Application of Remote Sensing

Remote sensing can be broadly defined as the collection and interpretation of information about
an object, area, or event without being in physical contact with the object. Aircraft and satellites
are the common platforms for remote sensing of the earth and its natural resources. Aerial
photography in the visible portion of the electromagnetic wavelength was the original form of
remote sensing but technological developments has enabled the acquisition of information at
other wavelengths including near infrared, thermal infrared and microwave. Collection of information over a large numbers of wavelength bands is referred to as multispectral or hyperspectral data. The development and deployment of manned and unmanned satellites has
enhanced the collection of remotely sensed data and offers an inexpensive way to obtain
information over large areas. The capacity of remote sensing to identify and monitor land
surfaces and environmental conditions has expanded greatly over the last few years and remotely
sensed data will be an essential tool in natural resource management.