The Fundamental Physics

of Space.
Prof. Idara Akpabio
Department of Physics,
University of Uyo,
Nigeria
idaraakpabio@uniuyo.edu.ng

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 WORKSHOP THEME:
Applications of Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS Technologies for
tackling Environmental Challenges in Nigeria.

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 WORKSHOP THEME:

Applications of Satellite

Remote Sensing
and

GIS Technologies
for tackling Environmental Challenges in Nigeria.

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

Outline

Space Physics
Fundamental Physics of Satellite
Fundamental Physics of Remote Sensing
Fundamental Physics of GIS Technologies
Advances /prospects of Satellites, Remote Sensing and GIS
Technologies (subject of discourse of the workshop)
Conclusion

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 Space Physics
Space is the boundless three-dimensional
extent in which objects and events have
relative position and direction (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1

According to Newton, for a relationship to

exist, there can be no difference between
inertia motion, (with constant velocity), and
non inertia motion, (velocity changes with
time) since all spatial measurements are
relative to other objects and their motions.

Isaac Newton

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 Newton argued that since non-inertial motion generates
forces, it must be absolute.

He used the example of water in a spinning bucket to

demonstrate his argument. Water in a bucket was hung from
a rope and set to spin, starts with a flat surface.

After a while, as the bucket continues to spin, the surface

of the water becomes concave.

If the bucket's spinning is stopped then the surface of the

water remains concave as it continues to spin.

The concave surface is therefore apparently not the result

of relative motion between the bucket and the water. Isaac Newton
Instead, Newton argued, it must be a result of non-inertial
motion relative to space itself.

For several centuries the bucket argument was considered

decisive in showing that space must exist independently of
matter.
2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.
If space must exist independently of matter,

Should Physicist study space?

Since Physics is the study of matter.

Isaac Newton

Subject for another discourse

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 Fundamental Physics of Satellite

• Laws of motion and gravitation

• Satellite motion
• Escape velocity
• Geosynchronous orbit(Telecommunication satellites)

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 Satellite
Smaller body revolving around a larger body

Artificial satellites
Weather , spy , communication
Natural satellites
Moon, planets, comet
Escape velocity
Artificial satellite in a circular orbit around
earth first achieving a speed of 7900m/s.

If speed greater than 7900m/s satellite has a

elliptical orbit.

If velocity greater than 11km/s then satellite

leaves earth’s orbit and has a escape orbit. The
escape orbit’s velocity is called escape velocity.

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 Newton’s laws of motion

I. Law of Inertia

II. F=ma

III. Action-Reaction

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 What is
Gravity?
2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.
 Gravity is a pulling force

It pulls things down towards the earth

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 Things fall because of gravity

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 Why do people not fall off the
earth?

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 Gravity holds everything and
every one on the earth

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 In Space, Gravity keeps the
planets moving around the sun

2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.

 Satellite motion
A satellite is often thought of as being a In the absence of gravity or any other
projectile which is orbiting the Earth. force, a satellite would move in a straight
line path tangent to the Earth.
But how can a projectile orbit the
Earth? Doesn't a projectile accelerate
towards the Earth under the influence of
gravity?

Wouldn't any projectile ultimately fall

towards the Earth and collide with the
Earth, thus ceasing its orbit?

Considerations:
First, an orbiting satellite is a projectile
in the sense that the only force acting on
it is the force of gravity. This is the law of inertia. The force of
gravity acts upon a high speed satellite to
Most Earth-orbiting satellites are deviate its trajectory from a straight-line
orbiting at a distance high above the inertial path.
Earth such that their motion is unaffected
by forces of air resistance. Fundamental Physics of
2015 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF SPACE.
Satellite.
 Must not forget conclusions of
Physics fundamentals of Satellite.
A satellite does fall towards the Earth; only it never falls into the
Earth.

The Earth flattens at the poles and curves approximately 5m

downward for every 8000m along its horizon.

In order for a satellite to successfully orbit the Earth, it must

travel a horizontal distance of 8000m before falling a vertical
distance of 5m.

A horizontally launched projectile falls a vertical distance of 5m

in its first second of motion.

When launched at this speed, the projectile will fall towards the
Earth with a trajectory which matches the curvature of the Earth.
 So how can we understand orbital motion?
Example

Earth’s
curvature
Launch Speed < 8000 m/s Launch Speed equal to 8000 m/s
Projectile falls to Earth Projectile orbits Earth - Circular Path

Launch Speed > 8000 m/s

Projectile orbits Earth -
Elliptical Path
Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO)

Orbit is synchronous with the

earths rotation.
From the ground the satellite
appears fixed.
Altitude is about 22,300 miles or
36,000Km.
Coverage to 40% of planet per
satellite.
 Fundamental Physics of Remote sensing

“The art, science, and technology of obtaining information about objects and the
environment, through the process of recording, measuring, and interpreting imagery and
digital representation of energy patterns derived from non contact sensor system " .
– via cameras recording on film, which may then be scanned (aerial photos)
– via sensors, which directly output digital data (satellite imagery)
 What is remote sensing?

The acquisition of information about an object without

being in physical contact with it.

Using our eyes to read or look at any object is also a

form of remote sensing. However, remote sensing
includes not only what is visual, but also what can’t be
seen with the eyes, including sound and heat.

Information about an object is acquired by detecting

and measuring changes that the object imposes on
the “surrounding field”. The fields can be
electromagnetic, acoustic, or potential.
 Physics Processes in Remote Sensing Applications
The process involves an interaction between incident radiation & targets of interest.

(A) Energy Source or Illumination

(B) Radiation and the Atmosphere
(C) Interaction with the Target
(D) Recording of Energy by the Sensor
(E) Transmission, Reception, & Processing
(F) Interpretation and Analysis
(G) Application
A - energy source which illuminates or provides electromagnetic energy to the target of interest.

B – as energy travels from source to target, it comes in contact with and interact with the
atmosphere it passes through.

C - once the energy makes its way to the target through the atmosphere, it interacts with the
target depending on the properties of both the target and the radiation.

D - after the energy has been scattered by, or emitted from the target, we require a sensor (remote - not in
contact with the target) to collect and record the electromagnetic radiation.

Transmission, Reception, and Processing (E) - the energy recorded by the sensor has to be transmitted,
often in electronic form, to a receiving and processing station where the data are processed into an image
(hardcopy and/or digital).

Interpretation and Analysis (F) - the processed image is interpreted, visually and/or digitally or electronically,
to extract information about the target which was illuminated.

Application (G) - the final element of the remote sensing process is achieved when we apply the information
we have been able to extract from the imagery about the target in order to better understand it, reveal
some new information, or assist in solving a particular problem.
 Illumination - Electromagnetic Radiation
The first requirement for remote sensing is to have an energy source to illuminate the target
(unless the sensed energy is being emitted by the target). This energy is in the form of
electromagnetic radiation.

Typically, “remote sensing” is used in connection with electromagnetic techniques

spanning the spectrum from low frequency radio waves to microwave, sub-mm,
far infrared, near infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma-ray regions.
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 Electromagnetic Spectrum
Ranges from the shorter wavelengths (including gamma and x-rays) to the longer
wavelengths (including microwaves and broadcast radio waves).

There are several regions of the em spectrum which are useful for remote sensing.
 Ultraviolet Spectrum (UV)
UV portion of the spectrum has
the shortest wavelengths which
are practical for remote sensing.

This radiation is just beyond the

violet portion of the visible
wavelengths, hence its name.

Some Earth surface materials,

primarily rocks and minerals,
fluoresce or emit visible light
when illuminated by UV
radiation.
O. Kilic EE543
Visible Spectrum

The light which our eyes - our "remote

sensors" - can detect is part of the
visible spectrum.

longer

O. Kilic EE543
higher frequency
 Remote sensing
Basic processes
Satellite
• Data acquisition (energy propagation, platforms)
• Processing (conversion of energy pattern to
images)
• Analysis (quantitative and qualitative analysis)
• Accuracy assessment (radiometric and
geometric correction)
• Information distribution to users (hard copy,
CCT, CD-ROM, X-BYTE)

Distribution
Receiving station
processing

Archiving
 Radiation-Target Interactions
Radiation that is not absorbed or scattered in the atmosphere can reach and
interact with the Earth's surface.

There are three forms of interaction that can take place when energy strikes, or is
incident (I) on the surface:

Absorption (A) occurs when

radiation (energy) is absorbed into
the target.

Transmission (T) occurs when

radiation passes through a target.

Reflection (R) occurs when

radiation "bounces" off the target
and is redirected.
 Reflection

In remote sensing, we are most interested in measuring the radiation reflected from
targets. We refer to two types of reflection, which represent the two extreme ends
of the way in which energy is reflected from a target: specular reflection and
diffuse reflection.
Specular vs Diffuse
When a surface is smooth, we get specular or mirror-like reflection where all (or
almost all) of the energy is directed away from the surface in a single direction.

Diffuse reflection occurs when the surface is rough and the energy is reflected almost
uniformly in all directions.

specular diffuse
 Using all these to sense remotely…

• Depending on the complex make-up of the target that is being

looked at, and the wavelengths of radiation involved, we can
observe very different responses to the mechanisms of
absorption, transmission, and reflection.

• By measuring the energy that is reflected (or emitted) by

targets on the Earth's surface over a variety of different
wavelengths, we can build up a spectral response for that
object.

• By comparing the response patterns of different features we

may be able to distinguish between them, where we might
not be able to, if we only compared them at one wavelength.
 Remote sensing – how to distinguish
between targets?
• Water and vegetation may reflect
somewhat similarly in the visible
wavelengths but are almost
always separable in the infrared.
• Spectral response can be quite
variable, even for the same target
type, and can also vary with time
(e.g. "green-ness" of leaves) and
location.
• Knowing where to "look"
spectrally and understanding the
factors which influence the
spectral response of the features
of interest are critical to correctly
interpreting the interaction of
electromagnetic radiation with
the surface.
Advantages of remote sensing
Remote sensing applications
• Provides a regional view (large areas)
• Land-use mapping.
• Provides repetitive looks at the same
area. • Forest and agriculture applications

• Remote sensors "see" over a broader

• Telecommunication planning
portion of the spectrum than the
human eye.
• Environmental applications
• Sensors can focus in on a very
specific bandwidth in an image or a • Hydrology and coastal mapping
number of bandwidths
simultaneously.
• Urban planning
• Provides geo-referenced, digital, data.
• Emergencies and Hazards
• Some remote sensors operate in all
seasons, at night, and in bad weather
• Global change and Meteorology
Fundamental Physics of Remote Sensing & GIS
 GIS Basics
• Geographic Information System

• Allows the viewing and analysis of

multiple layers of spatially related
information associated with a
geographic region/location

• Both spatial and attribute (tabular)

data are integrated

• The widespread collection and

integration of imagery into GIS has
been made possible through remote
sensing

• With the increasing technological

development of remote sensing, the
development of GIS has
simultaneously accelerated