Remote Sensing

Definition
Remote sensing is a technology used for obtaining information
about a target through the analysis of data acquired from the target
at a distance.
It is composed of three parts:
• The targets - objects or phenomena in an area
• The data acquisition - through certain instruments
• The data analysis - again by some devices.
Remote sensing data acquisition can be conducted on such
platforms as aircraft, satellites, balloons, rockets, space shuttles, etc.
Inside or on-board these platforms, sensors are used collect data.
Sensors include aerial photographic cameras and non-photographic
instruments, such as radiometers, electro-optical scanners, radar
systems, etc.
Basic components of remote sensing

The overall process of remote sensing can be broken down into

five components. These components are:
1. An energy source
2. The interaction of this energy with particles in the
atmosphere
3. Subsequent interaction with the ground target
4. Energy recorded by a sensor as data, and
5. Data displayed digitally for visual and numerical
interpretation.
Figure 1 illustrates the basic elements of airborne and satellite
remote sensing systems.
• Energy Source or Illumination (A) - fundamental requirement for remote
sensing system
• Radiation and the Atmosphere (B) - energy will come in contact with and
interact with the atmosphere it passes through - may take place a second time
as the energy travels from the target to the sensor.
• Interaction with the Target (C) - once the energy makes its way to the target
through the atmosphere, it interacts with the target in a manner depending on
the properties of both the target and the radiation.
• Recording of Energy by the Sensor (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 (hard copy and/or digital).
• Interpretation and Analysis (F) - the processed image is interpreted, visually
and/or digitally, to extract information about the target
• 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.
 Advantages of Remote Sensing
1. Satellite images are permanent records, providing useful information in
various wavelengths.
2. Large area coverage enables regional surveys on a variety of themes and
identification of large features.
3. Repetitive coverage allows monitoring of dynamic themes like water,
agriculture etc.
4. Easy data acquisition at different scales and resolutions.
5. A single remotely sensed image can be analysed and interpreted for
different purposes and applications.
6. Amenability of remotely sensed data for fast processing using a
computer.
7. Remote Sensing is unobstructive if the sensor is passively recording the
electromagnetic energy reflected from or emitted by the phenomena of
interest.
Thus, passive remote sensing does not disturb the object or area of
interest.
8. The images are analysed in the laboratory thus reducing the
amount of field work.
9. Map revision at medium to small scales is economical and faster.
10. Colour composite can be produced from three individual band
images, which provide better details of the area than a single band
image or aerial photograph.
11. Flods over a large region, or the forest fire can be located from
above and rescue planning can be immediately arranged.
12. the inaccessible areas like volcanic eruption, failure of dam over
river, etc. can be covered by the remote sensing techniques to
study the intensity of disaster.
13. The data generated by remote sensing techniques can be used for
: land-use planning, forest development, geological surveys, urban
planning, disaster management.

14. Cheap and rapid method of constructing base maps in the

absence of detailed land surveys.
15. It is the only practical way to obtain data from inaccessible
regions, e.g. Antarctica, Amazonia.
• You're sitting comfortably on your sofa, and your favourite TV show
is over. What's on next isn't something you want to watch, so you
reach for the TV remote. That technology has made life more
convenient, This timeline will apprise you of the important
milestones in the invention of this amazing Remote Sensing.
Disadvantages of Remote sensing
1. Expensive for small areas, particularly for one time analysis.
2. Requires specialized training for analysis of images.
3. Large scale engineering maps cannot be prepared from satellite data.
4. Aerial photographs are costly if repetitive photographs are required
to study the dynamic features.
5. Human beings select the most appropriate sensor to collect the data,
specify the resolution of the data, calibrate the sensor, select the
platform that will carry the sensor, determine when the data will be
collected and specify how the data will be processed. Thus, human
method produced error may be introduced.
6. Powerful active remote sensing system, such as radars or lasers that
emit their own EMR (electromagnetic radiation), can be intrusive and
affect the phenomenon being investigated.
7. Remote Sensing instruments often become uncalibrated, resulting in
uncalibrated remote sensing data.

8. Distinct phenomena can be confused if they look the same to the

sensor, leading to classification error. Example: artificial & natural grass
in green light (but infrared light can easily distinguish them).

9. Phenomena which were not meant to be measured (for the

application at hand) can interfere with the image and must be accounted
for. Examples for land cover classification: atmospheric water vapor, sun
vs. shadow (these may be desirable in other applications).