Remote Sensing: Observing the Earth

Demonstrating how data is collected and verified from multiple sources, both directly and remotely sensed.

Since the beginning of recorded time, humanity has tried to better understand and make use of the environment by observing and exploring their surroundings.

Today, we continue to do so at a global scale under a field of study called remote sensing; which is simply observing an object, or collection of objects of interest, from a distance with the help of eyes, or sensors that observe the electromagnetic spectrum.

One of our primary tools for observing our environment are remote sensing satellites. With their sensors they can see, or sense reflected light from our oceans, land and atmosphere and help monitor their condition along with many living organisms that live within them. These satellites help us understand the overall state of health and condition of our planet.

Anacapa Island, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of California.

The Channel Islands off the coast of California.

The big picture of remote sensing, we have multiple sensors on satellites flying at about 7 km per second above the earth gathering data over vast areas.

At the same time airplanes flying over the same area of interest gathering more detail data, or what is called higher resolution data, and finally, you have a person doing the ground truthing, collecting information that will be used to help validate and calibrate aerial and spaceborne remote sending instruments.