Lecture 1
Introduction to Remote Sensing
Ananya Roy
Lecturer
Environmental Science and Engineering
Remote Sensing
• Remote sensing is the process of detecting and
monitoring the physical characteristics of an area by
measuring its reflected and emitted radiation at a
distance.
• Special cameras collect remotely sensed images, which
help researchers "sense" things about the Earth.
• Sensing of energy emanating from earth’s surface is
measured by a sensor mounted on an aircraft or
spacecraft
• Energy sources: Sun and platform
• In principle, any energy coming from the earth’s
surface can be used to form an image
History of RS
• As the practice of remote sensing focuses on the examination
of images of the Earth’s surface, remote origins lie in the
beginnings of the practice of photography.
• Early attempts to form photographic images date from the
early 1800s, when a number of scientists, conducted
experiments with photosensitive chemicals.
• In 1858, aerial photo acquired using a tethered balloon.
• The use of powered aircraft in 1909 as platforms for aerial
photography formed the next milestone.
• During World War I (1914–1918) earliest efforts for aerial reconnaissance
relied upon notes and sketches recorded by aerial observers in the rear
cockpit. Soon, it subsequently replaced by early handheld aerial cameras
required manual transfer of glass or metal plates.
• Interwar Years (1919–1939), aerial photography used in scientific inquiry
and practical applications (record, monitor and guide environmental
planning and economic development).
• Vertical aerial photographs (previously it was lateral) and applications of
panchromatic film.
• World War II (1939–1945) During the war years, use of the
electromagnetic spectrum extended from almost exclusive emphasis on
the visible spectrum to other regions, most notably the infrared and
microwave regions
• Cold War (1940-1960) applied color infrared film to advance its
applications for analysis of terrain, vegetation, and coastal environments.
Focused on multispectral imagery
• Stereoscopic plotting instrument designed to prepare topographic maps to
derive accurate elevation data from aerial photography (1957).
History of RS
• The Space Age (1960s–1980s): Sputonik 1, Weather Satellite TIROS
1, Landsat 1 started base for modern remote sensing
• Advances in Technology (1980s–2000s): Digital imaging,
Commercial Satellite, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and LiDAR
technologies were introduced, allowing remote sensing to
penetrate cloud cover and measure topography with precision
• Modern Remote Sensing (2000s–Present): Modern satellites like
WorldView and Sentinel provide extremely high-resolution images,
useful for detailed environmental monitoring, urban planning,
agriculture, and disaster response. artificial intelligence (AI) and
machine learning are now being used to process and analyze the
vast amount of data gathered through remote sensing, unmanned
vehicle (drone) are highly used.
Application
• This technology is used in numerous fields like geography,
hydrology, ecology, oceanography, glaciology, geology.
• Large forest fires can be mapped from space, allowing
rangers to see a much larger area than from the ground.
• Tracking clouds to help predict the weather or
• Watching erupting volcanoes, and help watching for dust
storms.
• Tracking the growth of a city and changes in farmland or
forests over several years or decades.
• Discovery and mapping of the rugged topography of the
ocean floor (e.g., huge mountain ranges, deep canyons, and
the “magnetic striping” on the ocean floor).
Elements of Remote sensing
There are three essential elements for Remote
Sensing :
• A platform to hold the instrument
• A target or object
• An instrument or sensor
Types of Sensor
• Active sensor: Sensor creates and emits own energy, which is
detected and measure when it reflects from the object.
Example: Radar, Camera
• Passive sensor: Sensor detect and measure electromagnetic
energy (energy from sun) as it reflected and radiated from
earth surface.
