e d u s p a c e

Remote Sensing Principles

	Remote Sensing Principles [ ]
	This Introduction to Earth Observation is aimed at the students of upper secondary schools. The purpose is to introduce the most basic facts and methods of Earth Observation.
	Introduction [ ]
	These pages are specifically targeted at those who do not feel very confident about Remote Sensing concepts. This section includes definitions of several terms, many examples taken from real situations and questions/answers exercises and much more.
	Mapping and Satellite Data [ ]
	A simple example of traditional chorological (ie the systematic description of regions or districts) mapping methods is used to show some fundamental principles of satellite images. Histogram, pixel and classification are introduced.
	Remote Sensing [ ]
	Remote sensing means measuring an object at a distance without physical contact with it. In this section, fundamentals such as spectral signatures, vegetation mapping, area classification and atmospheric interference of this technique are introduced.
	History of Earth Observation [ ]
	The history of Earth Observation is presented starting with aerial photographs and moving on to multispectral scanners and radar sensors.
	Satellite Orbits [ ]
	Geostationary orbit and solar synchronous orbits and their application are discussed in this section.
	Weather Satellites [ ]
	Weather satellites have helped to improve forecasts as they allow atmospheric features such as clouds to be tracked globally. But it has been discovered that they are very useful for observing the Earth's surface as well. The METEOSAT and the NOAA weather satellite systems are discussed below.
	Resource Satellites [ ]
	Resource satellites are designed for mapping surface features on the Earth. LANDSAT, SPOT, ERS, ENVISAT, RESURS and the IKONOS system are presented with a discussion of their applications.
	Viewgraphs [ ]
	The basic physical concepts underlying Remote Sensing are explained with the help of some relatively simple viewgraphs. These have been created and are made available to help teach remote sensing. They will be useful in several school subjects including Geography, Physics, Mathematics and are related to serveral themes (eg. Energy, Light, Atmosphere). Feel free to download them and to make use of them.