Remote Sensing Science Olympiad

What is remote sensing?

Collection and interpretation of information about an object without being in direct contact with the object.

Does sea ice reflect more or less than the surrounding ocean?

More

Does clear water have a high or low reflectance?

Low

Due to clear waters low reflectance, how does it come up on a remote sensing image?

Dark

What color is vegetation on a remote sensing image?

Red

What are the resolutions of remote sensing?

1. Spatial (what area, how detailed)

2. Spectral (what colors, bands)

3. Temporal (time of day/ season/ year)

4. Radiometric (Color/ depth)

Radiation that cannot be used by Remote sensors is ________.

Gamma Ray

Define Active Sensors

Remote sensing methods that provide their own source of electromagnetic radiation to illuminate the terrain. Ex: RADAR, LIDAR, and SONAR.

Define Passive Sensors

Remote sensing of energy naturally reflected or radiated from the terrain.

λ means ______?

Wavelength

μ means ______?

Micron

A micron is the same as a _________

Micrometre

The lowest Earth-observing satellite takes about _______ minutes to travel around the earth.

90

Do satellites orbit pole to pole? Or around the equator?

Pole to pole

What are some examples of atmospheric aerosols?

Desert dust, volcano emissions, smoke from wood and fossil fuels, and pollen.

How many LANDSAT satellites are there?

Currently 8, one more, making 9, will be joining in 2023.

What is Rayleigh Scattering?

Refers to the scattering of light off of the molecules of the air, and can be extended to scattering from particles up to about a tenth of the wavelength of the light. It is Rayleigh scattering off the molecules of the air which gives us the blue sky.

What does the acronym RADAR stand for?

Radio Detection and Ranging

Does water with sediments suspended in it have a higher or lower reflectance?

Higher

What is the most abundant green house gas?

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

Do radio waves have a longer or shorter wavelength?

Longer

What is a composite?

Images where multiple individual satellite images have been combined to produce a new image.

Straight objects are usually ______.

Man made

Irregular shaped objects are usually _________.

Formed naturally.

Determine size by_______.

Finding common objects (roads, trees, etc.)

Example of association.

It may help to identify what the image is by seeing what else is in the image (Ex: boats on a lake).

Relationship between Wavelength and Frequency?

The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength

What are EOS Satellites?

A series of NASA Satellites, (Earth Observatory Systems), designed to observe Earth's land, atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere

When was the first EOS Satellite launched?

1997

What is the A-Train?

An EOS Satellite Constellation

How many A-Train Satellites are Active, and what are their names?

4 Active: Aqua, CloudSat, CALIPSO, and Aura

How many A-Train Satellites are Past and what are their names?

1 Past: PARASOL

How many A-Train Satellites Failed and what are their names? Also how did these failures occur?

2 Failed: (OCO) Orbiting Carbon Observatory, and Glory. They occurred because of vehicle launch failure.

Describe the satellite Terra.

It is a member of the EOS Satellites, Provides global data on the atmosphere, land, and water. Its scientific focus includes atmospheric composition, biogeochemistry, climate change and variability, and the water and energy cycle.

Describe LANDSAT. How many and which ones are still operational today?

A series of 8 satellites using multiple spectral bands. Only three are operational today: Landsat 5, Landsat 7, and the Landsat Data Continuity Mission or "LDCM" (launched in February 2013)

When was the first satellite launched and what was it's name?

Sputnik 1- October 4, 1957. Launched by the USSR.

Light

Satellite

Heat

Infrared Scanners on Satellites

Radio Waves

Doppler Radar

When and what is the name of the first METEOROLOGICAL satellite?

April 1, 1960. TIROS (Television Infrared Observation Satellite). It was launched from Cape Canaveral. This greatly helped scientists to interpret cloud patterns.

Advantages to Polar Orbiting Satellites

-Closer to the earth with an orbit of about 520 miles (833 km) above the surface.

-The closer orbit provided much more detailed images.

-Excellent views of the polar regions.

Disadvantages to Polar Orbiting Satellites

-Cannot see the whole earth's surface at any one time.

-The path of each orbit changes due to the earth's rotation so no two images are from the same location.

-Limited to about six or seven images a day since most of the time the satellite is below the earth's horizon and out of range of listening equipment.

Describe Geostationary Satellites

First geostationary satellite was launched in 1966.

Orbit at a much higher altitude of 22,236 miles (35,786 km). Positioned over the equator, the satellite completes one orbit of the earth in 24 hours.

They are in black and white

They aid in the discovery of extreme weather, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.

(Interesting Fact: There are only about 5 geostationary satellites in use at one time, these are strategically located to benefit all countries)

Name advantages to Geostationary Satellites.

-Always located in the same spot of the sky relative to the earth.

-View the entire earth at all times.

-Record images as fast as once every minute.

-View is always from same perspective, so motion of clouds over the earth's surface can be computed.

-Receive transmissions from free-floating balloons, buoys and remote automatic data collection stations around the world.

Name disadvantages to Geostationary Satellites.

-Located about 22,300 miles (35,000 km) in space, provides less detailed views of the earth.

-Views of the polar regions are limited due to the earth's curvature.

Geostationary Satellites provide three types of images, what are they?

Visible, infrared, and water vapor.

Visible Images

It is a picture taken in visible light, similar to what happens when a person takes a photo with a camera.

In visible images, do thick clouds appear brighter or darker compared to other clouds in a satellite image?

Thick clouds do a much better job of reflecting light and therefore appear brighter in visible photos

Name disadvantages to Visible Imagery.

Images are only available in the daylight.

Cannot distinguish clouds of different heights.

Infrared Imaging senses_______.

Heat energy

Name Advantages to Infrared Imaging.

It is available day and night

The background to Earth is white because space is cold.

Water Vapor Images

Moist areas show up white, dry areas black