PROF.

RAJENDRA SINGH (RAJJU

BHAIYA) UNIVERSITY
PRAYAGRAJ

ASSIGNMENT OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

SYSTEM
TOPIC OF REMOTE SENSING

SUBMITTED TO : SUBMITTED BY :
DR. SHWETA SRIVASTAVA PRAGATI GUPTA
DR. AKHAND PRATAP SINGH ROLL NO. 2319996621019
REMOTE SENSING
Remote sensing refers to the acquisition of information
about an object or phenomenon without making
physical contact with it. It involves the use of various
sensors and instruments to collect data from a
distance, typically from aircraft or satellites. The
collected data can then be used to analyse and study
the Earth's surface, atmosphere, and other remote
objects.

COMPONENTS OF REMOTE SENSING

INCLUDE:
1. Energy Source: This refers to the source of
energy used to illuminate or interact with the
target being observed. It can be natural, such as
sunlight, or artificial, such as radar or laser
systems.
2. Platform: The platform is the means by which
the remote sensing instruments are carried to
observe the target. It can be an aircraft, satellite,
or even drones. The choice of platform depends on
the spatial resolution, coverage area, and specific
requirements of the remote sensing application.
3. Sensor: Sensors are devices that detect and
record the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or
other signals reflected, emitted, or transmitted by
the target. The type of sensor used depends on the
characteristics of the target and the desired data.
Common sensors include optical cameras, thermal
infrared sensors, radar systems, and LiDAR (Light
Detection and Ranging) systems.
4. Data Transmission and Reception:
Remote sensing data is usually transmitted from
the sensor to a ground station or satellite for
processing and analysis. This requires
communication systems and data receivers
capable of capturing and storing the acquired data.
5. Data Processing and Analysis: Once the
data is received, it undergoes various processing
and analysis steps to extract useful information.
This may involve correcting for atmospheric
effects, calibrating the data, and applying
algorithms to derive specific measurements or
imagery.

6. Interpretation and Application: Finally, the

processed data is interpreted and applied to
specific applications. This could include mapping
land cover, monitoring changes in vegetation,
assessing environmental conditions, or aiding in
disaster management, among many other uses.
Overall, remote sensing involves the integration of
these components to collect, process, and interpret
data from a distance, enabling valuable insights into
the Earth's surface and beyond.

Types of Remote Sensing:

1. Passive Remote Sensing: Passive remote
sensing involves the detection of natural energy
(radiation) emitted or reflected by the target.
Sensors record the energy that is already present
in the environment, such as sunlight or thermal
radiation emitted by the Earth's surface. Examples
include optical sensors that capture visible, near-
infrared, and thermal infrared radiation.

2. Active Remote Sensing: Active remote

sensing uses sensors that emit their own energy
and measure the reflected or backscattered
signals. It involves sending pulses of energy, such
as radar or laser beams, towards the target and
measuring the time it takes for the energy to
return. This enables the determination of various
properties, including the target's distance, shape,
and composition. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) are
common active remote sensing techniques.

IMPORTANT APPLICATIONS OF REMOTE

SENSING IN GEOGRAPHY:
1. Land Cover and Land Use Mapping:
Remote sensing is widely used to map and monitor
land cover and land use changes. It helps in
identifying and classifying different types of land
 cover, such as forests, croplands, urban areas,
wetlands, and water bodies. This information is
valuable for understanding patterns of
urbanization, deforestation, agricultural practices,
and assessing the impacts of human activities on
the landscape.
2. Natural Resource Management: Remote
sensing provides essential data for managing
natural resources. It aids in monitoring and
mapping forests, estimating forest biomass,
assessing vegetation health, and detecting forest
disturbances such as wildfires and insect
infestations. It is also used for mapping water
resources, including lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and
wetlands, and monitoring their changes over time.
3. Geomorphology and Terrain Analysis:
Remote sensing helps in studying the Earth's
surface and its landforms. It enables the creation
of digital elevation models (DEMs) and terrain
analysis, which are crucial for understanding
topography, landform classification, slope stability
assessment, and identifying geological features
like faults, folds, and river networks. Remote
sensing also aids in studying coastal processes,
erosion, and sediment transport.
4. Climate Studies and Weather
Forecasting: Remote sensing provides valuable
data for climate studies and weather forecasting. It
contributes to the monitoring of atmospheric
conditions, cloud cover, precipitation patterns, and
temperature variations. Remote sensing satellites
provide data for analysing long-term climate
trends, such as sea surface temperatures, ozone
concentrations, and changes in the cryosphere,
including glaciers and polar ice caps.
 5. Urban Planning and Environmental
Impact Assessment: Remote sensing assists
in urban planning and land development by
providing data on urban expansion, infrastructure
planning, and population density mapping. It helps
assess the environmental impact of urbanization,
including the loss of green spaces, heat island
effects, and changes in air quality. Remote sensing
is also used in monitoring and managing urban
sprawl, transportation networks, and infrastructure
development.
6. Hazard and Disaster Management:
Remote sensing plays a crucial role in assessing
and managing natural hazards and disasters. It
aids in mapping and monitoring areas prone to
earthquakes, volcanic activity, landslides, and
flooding. Remote sensing data is used for early
warning systems, post-disaster damage
assessment, and supporting emergency response
efforts.

These are just a few examples of how remote sensing is

utilized in geography. Remote sensing data, combined
with geographic information systems (GIS), enables
geographers to analyse and understand the Earth's
surface, its processes, and human-environment
interactions more effectively.

PLATFORMS OF REMOTE SENSING

The platform of remote sensing refers to the means or
vehicle used to carry remote sensing instruments or
sensors for data collection. Here are the main platforms
used in remote sensing:

1. Satellites: Satellites are the most common and

widely used platforms for remote sensing. They
 orbit the Earth and capture data using various
sensors onboard. Satellite platforms offer global
coverage and can collect data over large areas.
They are categorized into two types: polar-orbiting
satellites, which provide higher spatial resolution
and revisit times but limited coverage, and
geostationary satellites, which provide continuous
coverage of a specific region but with lower spatial
resolution.

2. Aircraft: Aircraft platforms are used for both

manned and unmanned remote sensing missions.
They can fly at lower altitudes than satellites,
providing higher spatial resolution imagery. Aircraft
platforms offer flexibility in terms of sensor
selection and can be deployed for specific missions
or areas of interest.
3. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or
Drones: UAVs, commonly known as drones,
have gained popularity in recent years for remote
sensing applications. They are small, remotely
operated aircraft that can carry lightweight sensors
and capture high-resolution imagery. Drones offer
flexibility, lower operational costs, and the ability
to collect data in areas that are challenging for
satellites or manned aircraft.
 4. Ground-Based Platforms: Ground-based
platforms involve placing sensors or instruments
on the Earth's surface or fixed structures to collect
data. This can include weather stations, ground-
based radar systems, LiDAR scanners, or fixed
camera setups. Ground-based platforms are often
used for monitoring localized phenomena, such as
weather conditions, vegetation dynamics, or
specific infrastructure monitoring.
5. Underwater Platforms: Remote sensing is
not limited to terrestrial observations. Underwater
platforms, such as submersibles or remotely
operated vehicles (ROVs), are used to collect data
in marine environments. They carry sensors for
underwater mapping, bathymetry, marine biology
studies, and monitoring coral reefs or
oceanographic parameters.

The choice of platform depends on the specific remote

sensing objectives, spatial resolution requirements,
coverage area, cost considerations, and environmental
factors. Each platform has its advantages and
limitations, and the selection is based on the desired
data and the constraints of the application.