Remote sensing

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/remote-sensing

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the energy interaction?Utilizes electromagnetic radiation (visible, infrared, microwave) interacting with Earth's surface materials
2. How do satellites take pictures of the Earth?Satellites have special sensors that watch the light reflected by the sun or the light they send out. They record this light in many colors, or wavelengths, and then computers turn the data into pictures. These pictures can show changes over time, like new buildings or melting ice.
3. Why do scientists use remote sensing to help the planet?Remote sensing gives big, up‑to‑date maps that help scientists track climate change, find lost animals, and see how forests are shrinking. It also helps people respond quickly after floods or wildfires by showing damaged areas from space.

Electromagnetic Spectrum: The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by frequency and wavelength.
Spectral Resolution: The ability of a sensor to distinguish between different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
Spatial Resolution: The level of detail in a remote sensing image, determined by the size of the smallest object that can be detected.