INTRODUCTION TO REMOTE

SENSING & GEOGRAPHICAL

INFORMATION SYSTEM
In the world of geospatial science, Remote Sensing also know as the
earth observation. Remote Sensing is made from two words Remote
and Sensing. ‘Remote’ means far away and ‘sensing’ means
acquiring some information.
National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA): Remote sensing is the
technique of deriving information about objects on the surface of the
earth without physically coming into connect with them.

Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS): Remote sensing is the

science of acquiring information about the earth’s surface without
actually being in contact with it. This is done by sensing and
recording reflected or emitted energy and processing, analyzing and
applying that information.
 REMOTE SENSING PROCESS

Radiation by energy source: the first requirement for remote sensing is to have
an energy sources that illuminates or radiates electromagnetic energy to the
target of interest. Sun is the natural sources of energy and it is in the form of
EMR.

Interaction of energy with atmosphere: As the energy travels from its sources
to the target, it will come in contact with and interact with atmosphere it passes
through. When the energy sources is the sun, then first of all the energy comes
through vacuum where no interaction happens before interacting with the
earth’s atmosphere.

Interaction of energy with the target: 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. Some amount of incident energy
is then reflected or emitted from the target.
Interaction of energy with atmosphere: As the reflected or emitted energy
travels from its target to the sensing or imaging device, it interacts with the
atmosphere once again.

Recording of energy by sensor: After the energy has been reflected by or

emitted from the target we require a sensor to collect and record the EMR.

Transmission, reception and processing: The energy recorded by the sensor

has to be transmitted, often in electronic form, to a receiving and processing
station on the ground where the data are processed into an image.

Interpretation and Analysis: The processed image is interpreted, visually or

electronically, to extract information about the target of interest.

Application: Finally we apply the information we have been able to extract

from the imagery about the target to better understand it, reveal some new
information or assist in solving a particular problem.
REMOTE SENSING PLATFORMS: The base, stationary or moving on
which remote sensors are mounted is called a platform. Three types of
platforms are existing in remote sensing process.

1.Ground base platform- Tripod stand etc.

2.Atmosphere base platform- balloons, helicopter, aero plane etc.

3. Space –based platform- rocket, satellite

The advantages of using aircrafts as remote sensing platform are –

1. High resolution of data recorded.

2. Possibility of carrying large payloads.
3. Capable of imaging large area economically.
4. Accessibility of remote area.
5. Convenience of selecting different scales.
6. Adequate control at all time.
The geographical information system consists of two distinct
disciplines namely, Geography and Information System.

Geography + Information System

Geography is the science which involves a combination of

physical and cultural disciplines, which are used to describe,
explain and help us to understand our environment and our
relationship with it.
Information System can be defined as an interactive
combination of people, computer hardware and software,
communications device and procedures designed to provide a
continuous flow of information to the people who need
information to make decision or perform analysis.
A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a system of hardware,
software and procedures to facilitate the management,
manipulation, analysis, modeling, representation and display of
geo referenced data to solve complex problems regarding planning
and management of resources.

Arnoff:
A computer based system that provides four sets of
capabilities to handle geo referenced data: data input, data
management, manipulation and analysis and data output.

Peter Burrough:

GIS is a powerful set of tool for collecting, storing, receiving at will,

transforming and displaying spatial data from the real world for
a particular set of purpose.
 COMPONENT OF GIS

Hardware Software

Geographical
Information System

Data
Procedure

Users
 GIS- THREE VIEW OF INFORMATION SYSTEM

DATA BASE OR TABLE VIEW: GIS is a unique kind of data base of the
world a geographic database. It is based on structural database that
describes the world in geographic term.

MAP VIEW: GIS is a set of intelligent maps and other views that show
features and feature relationship on the earth surface. Maps of the
underlying geographic information can be constructed and used to
support queries, analysis and editing of the information.

MODEL VIEW: A GIS is a set of information tools that derive new

geographic database from existing database. By combing data and
applying some analytic rules, we can create a model that helps answer
the question we have posed.
 FUNCTIONS OF GIS
DATA CAPTURE: Data capture is the operation of encoding data for
inclusion into a digital database. Various technique can capture the
information. Map can be digitized, or hand traced with a computer
mouse to collect the coordinates of features. Electronic scanning device
will also convert map features into digital format.
DATA SOURCE: the first requirement for source data involves
knowledge of the locations for the variables. The data sources for GIS
are: Conventional analog map source
Reports and Publication
Aerial remote sensing
Satellite imagery
Field data source
Existing digital map sources
DATA INTEGRATON: A GIS makes it possible to link or integrate
information that is difficult to associate through any other means.
Once we join both type of data (spatial and attribute data) using
any GIS software , our GIS is now ready for use.

ORGANIZAING DATA FOR ANALYSIS: The main uses of GIS are data
analysis and presentation of spatial data. Most GIS software organize
spatial data in a thematic approach that categorize data in vertical layers.
 TECHNICAL AND CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF
GIS THROUGH TIME

Cartography (Including High Quality Drafting)

Computer added design & Computer Graphics

Surveying and Photogram try GIS

Spatial Analysis

Interpolation from Point Data

Remote Sensing Technology

TIME
 LIMITATION OF GIS
GIS has a many beneficial applications, however like other
technological systems, there are also some limitations to its
use.
GIS Data are more expensive than traditional data.
GIS integrates several individual subjects, which
demands proper knowledge on all of integrated subject.
GIS needs specialized computer equipment and software.
 Privacy and security issues can sometimes limit
distribution of data.
 Learning time on GIS software and system can be long.
Data development and maintenance is the most costly
and labour intensive work in GIS field
 APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING & GIS
•Natural recourse Management
•Infrastructural Development
•Utility Services
•Hydrology
•Geology
•Land Use Planning
•Urban Planning
•Disaster management and Mitigation
•Forest cover Mapping