Question

Write a short note on effect of atmosphere on remote sensing.

Answer 1

The atmosphere plays a significant role in influencing the quality and accuracy of remote sensing data. When electromagnetic radiation travels from the Earth’s surface to a remote sensing sensor, it must pass through the atmosphere. During this journey, the radiation is subject to various atmospheric effects, such as scattering, absorption, and refraction.

Scattering occurs when particles like dust, water droplets, or gases in the atmosphere cause the radiation to deviate from its original path. This can reduce the clarity and contrast of the images captured by the sensor. Absorption happens when atmospheric gases, such as water vapour, ozone, and carbon dioxide, absorb certain wavelengths of radiation. This creates gaps in the spectrum where data is not collected effectively. Refraction can also bend the path of the radiation, slightly shifting the apparent position of features in the images.

Overall, these atmospheric effects can degrade the quality of remote sensing data, making it essential to apply atmospheric correction techniques to improve data reliability and accuracy.