Knowra Earth observation Earth observation Earth observation is the collection and analysis of information about Earth using measurements made from aircraft, satellites, and other platforms above its surface.
Remote sensing : The acquisition of information about an object or area without physical contact, commonly using reflected or emitted energy. Earth observation uses remote sensing to measure land, water, and atmosphere from a distance.
Earth observation satellite : An artificial satellite designed to measure Earth's land, oceans, atmosphere, or cryosphere. These satellites provide recurring measurements across large areas.
Land-cover change : A change over time in the physical material covering Earth's surface. Repeated imagery reveals conversion among forests, farms, cities, and other covers.
Aerial photography : The capture of photographs from aircraft or other airborne platforms. It established systematic observation from above before satellite imaging.
Open data : Data that anyone can access, use, and share under specified conditions. Freely available satellite archives widen access to environmental analysis.
Electromagnetic spectrum : The full range of electromagnetic radiation, organized by wavelength or frequency. Different wavelength bands reveal different surface and atmospheric properties.
Synthetic-aperture radar : A radar imaging technique that uses a moving antenna to produce high-resolution images. It can observe surfaces through clouds and in darkness, unlike many optical sensors.
Deforestation : The large-scale removal or clearing of forests, often converting land to another use. Satellite time series can locate forest loss and track its extent.
Landsat program : A United States program that has collected satellite images of Earth's land since 1972. Its long-running archive enables comparisons of land change across decades.
Climate change monitoring : The repeated observation of climate indicators to detect and characterize change over time. Long Earth-observation records reveal trends in ice, vegetation, oceans, and atmosphere.
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