Remote Sensing

=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.

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

=Remote Sensing 2009= "Participants will use remote sensing imagery, science and mathematical process skills to complete tasks related to an understanding of the causes and consequences of global warming." - Remote Sensing rules 2009

You may bring five (5) pages of double-sided paper with notes in any form. Each participant may bring any non-graphing calculator.

This event is essentially a test based on identifying satellite imagery. Be prepared to study about and memorize different NASA space programs aimed at imaging earth from space. Also, learn to identify different human constructions based on satellite photos. Test questions will often be open-ended, with answers to questions based on analysis of such satellite images in visible, infrared, and radio wavelengths. Other such images include but are not limited to charts of variation in average temperature and measure of chlorophyll concentration in the ocean.

=Resources=

Textbooks
Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation

Remote Sensing: Principles and Interpretation

2010 links

 * http://soinc.org/remote_sensing_c
 * Official Science Olympiad remote sensing page


 * http://www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/resource/tutor/fundam/pdf/fundamentals_e.pdf
 * This remote sensing tutorial written by the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing is very useful. Covers basic concept of remote sensing, sensor types, image interpretation and analysis, and use of data. Section 5.3 on forests is a must.


 * 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
 * http://www.soinc.org/events/remotesense/index.htm
 * The official Science Olympiad website has many links, official rule clarifications, and tips on how to improve your binder.


 * http://cmex.ihmc.us/CMEX/index.html OR http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov
 * Mars Topographic Map, as referenced by the official rules. No longer applicable due to rule changes.


 * http://pubs.usgs.gov/imap/i2782/i2782_sh1.pdf and http://pubs.usgs.gov/imap/i2782/i2782_sh2.pdf
 * Direct links to the Mars Topographic Maps from pubs.usgs.gov - note they are large in file size. No longer applicable due to rule changes.


 * http://www.michiganso.org/mars_remote_sensing_course.htm or http://www.michiganso.org/resources.htm
 * The other link in the rules has probably moved here instead. There is a great online course dedicated to Remote Sensing and a great topographic map.
 * http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/science_olympiad/Tournament_information/Event_rules_nc/remote_sensing.cfm
 * Usually had good event resources.


 * http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/products/sci_olympiad/upload_1_15_05/pdf/remote_sensing_2005.pdf
 * This is a good document for Remote Sensing in general, without any focus on Mars. There are two pages of links at the end for you to use.


 * http://www.scioly.org/obb/board.php?FID=35
 * Feel free to ask any additional questions you might have about Remote Sensing here, as long as you follow the rules.


 * http://newyorkscioly.org/SOPages/Events/Remote.html
 * New York Coaches Conference