Introduction to Remote Sensing

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

REMOTE

SENSING includes all methods and techniques used to gain qualitative and quantitative information about distant objects without coming into direct contact with these objects.

Look-Look,

NO Touch

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

Remote Sensing (RS) methods try to answer four basic questions: HOW MUCH of WHAT is WHERE? What is the SHAPE and EXTENT of ... ?
(Area, Boundaries, Lineaments, ...)

Has it CHANGED? What is the MIX of Objects

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

HOW MUCH of WHAT is WHERE?

WHAT: Type, Characteristic and Properties of Object. Eg. Water, Vegetation, Land; Temperature, Concentration, State of Development; Subtype, Species, Use of ... ; Includes determination of generic object type, character and property as well as its abstract meaning. => DATA INTERPRETATION

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

HOW MUCH of WHAT is WHERE?

measuring AREA covered or percentage of total area coverage. WHERE: Relate locations and area covered to either a standard map or to the actual location on the ground where the object occurs. NOTE: WHERE also refers to a moment in time

HOW MUCH: determine by simple COUNTING,

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

What is the SHAPE and EXTENT of ... ?

(Area, Boundaries, Lineaments, ...) This extends the WHERE to be a completely GEOMETRIC problem. MAP PRODUCTION methods are to be applied to the analysis of RS information. These include: Photogrammetric Methods: Identification and Delineation of Boundaries and Lineaments (Roads, Rivers, Fault Lines)

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

Has it CHANGED?

CHANGE may occur with progress of TIME. Change may be detected through comparison of observed states at different moments in time.

=> CHANGE DETECTION

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

What is the MIX of Objects?

The surface of the Earth is covered by objects like Soil, Water, Grass, Trees, Houses, Roads and so on. These are GENERIC OBJECTS. We know these well, but we also know objects like Open Forest, Residential and Industrial Estates, etc. Each of these ABSTRACT OBJECTS are made up of a typical collection of Generic Objects.

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

What is the MIX of Objects?

One important task for Remote Sensing is to identify GENERIC OBJECTS as well as ABSTRACT OBJECTS within areas of interest The following lessons will be devoted to techniques and methods as well as to the logistic for finding answers to the four basic questions.

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

Vision

Medical Imaging

Remote Sensing (Look-Look, No Touch) is a much wider field than we will discuss in this lecture series. We will concentrate on that part of RS dealing with EARTH LAND RESOURCES

Sound and Radio Wave Detection

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

What makes it tick ??? (1) RS requires a CARRIER of information, which can bridge distances. (2) RS requires a SENSOR which can detect changes in the carried Signal. (3) RS requires RECORDING, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION and REPRESENTATION of the sensed information in a purposeful way.

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

(1) RS requires a CARRIER of information, which can bridge distances. These Carriers of Information are FIELDS of FORCES: * Pressure Wave Fields of Sound, * Gravity Force Fields, * Magnetic Force Fields and * Electro-magnetic Force Fields. The latter are of our main interest, since they include visible and invisible LIGHT.

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

(2) RS requires a SENSOR which can detect changes in the carried Signal. Apart from our own eyes and ears, technology has provided us with a multitude of sensors operating in the detection of force fields: microphones, geophones, photographic film, video cameras and photo detectors, radio wave receivers, gravimeters and magnetometers.

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

(3) RS requires RECORDING, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION and REPRESENTATION of the sensed information in a purposeful way. This is a technique based topic. It is essential for the success or failure of RS in respect of its anticipated purpose. This topic will be dealt with in its main aspects (but not completely) in the following lessons.

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

Source of Force Field Sensor System eg. Camera

DATA ACQUISITION
Reflection

Resulting RS Data Set eg. Image

Object (generic)

What is REMOTE SENSING ?

DATA PROCESSING
Interpretation (secondary) Measurements Data Processing & Mapping (geometric) Presentation of Processing Results Explaining deduced OBJECT INFORMATION RS Data Set eg. Image

Object(s)

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Fraunhofer, Joseph (1877-1826), German optician and physicist, Spectroscopy Wien, Wilhelm (1864-1928), German physicist, 1911 Nobel Prize in Physics, Wiens Displacement Law Planck, Max Karl Ernst Ludwig (1858-1947), German physicist, 1918 Nobel Prize in Physics, laid basis to Quantum Physics, developed Plancks Law Einstein, Albert (18779-1955), German(?) physicist, 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics, General Theory of Relativity, and E = m c^2 Serious, Jahoo (still alive), son of Tasmanian apple grower,, How to put bubbles into beer: E = m c^2

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Fraunhofer discovered black lines in the spectrum of light emitted by various superheated chemical elements. These lines Fraunhofer Lineswere as typical for each of the elements as fingerprints for humans.

Chemical Composition of objects effects emitted ER in a unique way for each element.

(found empirically by observation)

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

In Einstein's formula E = mc^2 Fraunhofer Lines E = Energy m = mass (of matter/object) c = propagation velocity of light What does that tell us ? There is a well defined relationship between MATTER, ENERGY and 2 ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION (eg. light)

E = mc

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

The basic building blocks of all matter are ATOMS The basic building blocks of Atoms are the NUCLEUS (Neutrons and Protons) and several ELECTRONS. Electrons are thought to be spinning around the Nucleus at orbits of different, but well predefined discrete sequential radii.

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Neutrons are thought to carry NO Energy charge. Protons are thought to carry a charge of energy defined as being positive. Electrons are thought to carry a charge of energy defined as being negative. Because of the dual polarity (positive <=> negative) an energy potential exists between Nucleus and Electrons

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

An equal number of Electrons and Protons exist in all atoms (isotopes excluded). A balance exists quasi mechanical between the attraction forces of opposite charges and centrifugal forces of the spinning Electrons. This balance is an intricate compromise of these forces and the actual energy level inherent to each atom.

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

The energy level contained in an atom can be changed (eg. by heating or cooling). The balance of forces inside the atom will automatically adept to energy level changes by moving electrons to higher or lower orbits.

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

To have an electron move from its current orbit to the next outer orbit, an energy amount equal to one Plancks Quantum has to be added to the atom (eg. by heating). To have an electron drop back from an outer orbit to the next inner one, the same amount of energy has to be extracted from the atom.

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

It is this EXTRACTION of energy from an atom when electrons drop back to lower orbits which is of interest to us. One widely accepted theory says, that atoms lose energy in form of

Electromagnetic Radiation
Energy differential = 1 Plancks Quantum

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Electromagnetic Radiation
One theory explains ER as a WAVE field, another as a field of a stream of PHOTONS, particles so small that they have no mass. Both are said to propagate at light speed.
Photon Energy differential = 1 Plancks Quantum

Wave

E = mc^2

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

c = const ~ 300000 km/sec

Electromagnetic Radiation

Some atoms may have been charged to a higher energy level; pushing electrons further than one orbital level. In turn they can drop back over more than one orbit level: more energy than one Quantum
Photon

Wave

Energy differential = 1 Plancks Quantum

E = mc^2

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

c = const ~ 300000 km/sec Electromagnetic Radiation 2 Quantum charge Gerds interpretation: Since c is constant, all photons travel about 300,000 km/sec Those with a higher energy charge will use a more wiggly (thus, longer) wave path than those with lesser charge.
Wave Photon Energy differential = 1 Plancks Quantum

E = mc^2

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Electromagnetic Radiation

Wave characteristics: = Wave length = distance between consecutive wave peaks (measured in m) f = frequency = number of wave peaks (wiggles) in the wave train propagating for 1 sec (measured in Hz) =c/f

c = const ~ 300000 km/sec

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Electromagnetic Radiation

Summing up: High Energy Radiation proceeds at higher frequencies (shorter wavelength compared to low energy radiation. Radiation wave length mix depends on amount of (heat) energy contain in an atom

c = const ~ 300000 km/sec

PLANCKs LAW

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

PLANCKs LAW

Total Radiation Energy emitted

Radiation Energy Curve for an object (BLACK BODY) at constant temperature.

peak

c = const ~ 300000 km/sec

short Wave Length

long

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

WIENs DISPLACEMENT LAW

Total Radiation Energy emitted Radiation Energy Curves for an object (BLACK BODY) at various constant temperatures. 6000K 3000k 1000K 300K short Wave Length long

0K = -273 degree Celsius 300K = 27 degree Celsius

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Using Fraunhofers Observations

A Black Body is a theoretical, not a real object. Real Objects will produce somewhat different radiation output pattern. Radiation Energy Curve for an object at constant temperature. Gerds real object

c = const ~ 300000 km/sec

short Wave Length

long

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Using Fraunhofers Observations

The variation in Radiation output from a REAL OBJECT depends on its chemical composition. Water has a different SPECTRAL SIGNATURE than soil or chlorophyll containing leaf matter, etc. Radiation Energy Curve for an object at constant temperature. Gerds real object

QUESTIONS: Can we use these facts to measure object temperatures? Can we use these facts to identify the chemical composition of objects and can we use the latter to identify the object itself?

short Wave Length

long

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

The Average Temperature ofWIENs DISPLACEMENT LAW Earths Surface rarely exceeds 300 K, an object Total Radiation Energy emitted temperature to low to Radiation Energy Curves for provide for EMITTED an object (BLACK BODY) RADIATION of sufficient at constant temperatures. 6000K strength to register on most 3000k of the available sensors 1000K (except in thermal IR).
(Even warm nights can be pitch black) short Wave Length long

300K

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

The surface of the Suns outer WIENs DISPLACEMENT atmosphere (photosphere) LAW has a temperature of about Total Radiation Energy emitted 5800K, hot enough to Radiation Energy Curves for provide adequate radiation an object (BLACK BODY) energy. (Peak output in at constant temperatures. 6000K GREEN of visible light). 3000k Most RS systems utilise 1000K reflected sun light.
short Wave Length long

300K

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

WIENs DISPLACEMENT QUESTION: Does incident LAW
sun light interact in a Total Radiation similar way with matter as Energy emitted described is the case for Radiation Energy Curves for emitted radiation? an object (BLACK BODY) at constant temperatures. ANSWER: YES! 6000K ER (including light) is a form 3000k of energy (as is heat). Matter 1000K (atoms) can absorb as well as 300K emit energy.
short Wave Length long

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Objects under illumination by WIENs DISPLACEMENT sun light will partially absorb radiation. Total Radiation Absorption level varies with Energy emitted wave length depending on Radiation Energy Curves for chemical composition of an object (BLACK BODY) at constant temperatures. the object 6000K Radiation not absorbed is 3000k mostly reflected and 1000K available for RS. 300K

Spectral Signatures

short Wave Length

long

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Examples of Spectral Signatures
Reflectance (of Sun Light) 50 Bare Soil (Grey/Brown) (not to exact scale; see Textbook) Vegetation (green)

Water (clear) 0
(<= UV) 0.4 (blue) 0.5 (green) 0.6 (red) 0.7 (IR=>) 0.8

1.0

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

The Electromagnetic Spectrum
(not to exact scale; see Textbook)
10^-6 10^-3 Wave Length 0.1 1 100 10^5 10^8 m

Sound
not part of ER)
MicroWave

-Rays

X-Ray

UV

TV/Radio Note: outside the visible Range, no colours or shades will be perceived.

Thermal Infrared Visible Near & Mid Infrared 0.7 m

Blue Green Red

0.4 0.5 0.6

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

The General Remote Sensing Model Radiation
Source I = Incident ER R = Reflected A = Absorbed T = Transmitted S = Scattering

S
Sensor Simplified RadiationBalance

I R

I=R+A+T R=I-A-T

T
A A

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Reflectance (of Sun Light) 50

A bright Idea for RS R IR

Vegetation (green)

Bare Soil (Grey/Brown)

Truth Table Veg. G med R low IR high+ 0
(<= UV) 0.4 (blue) 0.5 (green) 0.6 (red) 0.7 (IR=>) 0.8

Soil med high high m

1.0

ER, the Physical Basis of RS

Truth Table

A bright Idea for RS

Veg. G med R low IR high+

Soil med high high

IR

Landsat 7