Weather Satellites and Remote Sensing

Weather Satellites

• Instruments that orbit Earth to monitor weather and climate change.

Types of Satellites

• Geostationary Satellites

  • Orbit Earth at the same rate as Earth’s rotation.
  • Fixed position enables real-time weather monitoring, ideal for storm tracking.

• Polar-Orbiting Satellites

  • Move in a north-south direction, passing over the poles.
  • Provide comprehensive data on the atmosphere and surface, essential for global weather analysis.

Remote Sensing

• The science of gathering information from a distance, primarily via aircraft or satellites.

Sensors

• Active Sensor

  • Uses radar to measure signals reflected from the Earth's surface or atmosphere.

• Passive Sensor

  • Receives and measures natural emissions from the Earth’s surface and atmosphere.