Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
Expert-defined terms from the Advanced Certificate in Aerial Surveillance Systems course at London School of Planning and Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Aerial Photography refers to the process of taking photographs from an aircraft,… #
The term is closely related to Remote Sensing and is used in various applications such as mapping, surveying, and monitoring environmental changes. Aerial photography can be used to gather data on land use, land cover, and other features of the Earth's surface.
Airborne LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that uses laser ligh… #
The term is related to LIDAR and is used in applications such as topographic mapping, forestry, and urban planning. Airborne LiDAR systems are typically mounted on aircraft and use a laser scanner to collect data on the height and reflectance of objects on the ground.
Albedo refers to the measure of the reflectance of the Earth's surface, t… #
The term is related to solar radiation and is used in applications such as climate modeling and energy balance studies. Albedo is an important factor in determining the amount of solar energy that is absorbed by the Earth's surface.
Anaglyph is a stereoscopic image that is created by combining two images… #
The term is related to 3D visualization and is used in applications such as remote sensing and photogrammetry. Anaglyphs are typically viewed using special glasses that allow the user to see the image in 3D.
Angular Resolution refers to the minimum angle between two points that ca… #
The term is related to spatial resolution and is used in applications such as image interpretation and object detection. Angular resolution is an important factor in determining the quality of a remote sensing image.
Aperture refers to the opening of a camera or other optical ins… #
The term is related to exposure and is used in applications such as photography and remote sensing. Aperture is an important factor in determining the quality of an image.
Aspect Ratio refers to the ratio of the width to the height … #
The term is related to image formatting and is used in applications such as remote sensing and photogrammetry. Aspect ratio is an important factor in determining the quality of an image.
Atmospheric Correction refers to the process of removing the effects of t… #
The term is related to radiative transfer and is used in applications such as image interpretation and change detection. Atmospheric correction is an important step in preparing remote sensing data for analysis.
Automatic Target Recognition refers to the use of algorithms and machi… #
The term is related to object detection and is used in applications such as surveillance and monitoring. Automatic target recognition is an important technology in defense and security applications.
Band refers to a specific range of wavelengths in the electroma… #
The term is related to multispectral and hyperspectral imaging and is used in applications such as remote sensing and image interpretation. Bands are used to collect data on specific features of the Earth's surface, such as vegetation or water.
Base to Height Ratio refers to the ratio of the base to the hei… #
Base to height ratio is an important factor in determining the quality of a stereoscopic image.
Bathymetry refers to the study of the depth of bodies of water , su… #
The term is related to hydrography and is used in applications such as navigation and coastal management. Bathymetry is an important factor in determining the safety of maritime operations.
Binarization refers to the process of converting a gray #
scale image into a binary image, where each pixel is either black or white. The term is related to image processing and is used in applications such as object detection and image segmentation. Binarization is an important step in preparing images for analysis.
Bit Depth refers to the number of bits used to represent each pixel</b… #
The term is related to image quality and is used in applications such as remote sensing and photogrammetry. Bit depth is an important factor in determining the quality of an image.
Calibration refers to the process of adjusting the settings of a remot… #
The term is related to sensor calibration and is used in applications such as image interpretation and change detection. Calibration is an important step in preparing remote sensing data for analysis.
Camera Calibration refers to the process of adjusting the settings of a <… #
The term is related to photogrammetry and is used in applications such as 3D modeling and image interpretation. Camera calibration is an important step in preparing images for analysis.
Classification refers to the process of assigning a label or ca… #
The term is related to pattern recognition and is used in applications such as land cover mapping and object detection. Classification is an important step in extracting information from remote sensing data.
Cloud Cover refers to the amount of clouds present in a remote sensing… #
The term is related to atmospheric conditions and is used in applications such as image interpretation and change detection. Cloud cover can affect the quality of a remote sensing image.
Color Infrared refers to a type of infrared imaging that uses color</i… #
The term is related to multispectral imaging and is used in applications such as vegetation monitoring and water quality assessment. Color infrared images are often used to identify features such as healthy vegetation or polluted water.
Compression refers to the process of reducing the size of a digital im… #
The term is related to image processing and is used in applications such as remote sensing and photogrammetry. Compression is an important step in preparing images for storage and transmission.
Data Fusion refers to the process of combining data from multiple sens… #
The term is related to multisensor systems and is used in applications such as remote sensing and image interpretation. Data fusion is an important technology in defense and security applications.
Digital Elevation Model refers to a 3D model of the Earth's surface, typi… #
The term is related to topography and is used in applications such as land use planning and natural resource management. Digital elevation models are often used to identify features such as hills or valleys.
Digital Image refers to a representation of a scene or object</… #
The term is related to remote sensing and is used in applications such as image interpretation and change detection. Digital images are often used to extract information about the Earth's surface.
Digital Orthophoto refers to a georeferenced image that has been corre… #
The term is related to photogrammetry and is used in applications such as mapping and surveying. Digital orthophotos are often used to create accurate maps of the Earth's surface.
Discrete Cosine Transform refers to a mathematical technique used to c… #
Discrete cosine transform is an important step in preparing images for storage and transmission.
Electromagnetic Spectrum refers to the range of wavelengths of … #
The electromagnetic spectrum is an important factor in determining the type of remote sensing data that can be collected.
Enhancement refers to the process of improving the quality of a <b… #
Enhancement is an important step in preparing images for analysis.
False Color refers to a type of color imaging that uses false or <… #
False color images are often used to identify features such as healthy vegetation or polluted water.
Feature Extraction refers to the process of identifying and extracting… #
The term is related to image interpretation and is used in applications such as land use planning and natural resource management. Feature extraction is an important step in extracting information from remote sensing data.
Geocoding refers to the process of assigning geographic coordinates</b… #
The term is related to georeferencing and is used in applications such as mapping and surveying. Geocoding is an important step in preparing remote sensing data for analysis.
Geographic Information System refers to a computer #
based system for managing and analyzing geographic data. The term is related to remote sensing and is used in applications such as land use planning and natural resource management. Geographic information systems are often used to extract information from remote sensing data.
Georeferencing refers to the process of assigning geographic coordinat… #
The term is related to geocoding and is used in applications such as mapping and surveying. Georeferencing is an important step in preparing remote sensing data for analysis.
Image Interpretation refers to the process of extracting information from… #
Image interpretation is an important step in extracting information from remote sensing data.
Image Processing refers to the process of manipulating and analyzing</… #
Image processing is an important step in preparing remote sensing data for analysis.
Image Registration refers to the process of aligning multiple images</… #
The term is related to photogrammetry and is used in applications such as change detection and monitoring. Image registration is an important step in preparing remote sensing data for analysis.
Infrared Imaging refers to the use of infrared radiation to create images… #
The term is related to remote sensing and is used in applications such as thermal imaging and heat transfer studies. Infrared imaging is an important technology in defense and security applications.
Landsat refers to a series of satellites launched by NASA to colle… #
Landsat data is often used to extract information about the Earth's surface.
LIDAR refers to a remote sensing technology that uses laser light… #
The term is related to airborne lidar and is used in applications such as topographic mapping and urban planning. LIDAR is an important technology in surveying and mapping applications.
Multispectral Imaging refers to the use of multiple bands of the elect… #
The term is related to hyperspectral imaging and is used in applications such as land cover mapping and vegetation monitoring. Multispectral imaging is an important technology in remote sensing applications.
Multitemporal Analysis refers to the process of analyzing multiple ima… #
The term is related to change detection and is used in applications such as land use planning and natural resource management. Multitemporal analysis is an important step in extracting information from remote sensing data.
Object #
Based Image Analysis refers to the process of analyzing remote sensing images using objects or features rather than individual pixels. Object-based image analysis is an important step in extracting information from remote sensing data.
Orthorectification refers to the process of correcting a remote sensin… #
Orthorectification is an important step in preparing remote sensing data for analysis.
Pan #
Sharpening refers to the process of combining a high-resolution panchromatic image with a lower-resolution multispectral image to create a high-resolution multispectral image. The term is related to image fusion and is used in applications such as remote sensing and photogrammetry. Pan-sharpening is an important step in preparing remote sensing data for analysis.
Pattern Recognition refers to the process of identifying and classifyi… #
Pattern recognition is an important step in extracting information from remote sensing data.
Photogrammetry refers to the science of extracting information from ph… #
The term is related to remote sensing and is used in applications such as 3D modeling and image interpretation. Photogrammetry is an important technology in surveying and mapping applications.
Pixel refers to the smallest unit of a digital image , typically re… #
Pixels are often used to extract information from remote sensing data.
Radiative Transfer refers to the process of transferring energy th… #
Radiative transfer is an important factor in determining the quality of a remote sensing image.
Registration refers to the process of aligning multiple images of… #
The term is related to image registration and is used in applications such as change detection and monitoring. Registration is an important step in preparing remote sensing data for analysis.
Remote Sensing refers to the science of acquiring information about the E… #
Remote sensing is an important technology in environmental monitoring and resource management applications.
Resolution refers to the level of detail or sharpness of a remo… #
The term is related to spatial resolution and is used in applications such as image interpretation and change detection. Resolution is an important factor in determining the quality of a remote sensing image.
Satellite Imagery refers to images of the Earth's surface collected using… #
Satellite imagery is an important source of data for remote sensing applications.
Spectral Signature refers to the unique pattern of reflectance or… #
Spectral signatures are often used to identify features such as healthy vegetation or polluted water.
Spatial Analysis refers to the process of analyzing and interpreting</… #
The term is related to geographic information systems and is used in applications such as land use planning and natural resource management. Spatial analysis is an important step in extracting information from remote sensing data.
Spatial Autocorrelation refers to the relationship between the values<… #
The term is related to spatial analysis and is used in applications such as land use planning and natural resource management. Spatial autocorrelation is an important factor in determining the quality of a remote sensing image.
Spatial Resolution refers to the level of detail or sharpness of a… #
The term is related to resolution and is used in applications such as image interpretation and change detection. Spatial resolution is an important factor in determining the quality of a remote sensing image.
Stereoscopic Imaging refers to the use of stereoscopic techniques to crea… #
Stereoscopic imaging is an important technology in surveying and mapping applications.
Supervised Classification refers to the process of classifying a remot… #
The term is related to pattern recognition and is used in applications such as land cover mapping and vegetation monitoring. Supervised classification is an important step in extracting information from remote sensing data.
Thermal Imaging refers to the use of thermal radiation to create images o… #
The term is related to remote sensing and is used in applications such as heat transfer studies and thermal monitoring. Thermal imaging is an important technology in defense and security applications.
Thematic Mapping refers to the process of creating maps that show specifi… #
The term is related to cartography and is used in applications such as land use planning and natural resource management. Thematic mapping is an important step in extracting information from remote sensing data.
Unsupervised Classification refers to the process of classifying a rem… #
Unsupervised classification is an important step in extracting information from remote sensing data.
Vegetation Index refers to a measure of the health and density<… #
The term is related to multispectral imaging and is used in applications such as vegetation monitoring and land cover mapping. Vegetation indices are often used to identify features such as healthy vegetation or stressed vegetation.
Visible Imagery refers to images of the Earth's surface collected using <… #
Visible imagery is an important source of data for remote sensing applications.