atmosphere once again, and
• finally reaches the remote sensor where it interacts with
various optical systems, filters, emulsions, or detectors.

6. Various Pathways of Radiance Received by a Remote Sensing System
Energy-matter
interactions occur
in the atmosphere,
at the study area,
and at the remote
sensor detector

7. Transmittance and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

8. Considerations for Remote Sensing Data
Aerial vs Satellite
Passive vs Active
Signal pathway
Absorption
Transmittance
Reflectance
Sensor design
Terrain and Tilt Distortion
Resolution

9. Different Spectral Bands
Sensors gather various kinds of information!
Infrared Image
Of the Dolores
River from 1974
Supplied by the BLM
Can you see the
Cottonwood Trees?
The SPATIAL resolution
is high enough. The
SPECTRAL resolution of
the sensor only needs to be
high enough to distinguish
between red vegetation,
dark water, etc.
Reflectance
Wavelength

10. Spectral Data Box – We want GIS for this!
These
Are a
Simplified
This
Moffat Field Airport, CA

11. LiDAR and RADAR – Active systems

12. Bathymetry, Altimetry and MODIS Imagery
(Today’s Remotely Sensed Layers)
Bathymetry – topography of the ocean floor
Soundings
Satellite Radar
Altimetry – topography of land
Air Pressure
Sonic measurements
Radar (airplane and satellite)
MODIS = Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiaometer
True Color Imagery

13. ArcGIS bits we will see in our exercise today
Data View vs. Layout View
Scale bar
North arrow
(Legend)
Working with raster and vector data
Peek into ArcToolbox
Conversion Tools
Spatial Analyst Tools

14. Thursday - Geodesy and Projections
Questions?