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The most important source of EM energy at the Earth’s surface is the Sun
2
Sensors
3
Important terms
• Wavelength: The distance between from one wave crest to the next
of time
wavelength interval
• Relationship between wavelength and frequency
– Wavelength (µm): c
– Frequency (Hz): c
5
Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Light which our eyes- and “remote sensors” – can detect is part of
advantage
Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Infrared (IR) region covers the wavelength range from
approximately 0.7 µm to 15 µm – more than 40 times as wide as
the visible portion
Division Range
Gamma rays < 0.03 nm
X-rays 0.03 – 300 nm
UV radiations 0.30 – 0.38 µm
Visible light 0.38 -.72 µm
Infrared radiations ( Near IR) 0.72- 1.3 µm
Mid IR 1.3- 3.00 µm
Far IR 7.0 µm – 1
Microwaves radiations 1 mm- 30 cm
Radio > 30 cm
Interaction with the Atmosphere
• Atmospheric modification of incoming and outgoing EM
radiation includes:
– Absorption
Interactions With The Atmosphere
Scattering
• Occurs when particles or large gas molecules present in the
atmosphere interact with and cause the electromagnetic radiation to
be redirected from its original path
• Radiation that has been scattered within the atmosphere and which
reaches the sensor without having made contact with the Earth’s
surface is called the atmospheric path radiance.
becomes shorter
• The fact that the sky appears “blue” during the day is because of
Rayleigh Scattering.
• Occurs when the particles are just about the same size as the
vapour)
• Occurs when the particles are much larger than the wavelength of
• Causes fog, haze and clouds to appear white to our eyes because
equally
General Effects Of Scattering
within a shadow
• Reduces contrast,
– decrease in the detectability of features present in the image
Atmospheric Refraction
• Refraction:
Path of
energy in
homogeneous
n2 atmosphere
Optically
more dense 2
atmosphere
n
3
Optically
less dense
atmosphere 3
• Ozone, carbon dioxide and water vapour are the three main atmospheric
constituents which absorb radiation
purposes
• Add a degree of haze to the image, that is, to reduce the contrast
of the image
Earth’s surface.
• Reflected
• Absorbed
• Transmitted
where all (or almost all) of the energy is directed away from the surface
in a single direction
glasshouse roof
electromagnetic radiations
Reference/Reading Assignment
• Chapter 1, P M Mather
• Chapter 2, J B. Campbell