Remote sensing
What is Remote sensing
Remote sensing is defined as the art and science of
obtaining information about an object without being in direct physical contact
with the object. It is a scientific technology that can be used to measure and
monitor important biophysical characteristic and human activities on earth.
Remote sensing is also defined as the measurement or acquisition of information
of some property of an object or phenomenon, by an recording device that is not
in physical or intimate contact with the object or phenomenon under study. So,
remote sensing is the non contact recording of information from the
ultraviolet, visible infrared and microwave region of the electromagnetic
spectrum by means of instrument such as cameras, scanner, laser, linear arrays
and area arrays located on platforms such as aircraft or spacecraft and the
analysis of acquired information by mean of visual and digital image processing.(Jensen J. R.M 2014)The sensors collect data in the form of images and
provide specialized capabilities for manipulating, analyzing, and visualizing
those images. Remote sensed imagery is integrated within a geographicinformation system (GIS).
A geographic information system (GIS) is a
computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing feature events on earth. GIS
technology integrates common database operations, such as query and statistical
analysis, with maps. GIS manages location-based information and provides tools
for display and analysis of various statistics like characteristics and
distribution of vegetation types. 
In India, Remote sensing is extensively used for weather forecasting
and warns people about impending cyclones. It can be used to study
deforestation, ecology, degradation of fertile lands, pollution in atmosphere,
desertification, natural hazard, hydrology, eutrification of large water bodies
and oil spillage from oil tankers etc. Remote sensing can be used to study
damages caused by earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, floods and melting of ice
in polar regions. In Natural Hazard assessment, remote sensing data can be used
to assess the impacts of a natural disaster and create preparedness strategies
to be used before and after a hazardous event. Many times remote sensing will
be helpful to predict the occurrence of natural hazards. Remote sensing data is
useful in obtaining up-to-date land use and land cover of large areas at any
given time and also monitor changes that occur from time to time. This
information is used by regional planners and administrators to frame policy
matters for all round development of the region. (Jensen J. R.M 2014)
The most significant feature of
remote-sensing satellite technology is that it makes possible the repeated
survey of vast areas in a very short time even if the area is otherwise
inaccessible. The photographs and other data collected by Indian remote sensing
satellites, IRS-IA and IRS-IB, have been used for many practical purposes. The
important applications of remote-sensing
satellites are : Groundwater surveys; Forest surveys; Preparing wasteland maps;
Drought assessment; Estimation of crop yields; Detection of crop diseases;
Survey for detecting coal, oil and ores; and Detection of potential fishing
zones of the sea. The remote sensing satellites are also used for doing “spying
work” for military purposes.
REFERENCE
1.
Jensen
R.J., Remote sensing of the environment: An Earth Resource Perspective ,
Pearson,Second edition,2014. ISBN:978-93-325-1894-0. PP:2-457
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