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Expectations

To develop an understanding of remotely

Introduction to Remote Sensing sensed imagery in relation to its:

Mazzi Lydia Kayondo • 1. Acquisition

LSG 2102 • 2. Processing and
• 3. Interpretation

Details for this Lecture Remote Sensing

• Definition and Applications of Remote Sensing
• History of Remote Sensing
• The Remote Sensing process

What is Remote Sensing Ground based Vs Remote sensing

based
• It’s a data collection technique for datasets mainly used
within a GIS
1. It is the science of acquiring, processing and interpreting
images that record the interaction between
electromagnetic energy and matter
2. It is the science and art of obtaining information about an
object, area or phenomenon through the analysis of data
acquired by a device that is not in contact with the object,
area or phenomenon under investigation
3. It is the instrumentation, techniques and methods to
observe the earth’s surface at a distance and to interpret Measurement and
the images or numerical values obtained in order to acquire analysis are
meaningful information of particular objects on earth performed on
image data

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Definition of Remote Sensing Remote sensing requires ground data

 Remote sensing is the acquisition of information
about an object or phenomenon, without making
physical contact with the object.
 In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use
of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify
objects on Earth (both on the surface, and in
the atmosphere and oceans) by means of propagated
signals (e.g. electromagnetic radiation emitted
from aircraft or satellites or the sun) In most situations, remote sensing based data
acquisition is complemented by ground based
measurements and observations

Why Remote sensing? RS Provides Area covering Data

• Surveying areas where GB methods are
inappropriate –location, time, size, accuracy,
etc.
o Accessibility
o Saves time Cost effective
o Size of Area to be covered with consistency
o Accuracy is relative

Remote Sensing Provides Multi

RS provides Surface Information
Purpose Data
• Upper few millimeters of surface
• Microwave: sometimes greater depths
• Estimate subsurface characteristics with
models
• …

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RS is cost effective? Applications of Remote Sensing

• Environmental applications
Environmental features monitored include:
Compare costs with
extensive ground based data • Land Degradation (Decrease in vegetation
collection! cover, Increase in soil exposure, …)
• Salinity
• Water Pollution (increased soil erosion)
• Afforestation and or De-forestation
• … Many others, etc.

Remote Sensing Applications - Applications of Remote Sensing

Oceanography
Global Monitoring: Environmental features
monitored include:
• Global vegetation cover
• Ocean productivity
• Global biosphere
• Ocean Temperature
• Ozone levels
• Snow and ice
• Atmospheric pollutants
• Wave height and direction
• ….

Applications of Remote Sensing Geological structure and faults

• Marine Mapping / Marine exploration
• Geological Exploration (Mineral structures,
folds and faults)
– Type of rock
– Silica content
– Ground water
–…
• Vegetation mapping/Agriculture/ Forestry

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Applications of Remote Sensing History of Remote Sensing

• Emergency planning & damage assessment, e.g.
– Bush fires
• Photogrammetry (analogue - digital)
– Volcanic eruption • Aerial photography (analogue - digital)
– Flooding • Shift from air planes to satellites. Satellites can
– Storm
cover much more land space than planes and
– oil spill
can monitor areas on a more regular basis
– …
• Sea floor mapping • # From analogue to digital imagery
• Meteorology • # Changes in the Earth’s physical environment
• Military applications • # New methods and technologies for sensing
• Etc, etc, etc, … the earths surface

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The Remote Sensing process eosat2/RS%20History%20II/RS-History-Part-
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