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    How It Works Remote Sensing

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    Derek ARPHUL
    This document is presented as an assignment in GIS & Remote Sensing course for Civil Engineering Level 400 in UENR (2024) by Derek Kotoku Arphul - Ampaabeng.

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    How It Works Remote Sensing

    Uploaded by

    Derek ARPHUL
    7 views2 pages
    This document is presented as an assignment in GIS & Remote Sensing course for Civil Engineering Level 400 in UENR (2024) by Derek Kotoku Arphul - Ampaabeng.

    Original Title

    HOW IT WORKS REMOTE SENSING

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    This document is presented as an assignment in GIS & Remote Sensing course for Civil Engineering Level 400 in UENR (2024) by Derek Kotoku Arphul - Ampaabeng.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    7 views2 pages

    How It Works Remote Sensing

    Uploaded by

    Derek ARPHUL
    This document is presented as an assignment in GIS & Remote Sensing course for Civil Engineering Level 400 in UENR (2024) by Derek Kotoku Arphul - Ampaabeng.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    UNIVERSITY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

    BSC. CIVIL ENGINEERING, LEVEL 400

    COURSE: CIVL 405: GIS AND REMOTE SENSING

    LECTURER: MR ERIC MORTEY

    QUESTION:
    HOW DOES REMOTE SENSING WORKS?

    STUDENT:
    DEREK KOTOKU ARPHUL – AMPAABENG (UEB0703120)

    FEBRUARY, 2024
    Introduction

    Remote sensing involves the acquisition of information about the earth without direct physical
    contact. It is both a science and an art that aids in acquiring data through a device by interacting
    with objects on the earth’s surface by reflection, refraction, and emission of electromagnetic
    energy from the sun.

    The Electromagnetic Spectrum

    The electromagnetic spectrum is a spectrum of energy from the sun. This spectrum
    encompasses a wide range of electromagnetic waves with diverse wavelengths. Waves in this
    spectrum include; Gamma rays, X – rays, Ultraviolet rays, Visible light, Infrared radiation,
    Microwaves, and Radio waves (arranged in order of decreasing frequency). That is, Gamma
    rays have the highest frequency while Radio waves have the lowest frequency. The frequency
    of a wave is inversely proportional to its wavelength. Therefore, the higher the frequency, the
    shorter the wavelength and vice versa.

    Interaction with the Earth’s Surface

    When electromagnetic waves enter earth’s atmosphere, they get refracted and change direction
    through a process called Atmospheric Refraction. Due to their diverse frequencies, Gamma
    rays, X – rays, and Ultraviolet rays are absorbed and scattered in the atmosphere and reflect
    away from the earth’s surface while Visible light, Infrared radiation, Microwaves and Radio
    waves lose energy and change into longer wavelength and lacking energy to reflect away from
    the atmosphere and are therefore entrapped on the earth’s surface.

    Visible light and Infrared rays are absorbed by different materials such as vegetation, water,
    minerals. Visible light interaction with earth objects is important for capturing colour
    information allowing us to distinguish features on earth’s surface; while Infrared rays help in
    thermal studies which help to study variations in temperature on earth’s surface.

    Conclusion

    Remote sensing instruments are featured with sensors that capture electromagnetic radiation in
    specific bands with a corresponding range of wavelengths which allows scientist and engineers
    to analyse the reflected and emitted energy from the earth surface.

    This gives Remote Sensing a wide range of applications; in agriculture, forestry studies,
    environmental monitoring, urban planning, and disaster management.

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