Lets Think..

LET US THINK
1. Most remote sensing systems avoid detecting and recording
wavelengths in the ultraviolet and blue portions of the
spectrum. Explain why this would be the case.




2. What do you think would be some of the best atmospheric
conditions for remote sensing in the visible portion of the
spectrum?
The detection and recording of ultraviolet and blue wavelengths of radiation are difficult
because they are scattered and absorbed in the atmosphere.

Ozone gas in the upper atmosphere absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation of
wavelengths shorter than about 0.25 mm. This is beneficial for humans and other living
things, because ultraviolet radiations below these wavelengths are harmful.

Rayleigh scattering, which affects the shorter wavelengths more severely than longer
wavelengths, causes the remaining UV radiation and the shorter visible wavelengths (i.e.
blue) to be scattered much more than longer wavelengths.

Hence, very little of this energy is able to reach and interact with the Earth's surface.

Thus, these wavelengths cannot be used for Remote Sensing as they arent able to reach
the earths surface.(Blue light is scattered about 5 times as much as red light ; UV light is
scattered 16 times as much as red light. )
DISCUSSION- 1
DISCUSSION- 2
Best atmospheric conditions for Remote Sensing in the visible spectrum would be
around noon on a sunny, dry day with no clouds and no pollution.

This would be because at noon the sun would be at directly overhead and hence
reducing the distance the visible radiation has to travel to reach earths surface.

It would also minimise the effects of scattering. (BECAUSE we want maximum radiation
to reach the earths surface for good quality Remote Sensing). Dry, pollutant-free
conditions would minimize the scattering and absorption that would take place due to
water droplets and other particles in the atmosphere.

Cloud-free conditions would ensure that there will be uniform illumination and that
there will be no shadows from clouds, hence ensuring that maximum radiation reaches
the earths surface.
So, basically the atmosphere should be clear of any factors which prevent the visible
radiations from reaching the earths surface.
Can you guess the
subject of this colorful
image?

- Is it ocean coral?
- Abstract art?
- A plant?
- Or perhaps a view
through a microscope
or a view from space?
Source: www.nasa.gov
Art, science, and technology intersect in fascinating ways

Landsat 7 satellite image of the Lena River Delta in Siberia. In strangely beautiful colors,
this image depicts Siberias largest river where it meets the Laptev Sea near the Arctic
Ocean.
The Lena River Delta is an amazing 400 kilometers (about 250 miles) wide, extending far
beyond the area shown in the image.

On this image, 2.5 cm (one inch) equals approximately 24.3 km (15.1 mi).
Knowing that, you can get a sense of the deltas vastness. In the image you can also
distinguish vegetation (shades of green), sandy areas (shades of red), and water (purples
and blues).
Creativity plays a key role in science.
Landsat technology gives us super-human
vision.
Why would scientists use such false and
vivid colors?
Satellites have improved our understanding of Earths
interconnected systems of air, land, water, life, and ice.
The Landsat series of satellites has provided a
continuous, consistent set of Earth science data to users
all over the world since 1972.
Assume the speed of light to be 3x108 m/s. If the frequency of an electromagnetic
wave is 500,000 GHz (GHz = gigahertz = 109 m/s), what is the wavelength of that
radiation? Express your answer in micrometres (m).
Numerical- 1
Answer:
.
.

= 5 times more scattering in Blue band (0.4) than red light at 0.6

.
.

= 2 times more scattering in Blue band (0.4) than red light at 0.6
Numerical- 2
The effect of Rayleigh scattering is inversely proportional to the 4th power of
the wavelength: shorter wavelengths are scattered more than longer
wavelengths.
Proof Mathematically: Blue and Green bands has more Rayleigh scattering than
red band.