1. Introduction & History
GEO 420
Dr. Garver

2. 7 elements of remote sensing process
Energy Source (A)
Radiation & Atmosphere (B)
Interaction with Targets (C)
Recording of Energy by Sensor (D)
Transmission & Reception (E)
Interpretation and Analysis (F)
Application (G)

3. What is remote sensing?
remote sensing (v) the science of deriving information about the earth's land, atmosphere and water areas from images acquired at a distance.
Relies on measurement of electromagnetic energy reflected or emitted from the features of interest.

4. Synoptic
Main Entry: syn·op·tic Function: adjective Etymology: Greek synoptikos, from synopsesthai 1 : affording a general view of a whole 2 : manifesting or characterized by comprehensiveness or breadth of view 3 : relating to or displaying conditions (as of the atmosphere or weather) as they exist simultaneously over a broad area

5. Tornadoes - F-5 - largest and most powerful classification - winds 300 m/h.
TGOES-East weather satellite produces images of most of U. S. every 30 min. in vis and IR wavelengths.

6. Main Entry: res·o·lu·tion
Pronunciation: "re-z&-'lü-sh&n” Function: noun
the process or capability of making distinguishable the individual parts of an object, closely adjacent optical images, or sources of light.
the point in a literary work at which the chief dramatic complication is worked out.

7. What are R.S. Images Used For?
Unique view of our planet.
Remote sensing allows us to examine, in unprecedented detail, characteristics of our atmosphere, oceans, and land areas.
Use sensors to view the spectral and spatial relations of objects at a distance.

8. 1. Atmosphere – weather forecasting

9. 2. Land Areas

10. 3. Oceans
CZCS

11. 1850s- balloonists took pictures of ground using newly invented photo-camera.
First known aerial photograph was obtained by Gaspard Felix Tournachon (Nadar) from a tethered balloon 1,700-ft. above Paris, France in 1858.
Took first photographs in 1853 and in 1858 became the first person to take aerial photographs

12. Late 1800s – Early 1900s Pigeon fleet used to carry cameras

13. Aerial photography - reconnaissance tool in WW I and II

14. 1957 - Soviet Union launched Sputnik I
World's first artificial satellite
Size of a basketball, 183 pounds
Ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments.
Start of the space age and
U.S.-U.S.S.R space race.

15. First ever U.S. satellite in Earth orbit designed
to image and monitor weather.
TIROS-1, launched April, 1960 soon after NASA came
into existence.
Image is considered the official start of remote sensing from satellites.

16. First non-photo sensors were television cameras mounted on unmanned spacecraft to look at clouds.
TIROS-1
Superimposed on cloud patterns is a generalized weather map; this kind of data display soon started to appear in television news broadcasts.

17. 1970's – matured - repetitive schedule instruments on
Skylab ( then Space Shuttle)
Landsat - first satellite dedicated to mapping natural and cultural resources on land and ocean surfaces.

18. Landsat Missions Timeline

19. CZCS image of Gulf Stream - April 1982 - warm-core ring.

20. AVHRR - SST

21. Remote sensing has become major tool for monitoring earth/atmosphere system.
BIG BUCKS SPENT on applications for environmental and natural resource management.

22. Huge improvements in;
Computer-based image processing
PC’s can handle large amounts of data
Makes data accessible to universities, govt. agencies, environmental companies, and individuals.