Question – Answer
1. Define remote sensing?
Ans.
i) Remote sensing is the science and art of obtaining information about an
object, area or phenomena, through the analysis of data, acquired by a
device, that is not in contact with the object, area or phenomena under
investigation.
ii) It is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon without
making physical contact with the object. (Lintz & Simonett)
iii) The term remote sensing refers to methods that employ electromagnetic
energy, such as light, heat and radio ways, as the means of detecting and
measuring target characteristics. (Sabins F. F. - 1996)
2. What are the essential components of a remote sensing system?
Ans. The essential components of a remote sensing system are
(1) A uniform energy source-This would provide energy on all wavelengths so as to produce
high level out put irrespective of time and place.
(ii) A non-interfering atmosphere-This type of atmosphere would not modify the energy
from the source.
(iii) A series of unique energy/matter interactions at the earths surface-These interactions
would generate reflected or emitted signals which are not only selective with respect to
wavelength but also are in variant and unique to each and every earth surface feature.
(iv) A super sensor-A sensor highly sensitive to all wavelengths, yielding spatially detailed
data on the absolute brightness (radiance) from a scene as a function of wavelength through
out the spectrum.
(v) A real time data handling system - In this system as soon as the would be processed in to
an interpretable format and then recognized as radiance vs wavelength responses over a
terrain element is generated it unique to the particular terrain element from which it is
received.
3. What is different between active remote sensing and passive remote
sensing?
Active Remote Sensing Passive Remote Sensing
Energy Sources It generates and uses its They depend on solar
own energy to illuminate radiation to illuminate the
the target and records the target
reflected energy.
Region of spectrum in which These systems operate in They operate in the visible
they operate the microwave region of the and infrared region of the
electromagnetic spectrum. electromagnetic spectrum.
Wavelength Their wavelengths are Their wavelengths range
longer than one mm. from 0.4 to 10 qm
Reliance on solar irradiance They do not rely on They rely on detection of
detection of solar or solar emission.
terrestrial emissions, as the
microwave region is
negligible.
Example Synthetic aperture radar. Any electromagnetic remote
sensing system (camera
without flash light)
4. What are the general processes involved in electromagnetic remote
sensing?
Ans. The two main processes involved in passive or electromagnetic remote sensing are
(1) Data acquisition. The data acquisition processes comprises distinctive elements namely:
(a) Energy sources.
(b) Propagation of energy through the atmosphere.
(c) Energy interactions with the earths surface features.
(d) Air borne, space borne, sensors to record the reflected energy.
(e) Generation of sensor data as pictorial or digital information.
(ii) Data analysis. Data analysts can be broadly classified as
(a) Visual image interpretation-This involves the examination of data with various
viewing instrument to analyze pictoral data.
(b) Digital data then the process is called digital image processing. (b) Digital image
processing-When computers are used to analyze
5. What are the different platforms used in remote sensing?
Ans. ‘’The vehicle or carrier for a remote sensor to collect and record energy reflected or
emitted from a target or surface is called a platform’’.
Platforms may be ground based platform, air borne and space borne, depending on the
objects under study on the earth surface.
i) Ground based platform - Ground-based sensors are often used to record detailed
information about the surface which is compared with data collected from aircraft or
satellite sensors.
In some cases, this can be used to better characterize the target being imaged
by these other sensors, making it possible to better understand the information
in the imagery.
To study the properties of a single plant or a small patch of grass, a ground-
based platform is used (hand-held or mounted on a tripod).
Ground observation platforms are used to record detailed information about
the objects or features of the earth’s surface. These are developed for the
scientific understanding on the signal-object and signal-sensor interactions.
Ground observation includes both the laboratory and field study, used for both
in designing sensors and identification and characterization of land features.
Ground observation platforms include- handheld platforms, cherry pickers,
towers, portable masts, vehicles, etc.
ii) Air borne platforms - Balloons and aircrafts are broadly grouped under air borne
platforms.
(a) Balloons-The use of balloons is commonly restricted by meteorological factors such as
wind velocity, direction etc. Their application in resource mapping has been significantly
useful.
(b) Air crafts-They are used to obtain aerial photographs. They are useful in regional
coverage and large-scale mapping.
(iii) Space borne platforms. These are satellites which have proved to be very useful in
resource mapping, meteorological and communication applications.
6. What is EMR?
Ans. EMR stands for electromagnetic radiation, it is the energy emitted/reflected from
ground features and transmitted to the sensing instrument in the form of waves. This
emitted energy/radiant energy is called electromagnetic radiation. The remote sensing of
land surface features is based on detection of electromagnetic radiation.
7. What do you understand by electromagnetic spectrum?
Ans. The Entire array of electromagnetic waves comprises the EMR spectrum. The
electromagnetic spectrum may be defined as the ordering of the radiation according to
wavelength, frequency or energy. The electromagnetic spectrum can be explained as the
continuum of energy that ranges from meters to nanometers in wavelength, travels at the
speed of light and propagates through a vacuum like the outer space (Sabins 1986).
The electromagnetic spectrum is a bunch of EM waves arranged in the increasing
order of their wavelength.
The electromagnetic spectrum is a collection of electromagnetic waves arranged
according to frequency and wavelength.
The distribution of the continuum of all radiant energies can be plotted either as a
function of wavelength or frequency in a chart known as the electromagnetic
spectrum.
It ranges from shorter wavelengths (including X-rays and gamma rays) to longer
wavelengths (microwaves and radio waves)
8. What are the advantages of using remotely sensed data?
Ans. The major advantages of remotely sensed data for resource surveys are as follows.
(i) Satellite images are permanent records, providing useful information in various
wavebands.
(ii) Large area coverage enables regional surveys on a variety of themes and identification of
large features.
(iii) Repetitive coverage allows monitoring of dynamic themes like water. agriculture etc.
(iv) Easy data acquisition at different scales and resolutions.
(v) A single remotely sensed image can be analyzed and interpreted for different purposes
and applications.
(vi) Amenability of remotely sensed data for fast processing using a computer.
(vi) The images are analyzed in the laboratory thus reducing the amount of field work the
analysis from remote sensing data therefore is cost effective.
(viii) Map revision at medium to small scales is economical and faster.
(ix) Color composite can be produced from three individual band images, which provide
better details of the area than a single band image or aerial photograph.
(x) Stereo satellite data may be used for three dimensional studies.