Subject Librarian
Dartmouth College
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A definition for remote sensing
(1) In the broadest sense, the measurement or acquisition of information about some property of an object or phenomenon, by a recording device that is not in physical or intimate contact with the object or phenomenon under study.
(2) Instruments that record characteristics of objects at a distance, sometimes forming an image by gathering, focusing, and recording reflected light from the Sun, or reflected radio waves emitted by the spacecraft.
[Source: Glossary of the Landsat Missions, 06/16/2017]
The scanning of the Earth by satellite or high-flying aircraft in order to obtain information about it. ‘Remote sensing technology is deemed to include photo interpretation, photogrammetry, aerial photography, image processing, and other related technologies in the field of survey, planning, and management of natural resources, and other areas of application where the technology is considered to be appropriate’ (Indian J. Remote Sensing).
Mayhew, S. (2015). Remote sensing. In A Dictionary of Geography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 29 May. 2023
Introductory Resource from the USGS
- Aerial Photographs and Satellite Images
An online edition of the popular booklet that discusses some characteristics of aerial photographs and satellite images and the types of images that are available from the USGS.
Free imagery
- Open Aerial Map
OpenAerialMap (OAM) is a set of tools for searching, sharing, and using openly licensed satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery.
Introductory reading(s)
The ArcGIS imagery book: new view, new vision by Call Number: Baker-Berry G 70.212 .A7353 2016ISBN: 9781589484627Explore how imagery and remote sensing power modern GIS. With The ArcGIS Imagery Book, you will roll up your sleeves and quickly begin putting imagery to smarter, more skillful use with your GIS.
An introduction to ocean remote sensing by Call Number: Baker-Berry GC 10.4 .R4 M375 2014ISBN: 9781107019386The second edition of this popular textbook introduces students to how remote sensing works, how to understand observations from Earth-observing systems, and the observations' importance to physical and biological oceanography. It provides full explanations of radiative transfer, ocean surface properties, satellite orbits, instruments and methods, visible remote sensing of biogeochemical properties, infrared and microwave retrieval of sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity retrieval, passive microwave measurements, scatterometer wind retrieval, altimetry and SAR. Also included are descriptions of the online archives where data can be obtained, and readers can obtain online tools for working with the data - enabling hands-on engagement with real-world observations.
Introduction to remote sensing by Call Number: eBookISBN: 9781462549405Publication Date: 6th ed.Now in full color, the sixth edition of this leading text features new chapters on remote sensing platforms (including the latest satellite and unmanned aerial systems), agriculture (including agricultural analysis via satellite imagery), and forestry (including fuel type mapping and fire monitoring). The book has introduced tens of thousands of students to the fundamentals of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting remotely sensed images. It presents cutting-edge tools and practical applications to land and water use analysis, natural resource management, climate change adaptation, and more. ...
Remote sensing and image interpretation by Call Number: Baker-Berry G 70.4 .L54 2015ISBN: 9781118343289Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation is designed to be primarily used in two ways: as a textbook in the introductory courses in remote sensing and image interpretation, and as a reference for the burgeoning number of practitioners who use geospatial information and analysis in their work. Because of the wide range of academic and professional settings in which this book might be used, we have made the discussion "discipline neutral." In short, anyone involved in geospatial data acquisition and analysis should find this book to be a valuable text and reference.
The SAGE handbook of remote sensing by Call Number: Baker-Berry G 70.4 .S16 2009ISBN: 9781412936163Remote sensing acquires and interprets small or large-scale data about the Earth from a distance. Using a wide range of spatial, spectral, temporal, and radiometric scales remote sensing is a large and diverse field for which this Handbook will be the key research reference. ...
