Introduction

Life on Earth would not be possible without the sun. It provides energy in the form of radiation that is key to the survival of countless organisms. The sun is also the reason we are able to see, and the way in which we perceive colors is dependent on how objects interact with the radiation emitted from the sun. In this module we will dive into the electromagnetic spectrum and go over some radiation fundamentals. We will also learn how the Earth interacts with radiation and how remote sensing techniques manipulate the electromagnetic spectrum to better understand spatial analysis.

Outcomes

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and radiation fundamentals.
• List and describe the major wavelengths we use to view the Earth and the different types of radiation from the sun.
• Explain atmospheric and surface interactions of radiation.
• Recognize what a spectral signature is and what it looks like for several basic Earth surfaces.
• Explain the dominant factors controlling leaf reflectance and the spectral signature of leaves.
• Illustrate vegetation indices and how to apply them.