Unit 3.1 Objectives
Lecture(s)
Video Lecture(s)
Readings
Cool Vids
Summary

Unit 3.1 Objectives

BEFORE you click on the "Next" button at the bottom right side of the screen, be sure to click on each of the Tabs above and follow the instructions.

For this Unit, we will explore the fundamentals of remote sensing (one of my favorite subjects).

Objectives: By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Discuss the fundamentals principles, concepts, history, and applications of remote sensing.
Describe the fundamental elements of the electromagnetic spectrum, and explain the concept of "sensing" wavelength specific electromagnetic radiation.
Identify remote sensing platforms and their respective functions.
Explain the differences between active and passive remote sensors.
Explain how image analysis is both an art and a science.
Discuss the different types of image corrections and enhancements.
Describe the different methods of image information extraction.
Define what a spectral vegetation index is, especially focusing on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI).
Discuss how to do change detection with remote sensing.

Lecture(s)

Download and review through the following PowerPoint lectures. You especially want to keep the PowerPoint notes by your side as you are reading through the assigned text.

This week we will be taking a look at remote sensing and image analysis! The lecture files can be large, so please be patient when downloading them.

Lecture 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

Please click on the link below to download the Introduction to Remote Sensing lecture to your computer:

IntroductiontoRemoteSensing

Lecture 2: Remote Sensing Platforms

Please click on the link below to download the Remote Sensing Platforms lecture to your computer:

Remote Sensing Platforms

Lecture 3: Elementary Image Analysis and Information Extraction

Please click on the link below to download the Elementary Image Analysis lecture to your computer:

ImageAnalysis&Extraction

Video Lecture(s):

Video #1: The Basics of Remote Sensing (NOTE: This is not me, but this person does a great job so I'd be happy to take the credit :)). This is from UC Davis Extension.

Video #2: A Brief History of Remote Sensing

Video #3: Characteristics of Remotely Sensed Data

Video Lecture #4: Using NDVI to Assess Vegetation Greenness

Readings

Read Fundamentals of Remote Sensing, Chapters 1 and 2: Fundamentals of Remote Sensing

In addition, please read the "Remote Sensing Platforms" document: platforms_complete_red.pdf

Cool Vids

For this Unit, please watch the following videos.

In order to play the video below, click on the play button icon (it looks like a small arrow) found in the middle of each video window. In order to make the video full screen, click on the square icon found on the bottom right of the video player. To exit full screen, press the "esc" button on your keyboard.

Video #1: NASA's Video Tour of the EM Spectrum

Click on the play button below to watch NASA's Video Tour of the EM Spectrum (30 min).

Video #2: What is Remote Sensing?

Video #3: Why is the Sky Blue?

Click on the play button below to watch the video describing why the sky is blue.

Video #4: Satellites 101

Click on the play button below to watch Satellites 101.

Video #5: NOVA: Earth From Space

Click on the play button below to watch NOVA: Earth from Space (HD). The video is a 2-hour special produced by NOVA. It is excellent. Watch the entire episode. Feel free to watch it in increments, but definitely watch the entire thing.

Video #6: How a Pixel Gets Its Color

Video #7: Basics of Image Processing

Video #8: Ecology from the Air

Video #9: NDVI: An Introduction

Summary

For this Unit, please review the assigned lectures, read the assigned readings, and watch the assigned videos.

Click on the "Next" button on the bottom right side of the screen to see the first part of the assignment (the Video Discussion).