11-08-2017

CLE 2023 4 topics in Unit-1

GIS AND REMOTE SENSING
1) Introduction to Remote Sensing

Unit-1 Basic Concepts of 2) Electromagnetic spectrum and

Remote Sensing radiation

Dr. S. Vasantha Kumar

3) Remote Sensing Platforms
Associate Professor, SCALE
Email: svasanthakumar@vit.ac.in 4) Orbits in Remote Sensing
Ph: 9444050435 1

Simple/General definition of Remote Sensing The simple definition seen before is applicable to
all types of remote sensing like
Acquiring information of things from a far off
Medical Remote Sensing (observing the parts of the
distance. body )
Remote = Far away
Sensing = Observing or acquiring some information

Watching a TV (sense of sight) Satellite Remote Sensing (observing the earth)

Smell freshly cooked curry in the oven (sense of smell)
Hear a calling bell sound (sense of ear)
Feel the smoothness of a sofa (sense of touch)
Eat a mango and feel the sweetness (sense of taste)

Definition of Satellite Remote Sensing

It is the science and art of acquiring information
about the earth surface without actually being
contact with it. This is done by recording the
reflected or emitted energy by means of sensors
located on platforms such as aircraft or spacecraft
and the analysis of acquired information by
means of visual and digital image processing.

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Thermal band for storing the Components of Remote Sensing or

emitted energy Remote Sensing Process

Advantages of Remote Sensing Disadvantages of Remote Sensing

1) Satellite images are permanent records which can 1) It require trained and experienced personal for
be used in future data processing and analysis
2) Since the imagery covers a large area, regional level
studies are possible 2) Commercial softwares are costly
3) Repetitive coverage has an advantage of monitoring 3) Interpretation based solely on remotely sensed
dynamic themes like urban development, forest data should be used with caution unless
fire, etc. supported by ground verification.
4) Easy acquisition over inaccessible areas is possible
5) A single image can be used for different purposes
and applications
6) Map revision is economical, faster and easier

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Types of Remote Sensing Passive and Active 4 topics in Unit-1

Passive record the EM energy 1) Introduction to Remote Sensing
that was reflected or emitted
from the surface of the earth 2) Electromagnetic spectrum and
(Source of energy is sun) radiation

Active create their own energy 3) Remote Sensing Platforms

and are not dependent on the
suns energy.
Eg: Laser scanner, Synthetic 4) Orbits in Remote Sensing
Aperture Radar (SAR)

Electromagnetic (EM) spectrum and

radiation

In 1860, James Clark Maxwell conceptualized EMR as an

electromagnetic energy or wave that travels at the speed of light C = ,
and consists of two fluctuating fields-one electric and other =C/
magnetic perpendicular to each other.

Range of colours in visible portion

Violet = 0.4 to 0.446 m
Blue = 0.446 to 0.5 m
Green = 0.5 to 0.578 m
Yellow = 0.578 to 0.592 m
Orange = 0.592 to 0.620 m
Red = 0.620 to 0.7 m
However, we show only Blue, Green and Red in the
EM spectrum. Why?
Total range of wavelengths extending from gamma rays Because they are the primary colours as all the other
to radio waves is called EM spectrum. Our human eyes colours can be formed by combining blue, green and
can see only visible portion of EM spectrum. red in various proportions.

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Each type of molecule in the atmosphere (O2, CO2

In the EM spectrum, for remote sensing of earth features, we are
mainly interested in the visible, Near Infrared (Near-IR), Shortwave
IR (SWIR), Thermal IR and sometimes microwave band.
Why we use only this portion for remote sensing purposes?
and Ozone) has own set of absorption bands in
various parts of the EM spectrum. As a result,
only the wavelength regions outside the main
absorption bands of the atmospheric gases can
be used for remote sensing purposes. These
regions are known as atmospheric transmission
windows. These windows are found in the
visible, Near-IR, SWIR, Thermal IR and microwave
regions.

Wavelength of bands used in Remote sensing

Visible = 0.4 to 0.7 m (Blue ,Green and Red)

Near IR = 0.7 to 1.3 m
SWIR = 1.3 to 3 m
Thermal IR = 3 to 5 m and 8-14 m
Microwave = 1 mm to 1m.

EMR interaction in the terrain

EM energy when touches the earth surface it can be
either absorbed, transmitted or reflected from the
earth surface.

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Radiant flux
The amount of radiant energy onto (absorb), off
(reflectance) or through (transmit) a surface per
unit time is called radiant flux. That is,

(Radiant budget equation)

Reflectance in % for various earth features is

called as spectral reflectance curves

4 topics in Unit-1
1) Introduction to Remote Sensing

2) Electromagnetic spectrum and

radiation

3) Remote Sensing Platforms

4) Orbits in Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing Platforms

Baloons
In order for a remote sensor to collect and
record energy reflected or emitted from Baloons are inexpensive and
the surface of the earth, it must reside on are mostly used for studying
the meteorological factors
a stable platform away from the target or
such as wind velocity,
surface being observed. direction, etc.

Platforms may be airborne (baloons and

aircrafts) or space borne (satellites)

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Aircrafts The aircraft captures same area twice with

Camera is placed in the aircrafts to take photographs
of a given area (Photogrammetry)
sufficient overlapping area

Overlap
32

The minimum overlap should be 60 per cent in

forward direction and 20-40 per cent in lateral Get 3-D view using a stereoscope and
direction to get 3D 33
overlapping photographs !!! 34

Aerial survey results in a product called Digital

Elevation Model (DEM) Sample aerial photo

35

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Space borne platform (satellites)

4 topics in Unit-1
1) Introduction to Remote Sensing

2) Electromagnetic spectrum and

radiation

3) Remote Sensing Platforms

4) Orbits in Remote Sensing

Advantage of satellites is repetitive coverage is possible
which is not the case in aerial photography.

Orbits in Remote Sensing Geostationary orbit

Satellites are placed in the equatorial plane at an
The path (course of motion) followed by altitude of 36000 km which revolve at speeds which
matches with the earth rotation.
a satellite in space is called as orbit.

2 types of orbits
Geostationary orbit
Sun synchronous orbit
Since the satellite move at the same speed of the
earth, it view the same portion of the earth surface
all the times. Thats why it is called as
geostationary orbit.

Are satellites in geostationary orbit are useful Sun synchronous orbit

for remote sensing of earth features?
Satellite is revolving in a near
north-south orbital plane at
an altitude of 700-900 km
and made sun-synchronous.

Satellite travels northwards

on one side (ascending pass)
and southwards (descending
No, only weather and communication satellites pass) on the other side.
(INSAT series) are placed in geostationary orbits.

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The ascending pass is on the shadowed side of the Why Sun-synchronous?

earth while the descending pass is one the sunlit Satellite cross each area of the world at a constant
side. local time of the day called local sun time. That is at
any given latitude, the position of the sun in the sky
as the satellite passes overhead will be the same.
Thats why it is called as sun-synchronous.

Video on sun-

Sensors record reflected solar energy on the synchronous

orbit
descending pass when solar illumination is available
while it records the emitted (thermal radiation)
energy on the ascending pass.

Swath
As the satellite revolves around the earth, the
sensor sees a certain portion of the earth surface.
The total width of the area on the ground covered
by the sensor is called swath or field of view.

The point directly beneath the sensor is called

as nadir point.

Specifications of Landsat satellites