EarthDay 2000: Interpreting Satellite Imagery Activity (p.2)

What can you see from a satellite image?

Standing on the ground, a scientist can observe the landscape and create a map that shows the characteristics of that particular place. But many scientists ask questions that require observations of very large regions or of the whole planet. Remote sensing describes a number of different techniques for collecting information about a surface or object from a great distance.

Remote sensing from aircraft and satellites provides the information needed to answer fundamental Earth science and environmental questions. With these systems, vast areas of the Earth's surface may be studied in great detail and over long periods of time, so that a scientist can understand both the large scale processes and their impacts on specific regions.

Scientists often study satellite images that are composed of digital data collected in orbit and then transmitted to a ground station on Earth.
Computers are used to enhance the images in order for scientists to study specific features present on the Earth's surface such as forests, urban areas, volcanoes and deserts.

The information gathered from a satellite image is helpful in answering questions such as the health of a forest, the effects of flooding on a city, or how an urban area has changed over time.

Now you can test your skills at interpreting a satellite image.

Back to the start of the activity