1. Introduction to Remote Sensing

2. A free digital version is available for download in the Education chapter of the CCRS website at www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca

3. Remote-sensing data is often gathered by satellites orbiting the Earth. Different agencies develop and maintain the satellites although they are usually launched by NASA. LANDSAT GOES For instance, LANDSAT is a USGS satellite, GOES are NOAA’s weather satellites, and NPOESS is NOAA’s Environmental satellite.

4. Satellite Launch Sensing Receiving Data Visualization What Is Involved In Remote Sensing Translating data

5. As the Earth rotates, geostationary satellites maintain their position above the same location on the Earth. Types of Satellites by Orbit

6. Polar satellites orbit the Earth from pole to pole thereby seeing the entire Earth as it rotates and the satellite orbits. Types of Satellites by Orbit

7. from the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing WATCHING OVER OUR PLANET FROM SPACE Hands-on activities for young people on monitoring the Earth’s environment using remote sensing The following information is taken from Free download at www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca

8. What is Remote Sensing? What senses do we use remotely … if we watch a football game from the stands? … smell freshly baked bread? … hear a telephone ring? Remote means far away. Remote Sensing means sensing things from a distance. What are our other two senses and why aren’t they used “remotely”?

9. We use remote sensing to observe the Earth with sensors from high above its surface. Sensors use not only visible light but also other bands of the electromagnetic spectrum such as  Infrared  Radar  Ultraviolet.

10. Remote sensing is often done from space using satellites. Because they are so high up, these sensors can make images of a very large area.

11. Hundreds of images are sent every day from the satellites to receiving stations on Earth. The Earth’s entire surface is imaged every week or so.

12. Who Uses Remote Sensing and Why? “Face” on Mars

13. The geographer… who looks for changes on the Earth’s surface that need to be mapped

14. The forester… who needs information about what types of trees are growing and if they have been affected by disease, fire, or pollution

15. The farmer… who wants to keep an eye on how his crops are growing and if they’ve been affected by drought, floods, disease, or pests

16. who needs to find the best route through the northern ice packs. The ship captain…

17. The geologist… who is interested in finding oil and valuable minerals

18. The firefighter… who sends out his crews based on information about the size and movement of a forest fire

19. And there are many more ways to use remote sensing….

20. What Can You See on a Satellite Image? You see the things that you could see with your eyes or a camera if you were looking down from space.

21. What Can You See on a Satellite Image? Because we cannot see in parts of the electromagnetic spectrum like infrared, ultraviolet or microwave, we must use colors we can see to represent this kind of information. That’s why many remote sensing images have strange colors.

22. A. Tall buildings and their shadows B. Bridges C. Residential street patterns D. A large stadium E. Marinas for small boats F. A ship and its wake In this view of downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, you can see:

23. A. A large river B. A small, meandering river C. Farm fields with crops D. Farms fields showing bare ground E. Forest F. Roads G. Small ponds Near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, you can see:

24. A. Standing forest B. Recent forest clearcut C. Older forest clearcut D. Deep river valley E. Logging roads F. Swamp Near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, you can see:

25. A. A river carrying sediment into the Basin B. Shallow water areas C. Deep water areas D. Clouds and their shadows E. Forests In the Minas Basin of Nova Scotia, you can see:

26. Why Does Remote Sensing Work So Well? A satellite scans a very large area within seconds. A satellite can acquire repeated views of the same area that can be compared. Remote sensing tells us exactly what is there. It gives us reliable and accurate information. Remote sensing information is mostly digital and can be analyzed by computer.

27. Remote Sensing Limitations Not enough resolution Not enough information How to verify GLOBE Investigations Fills in the gaps Provides detailed information Verifies accuracy of remote imaging; called “ground truth”-ing

28. For Help: AMSTI-GLOBEThe GLOBE Program www.amsti.org/globewww.amsti.org/globe www.globe.govwww.globe.gov Lynn Vaughan AMSTI-GLOBE Resource Specialist lynn@amsti.org Robin NelsonJerry CobbsAMSTI-GLOBE AdministratorTechnology Specialist robin@amsti.orgjerry@amsti.org