Remote Sensing Basics

Abstract

This chapter consists of procedures and principles used to achieve remotely sensed data and information. Characteristics of electromagnetic radiation, energy transmission, radiance flux, and the scattering of electromagnetic radiation are essential components of remote sensing. Sensors that can gather more information and that are used for passive remote sensing will be helpful for a better understanding of remotely sensed information. Illustrated here are various types of platforms, but the satellite is the most pulsating platform for remote sensing.

Remote sensing is discussed in this chapter. Active and passive remote sensing satellites (based on the source of energy) also are described. Regions of atmosphere that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation, that is, the atmospheric window, is an important criterion to develop remote sensing technology. There is an inverse relationship between spatial resolution and swath width. The best spatial resolution is for GeoEye, IKNOS when compared to an NOAA satellite. Steps to follow for identification of images and the remote sensing classification based on wavelength region are highly beneficial for various applications of remote sensing used to examine the natural process. Radiometric processing, image classification, and image interpretation also are discussed. This chapter presents different techniques to effectively process and understand remote sensing digital data so as to enrich geospatial technology.