USA Remote Sensing Overview Quiz
How satellites collect Earth data (10 questions).
USA Remote Sensing Overview Quiz: Quick Study Notes
Remote sensing is a vital technology for monitoring our planet from above, providing critical data for environmental management, disaster response, urban planning, and resource assessment across the USA. Satellites and aircraft equipped with specialized sensors collect information without physical contact, revealing insights into Earth’s dynamic systems.
How Satellites Collect Earth Data
Gathering information about Earth’s surface and atmosphere from a distance, typically using satellites or aircraft.
Sensors detect reflected or emitted electromagnetic radiation from Earth features. Active sensors emit their own energy.
Orbiting satellites (e.g., Landsat, MODIS) provide continuous, wide-area coverage for diverse applications.
Vegetation health, land cover change, temperature, water resources, urban growth, disaster impact.
Key Takeaways
- Remote sensing uses sensors on platforms (satellites, aircraft) to collect data without physical contact.
- It operates by detecting electromagnetic radiation (EMR) reflected or emitted from Earth.
- Passive sensors rely on natural EMR (like sunlight), while active sensors emit their own energy (radar, lidar).
- Key resolutions include spatial (detail), spectral (EMR bands), temporal (repeat visit), and radiometric (brightness levels).
- Major applications in the USA include agriculture, forestry, urban planning, disaster monitoring, and climate research.
- NASA and USGS are leading agencies in USA remote sensing, with programs like Landsat and MODIS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is remote sensing?
Remote sensing is the science and art of obtaining information about an object, area, or phenomenon through the analysis of data acquired by a device that is not in physical contact with the object, area, or phenomenon under investigation.
How do satellites collect Earth data?
Satellites collect Earth data using sensors that measure electromagnetic radiation (light, heat, radio waves) reflected or emitted from the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. These sensors can be passive (relying on natural light) or active (emitting their own energy).
What are the main types of remote sensing?
The main types are passive remote sensing, which detects naturally available energy (e.g., sunlight reflected from Earth), and active remote sensing, which provides its own energy source for illumination (e.g., radar, lidar).
What are some applications of remote sensing in the USA?
In the USA, remote sensing is used for diverse applications such as monitoring agricultural health, tracking deforestation, urban development planning, predicting and monitoring natural disasters (like floods and wildfires), assessing water resources, and studying climate change.
What are examples of US remote sensing satellite programs?
Prominent US remote sensing programs include the Landsat series (for land observation), MODIS on Terra and Aqua satellites (for wide-swath global observations), and the GOES satellites (for weather monitoring).
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