Level 78
1 day < 1 min
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Cartography, GIS, and Geospatial Technology

Remote Sensing and Satellite Earth Observation

A survey of how satellites and aerial sensors capture data about Earth's surface, atmosphere, and oceans, from the physics of passive and active sensing to the major programs, spectral techniques, and disaster and environmental applications built on their imagery.

60-Second Review

Express review

A condensed, point-by-point summary of the module, for reviewing right before a test or exam.

  1. Passive and Active Remote Sensing Systems. Passive sensors record existing energy; active sensors emit their own signal and measure its return.
  2. Earth Observation Satellite Programs. Landsat, Copernicus, and a growing commercial fleet supply the world's continuous satellite imagery record.
  3. Spectral Bands and Multispectral Imaging. Sensors split light into discrete spectral bands, which vegetation indices and composites turn into information.
  4. LiDAR and Elevation Mapping. LiDAR timing laser pulses builds precise 3D terrain and canopy models from the air and from orbit.
  5. Monitoring Deforestation and Land Use Change. Global satellite time series now track forest loss and land-use change almost as it happens.
  6. Remote Sensing for Disaster Response. Cloud-piercing radar and rapid international tasking turn satellite imagery into disaster-response tools.
  7. Weather and Climate Satellites. Geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites together give forecasters continuous, global atmospheric coverage.
  8. Drones and Low-Altitude Aerial Mapping. Consumer and commercial drones, paired with photogrammetry software, made fine-scale mapping cheap and routine.

This module continues after "Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis" in the syllabus. If you haven't reviewed it yet, it may help set the context.

Key points

Visual module map

1Passive and Active Remote Sensing Systems
2Spectral Bands and Multispectral Imaging
3Monitoring Deforestation and Land Use Change
4Remote Sensing for Disaster Response
5Drones and Low-Altitude Aerial Mapping

Alternative visual view: a simplified sequence of some of the module's key points, in their order within the syllabus.

Your module mastery

0% (overall measurement)
Approximate breakdown by skill
Understanding of historiographical debate0%

A rough estimate based on the key points reviewed, not an exact measurement of actual mastery.

Final test

You need to review all key points to unlock the final test.

Optional mini-games

Extra practice, with no penalty, to reinforce the module's content.

Review Flashcards

Review each key point with cards that flip to reveal the summary.

Memory

Match each concept with its definition in as few attempts as possible.

Time Attack

Answer true or false statements before time runs out.

Chronological Order

Put the module's key points back in their original order.

Further reading

Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.

  • Lillesand, T.M., Kiefer, R.W., and Chipman, J.W. (2015). Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation (7th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  • Campbell, J.B. and Wynne, R.H. (2011). Introduction to Remote Sensing (5th ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.
  • Hansen, M.C., Potapov, P.V., Moore, R., et al. (2013). "High-Resolution Global Maps of 21st-Century Forest Cover Change." Science, 342(6160), 850-853.
  • Richards, J.A. (2013). Remote Sensing Digital Image Analysis: An Introduction (5th ed.). Berlin: Springer.
  • Cracknell, A.P. and Hayes, L. (2007). Introduction to Remote Sensing (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
  • Canuto, M.A., Estrada-Belli, F., Garrison, T.G., et al. (2018). "Ancient Lowland Maya Complexity as Revealed by Airborne Laser Scanning of Northern Guatemala." Science, 361(6409).