Remote Sensing

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Remote Sensing Event Links
Forum Thread: 2009 2010
Test Exchange: 2009 2010

Contents

Remote Sensing 2010

"Participants will use remote sensing imagery, science and mathematical process skills to complete tasks related to an understanding of the causes and consequences of human interaction with forest biomes." - Remote Sensing rules 2010

Like 2009, 5 double sided sheets of paper are permitted, as well as a non-graphing calculator.

This year, the tests tend to comprise of a mix of image interpretation as well as questions regarding concepts of remote sensing and forest biome biology knowledge. Some ecology/biology background is useful. Knowledge of individual space programs and NASA satellites, in addition to the types of sensors used, is useful.

Satellites

Glossary

This is a list of some useful remote sensing vocabulary: All of this can be found in the ccrs tutorial

Absorption: when substances absorb radiation
Active sensing: giving off radiation, then sensing the backscatter
Electromagnetic radiation: most common energy source for remote sensing consisting of an electric and magnetic field perpendicular to each other and the direction of travel while traveling at the speed of light c (3.0 m/sec)
Frequency: the number of waves passing a given point in a given amount of time; measured in hertz
Image: any pictoral representing any wavelength used in sensing
Orbit: path followed by a satellite
Passive sensing: sensing naturally available radiation
Radiometric resolution: ability of sensor to discriminate very small differences in energy
Reflection: when radiation is redirected upon striking a target; this is the target interaction useful for remote sensing
Remote sensing: the science of acquiring data without being in contact with it
Scale: ratio of size on image to real-life size
Scattering (or atmospheric scattering): when particles in the atmosphere redirect radiation
Spatial resolution: smallest detail a sensor can detect
Spectral resolution: ability of sensor to distinguish between fine wavelength intervals
Swath: area imaged by a satellite with a fixed width
Temporal resolution: describes the time between which the same area is viewed twice
Transmission: when radiation passes through a target
Wavelength: the distance between two crests of a periodic

Examples of Instruments

RADAR: short for Radio Detection and Ranging. It transmits radio waves, which are scattered and reflected when they come into contact with something.
LIDAR: short for Light Detection and Ranging. It is similar to RADAR but uses laser pulses instead of radio waves.
TM: stands for Thematic Mapper. It was introduced in the Landsat program and involves seven image data bands that scan along a ground track.
MSS: stands for Multispectral Scanner. It was introduced in the Landsat program also, and each band responds to a different type of radiation, thus the name “multispectral”.

Examples of Satellites

Most of the satellites tested for are NASA-related.

A-Train: a satellite constellation scheduled to be with seven satellites working together in Sun synchronous (SS) orbit. Their compiled images can have high-resolution results.
  • Aqua: used for monitoring the water cycle.
  • Aura: measures air quality and climate.
  • CloudSat: uses RADAR to monitor clouds’ altitude and properties.
  • CALIPSO: measures materials within clouds
  • PARASOL: a satellite which studies clouds and aerosols. It has begun to leave the A-Train.
Landsat: A series of 7 satellites using multiple spectral bands. Only two are operational today (Landsat 7 and Landsat 5).

Forest biome

The second portion of this event requires the use of knowledge of forest biomes and the interaction of humans with them.

Characteristics

There are three major types of forests, which are all characterized by the amounts of trees growing in them.

  • Tropical forests are near the equator. They have the greatest diversity in species, and only two seasons are present (rainy and dry).
  • Temperate forests are located in eastern North America, northeastern Asia, and western and central Europe. There are four defined seasons and a moderate climate. Precipitation (75-150 cm) is distributed evenly throughout the year.
  • Boreal forests (taiga) are in northern Eurasia and North America. There is a short, warm summer and a very long and cold winter.

Human Interaction

As humans have expanded their reign over the planet, the health of the forest biome has taken a hit. Effects of humans such as deforestation threaten the well-being of the planet, especially since forests play an important role in processes such as the water cycle, carbon cycle, and ecological diversity.

Remote Sensing 2009

Resources

Textbooks

Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation

Remote Sensing: Principles and Interpretation

Links

2010 links

  • http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Front/tofc.html
    • The NASA tutorial is more advanced than the Canada one, and it is recommended reading after the Canada one has already been read. Difficult to read both due to time constraints, however, most substance in this tutorial will not be necessary on most tests. Good if time permits.

Older links

Most of these links are either no longer active or not relevant to the 2010 event

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