HOW ARE REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS DIFFERENT?
Important attributes of satellite remote sensing systems include spatial resolution, spectral coverage, and temporal frequency. 1. Spatial resolution describes the level of detail, or smallest size of an object, that can be identified. 2. Spectral coverage refers to how many different colors and different parts of the spectrum are measured. Systems today make from one to seven measurements of light energy for each target area. 3. Temporal frequency refers to the cycle of coverage or how often data are collected from a particular satellite. The temporal frequency of operating remote sensing satellites range from one satellite pass every month to two every day. Remote sensing systems make tradeoffs between spatial resolution, spectral coverage, and temporal frequency. For some uses, fine spatial detail is crucial; an example is cartographic mapping. In other cases, information is needed frequently, but does not require as much detail. For example, weather data are needed several times a
Important attributes of satellite remote sensing systems include spatial resolution, spectral coverage, and temporal frequency. 1. Spatial resolution describes the level of detail, or smallest size of an object, that can be identified. 2. Spectral coverage refers to how many different colors and different parts of the spectrum are measured. Systems today make from one to seven measurements of light energy for each target area. 3. Temporal frequency refers to the cycle of coverage or how often data are collected from a particular satellite. The temporal frequency of operating remote sensing satellites range from one satellite pass every month to two every day. Remote sensing systems make tradeoffs between spatial resolution, spectral coverage, and temporal frequency. For some uses, fine spatial detail is crucial; an example is cartographic mapping. In other cases, information is needed frequently, but does not require as much detail.
