Remote Sensing

This comprehensive guide explores the science of what is Remote Sensing, a technology used to gather information about objects, areas, or phenomena without direct physical contact. The content covers the fundamental principles, components, and processes involved in remote sensing, from the detection of electromagnetic energy to the interpretation of collected data.

It highlights how remote sensing utilizes multispectral analysis through satellites and sensors to study Earth’s surface, contributing to fields like natural resource management and weather forecasting. The guide also explains key elements such as energy sources, interaction with the atmosphere, and data processing techniques, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding modern remote sensing systems what is Remote Sensing.

what is remote sensing

what is remote sensing Remote sensing is the science of collecting information about the object, area or phenomenon without making any physical contact with the object. Humans with their noses, eyes, and cars are constantly smelling, sensing and hearing things from their surroundings. So they also have the quality of remote sensing. In order to study the areas, object or phenomenon on the surface of the earth, which is commonly known as target, remote sensing is the most popular technique Remote Sensing.

Conventionally, what is Remote Sensing detects the feature of the earth’s surface by analysing and interpreting the multispectral electromagnetic radiations emitted or reflected by the surface of the earth. For analysing these different wavelengths, scanners are used, which situated at various platforms like aircrafts, satellites, etc.

Aerial photographs within the visible range of the electromagnetic wavelength was the original form of remote sensing. With the advancement of technology, the collection of information is extended to other wavelengths like near infrared, thermal infrared and microwave. This multispectral data collection makes remote sensing a very dependable and reliable system in collection of information. The capacity of remote sensing has expanded to a great extent with the help of different satellites during the last few years.

The study of various phenomena, with the help of satellite-based information that changes continuously over the time in remote areas on the earth’s surface, is known as natural resource management. Nowadays, it is an important part of remote sensing.

A. Principle of Remote Sensing

what is Remote Sensing Principle The detection and discrimination of the targets or to collect the information about the surface features of the earth basically refers to the recording and analysis of electromagnetic energy that is reflected or emitted by the target object. The amount of reflected energy is different for different objects depending upon their physical, chemical and structural properties which is known as spectral signature.

what is Remote Sensing Principle The analysis of multispectral bands of electromagnetic energy for collecting information requires knowledge of optics, photography and spectroscopy with computer interfacing. This integrated approach of analysis and recommendation about the target on the earth’s surface is termed remote sensing system.

B. Components of Remote Sensing

what is Remote Sensing Components Remote sensing is the most popular and common method of data collection over the world. The basic mechanisms or techniques are more or less same and, therefore, the different components which make this system successful are also the same. It is understood that there are four fundamental components of remote sensing. They are as follows:

1. A target,
2. An energy source,
3. A transmission path through atmosphere, and
4. A sensor.

The target is nothing but an object on the earth’s surface, to be studied without any physical contact. There should be a source which illuminates or provides electromagnetic waves to the target. The amount and type of this electromagnetic wave or energy radiated and emitted back from the target object depends upon the spectral signature of the object. The radiating energy passing through the atmosphere is collected in a sensor located at a remote place from the object.

what is Remote Sensing Components The collected data by the sensor in the form of electromagnetic energy is then transmitted to a station located on the earth’s surface, where it is processed digitally. The processed data is then interpreted with the help of computer software to predict the actual features of the target of interest.

Weather forecasting is a very popular example of remote sensing. Here, the target is the earth’s surface. The source of energy comes from the sun. The incoming source of electromagnetic energy falls over the surface of the earth and heat energy (infrared radiation) is radiated back to the sensor located in the satellite or any other platform located far away from the earth’s surface. The energy travels through the atmosphere both at the time of emission and reflection what is Remote Sensing Components.

After collecting the infrared radiation by the sensor, it returns back to the collecting station located over the earth’s surface. The data are analysed here with the help of spectrophotometer and computer-supported software system. The analysed data then gives the status of the temperature at the different parts of the planet.

C. Process of Remote Sensing

what is Remote Sensing Process The process of remote sensing for acquiring information about the target, or even the earth’s surface, comprises seven elements. The interaction between the incident radiation and reflected radiation of energy with the atmosphere is very important. what is Remote Sensing Process The entire process is described in The following are the seven important elements of remote sensing:

1. Energy Source or Illumination

The most important element of remote sensing is a source of energy from where electromagnetic energy is incident upon the target. Sun is the the very good example of energy source.

2. Interaction of Radiation with Atmosphere

The energy travels from the energy source to the target and from the target to the sensor. For both the incidents, the electromagnetic energy comes in close contact with the atmosphere. The interaction between the energy and the atmosphere passing through is also an element of the remote sensing system.

3. Interaction with the Target

After generating from the energy source, the electromagnetic radiation passes through the atmosphere and interacts with the target. This interaction is the function of spectral signature of the object.

4. Recording of Energy by the Sensor

The incident radiation is partially absorbed, scattered, reflected and emitted by the object. This reflected or emitted radiation is transmitted to the sensor, located at a remote place from the object, for its record.

5. Transmission, Reflection and Processing

The data in the sensor is collected generally in electronic form. It is then processed and transmitted to the collection station on the earth’s surface, where it is received and processed digitally.

6. Interpretation and Analysis

The collected data in digital form is processed with the help of highly sophisticated instruments electronically and final interpretation is done by computer software.

7. Application

The last and final element of remote sensing is its application after getting information about the target.

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