Course Introduction

1.1. Remote sensing

Remote sensing involves measuring the properties of objects and features on Earth from a distance. This can be done using photographs or sensors on satellites, aircraft or drones, for example. These sensors detect electromagnetic radiation (such as visible light, infrared, and radar) that is reflected, absorbed, or emitted by the atmosphere or the Earth's surface.

Remote sensing enables us to map changes to the landscape, water quality, temperature, vegetation, urban growth and natural disasters, to name a few. It is a powerful tool for environmental monitoring, spatial planning and agriculture, as well as for predicting risks such as floods and forest fires. As it can collect large amounts of data regularly, remote sensing helps us better understand Earth's processes and respond more quickly to changes.

For example, what you see in the image is that a satellite picks up reflected light and radiation. We collect this data, transform it into a map, analyze it, and present it in a way that anyone reading the map can understand. This is exactly what you’ll learn in this course.

Learn more about remote sensing here.