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(2) What is Satellite Observation?
(c) What is Satellite Remote Sensing?
Earth observation satellites are the satellites equipped with remote sensing technology . Various sensors are equipped on these satellites in accordance with their respective missions.
* Typical sensors
The sensors are categorized into three kinds.
1. Observing the reflection of sunlight or the Earth's radiation
Optical sensors
These sensors observe the reflection of sunlight including invisible ultraviolet and near, medium, thermal infrared rays, and the Earth's radiation.
2. Transmitting microwaves to the target and receiving the reflected microwave from the target.
Active microwave sensors
These sensors transmit microwaves to the target and receive the reflected microwaves from the target. This method is not affected by clouds and does not require the sunlight, so it can be used in all weather conditions and during the night . Typical sensors under this category are the Synthetic Aperture Raders (SAR) and Precipitation Radars (PR).
3. Observing the reflected microwave from the target
Passive microwave sensors
These sensors observe the proper microwaves reflected from the target. It can be used in all weather conditions and during the night.
* What can be observed
Optical sensors
Vegetati ve conditions, ground surface temperatures, sea surface temperatures, ground elevation, cloud conditions, water distribution
Active microwave sensors
Vegetative conditions, ground elevation, cloud conditions, water distribution
