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ESM238Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Air Photo Interpretation

This course introduces the elements of remote sensing and aerial photo interpretation. It covers the principles of electromagnetic radiation, energy-matter interactions, and atmospheric effects. Students will learn about various remote sensing systems, including photographic and electro-optical scanners. The course also explores aerial photography concepts, image interpretation techniques, and applications in environmental monitoring and resource management. Topics include spectral reflectance, black body radiation, and radiative transfer.

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50h

Study Time

13

Weeks

4h

Per Week

intermediate

Math Level

Course Keywords

Remote SensingAerial PhotographyPhoto InterpretationElectromagnetic RadiationSpectral Reflectance

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📊

Math Level

Moderate Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Remote Sensing Principles

2

Electromagnetic Radiation

3

Energy-Matter Interactions

4

Atmospheric Effects

5

Aerial Photography

6

Image Interpretation

7

Spectral Reflectance

8

Black Body Radiation

9

Radiative Transfer

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Remote Sensing Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

GIS Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Urban Planner

Apply your skills in this growing field

Resource Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Environmental MonitoringAgricultureUrban PlanningDisaster ManagementResource Management

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

4h

Unit 1: What is Remote Sensing?

2 study hours

•Read the introduction to remote sensing and understand its applications.
•Define remote sensing and explain its importance in environmental research.
•Discuss the historical development of remote sensing technologies.

Unit 2: Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)

2 study hours

•Explain the concept of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and its properties.
•Describe the different forms of energy transmission: conduction, convection, and radiation.
•Discuss the relationship between temperature and wavelength of emitted energy.

Week

2

Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

4h

Unit 3: Characteristics of Electro-Magnetic Radiation

2 study hours

•Explain the characteristics of EMR as wave motion and particle motion.
•Describe the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and velocity of EMR.
•Discuss the four elements of EMR: frequency, transmission direction, amplitude, and plane of polarization.

Unit 4: Interactions between Matter and Electro-magnetic Radiation

2 study hours

•Explain how matter reflects, absorbs, penetrates, and emits EMR.
•Describe the spectral characteristics of matter and their significance.
•Discuss the interaction between hydrogen atoms and the absorption of EMR.

Week

3

Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

4h

Unit 5: Wavelength Regions of Electro-magnetic Radiation

2 study hours

•Identify and describe the different wavelength regions of EMR.
•Explain the classification of EMR regions from gamma rays to radio waves.
•Discuss the specific EMR regions used in remote sensing: UV, visible light, infrared, and microwave.

Unit 6: Types of Remote Sensing with Respect to Wavelength Regions

2 study hours

•Classify remote sensing into visible/reflective infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave.
•Explain the energy source and reflectance properties in each type of remote sensing.
•Compare active and passive microwave remote sensing techniques.

Week

4

Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

4h

Unit 7: Energy-Matter Interactions

2 study hours

•Describe the interactions between energy and matter: transmission, reflection, scattering, and absorption.
•Explain how the atmosphere affects EMR through scattering, absorption, and reflection.
•Discuss the Earth-atmosphere system energy budget.

Unit 8: Effect of Earth on EMR

2 study hours

•Explain the effect of the Earth on EMR, including reflection and absorption.
•Define spectral reflectance and albedo and their significance in remote sensing.
•Discuss the albedos of selected materials at visible wavelengths.

Week

5

Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

4h

Unit 9: Spectral Signatures

2 study hours

•Define spectral signatures and their use in discriminating different objects.
•Explain how multi-spectral scanners detect reflected EMR in different wavelength bands.
•Discuss the limitations of spectral signatures and their dependence on time of day.

Unit 10: Black Body Radiation

2 study hours

•Define black body radiation and its significance in thermal remote sensing.
•Explain Planck's law and Kirchhoff's law in relation to black body radiation.
•Discuss the concept of emissivity and its correction in remote sensing.

Week

6

Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

4h

Unit 11: Reflectance

2 study hours

•Define reflectance and its range from 0 to 1.
•Explain the concepts of albedo and reflectance factor.
•Discuss spectral reflectance and its uniqueness for different objects.

Unit 12: Spectral Reflectance of Land Covers

2 study hours

•Describe the spectral reflectance of different land covers: vegetation, soil, and water.
•Explain the absorption bands in vegetation due to chlorophyll and water content.
•Discuss the use of near-infrared for vegetation surveys and mapping.

Week

7

Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

4h

Unit 13: Spectral Characteristics of Solar Radiation

2 study hours

•Describe the spectral characteristics of solar radiation.
•Explain how sunlight is absorbed and scattered by atmospheric components.
•Discuss the sun constant and its significance.
•Differentiate between direct sunlight and skylight.

Unit 14: Transmittance of the Atmosphere

2 study hours

•Explain how the atmosphere affects sunlight transmission through absorption and scattering.
•Describe Rayleigh scattering and Mie scattering.
•Discuss the concept of atmospheric windows and their importance in remote sensing.

Week

8

Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

2h

Unit 15: Radiative Transfer Equation

2 study hours

•Define radiative transfer and its influence on EMR transmission through the atmosphere.
•Classify atmospheric effects into multiplicative and additive effects.
•Explain the concepts of extinction and emission in radiative transfer.

Week

9

Module 2: Aerial Photography and Image Interpretation

4h

Unit 16: Remote Sensors

2 study hours

•Describe the different remote sensing platforms: hand-held cameras, towers, aircraft, and satellites.
•Explain the use of photographic camera/film systems in remote sensing.
•Discuss the characteristics of digital cameras and their sensor arrays.

Unit 17: Concepts of Aerial Photography

2 study hours

•Explain what an aerial photograph is and how it differs from a map.
•Identify the different types of film used in aerial photography.
•Define focal length and its effect on image distortion.

Week

10

Module 2: Aerial Photography and Image Interpretation

4h

Unit 18: Basic Concepts of Aerial Photography

2 study hours

•Define scale and explain how to calculate it using different methods.
•Differentiate between large-scale and small-scale photos.
•Explain the purpose of fiducial marks on aerial photographs.

Unit 19: Overlap and Stereoscopic Coverage

2 study hours

•Define overlap and its importance in stereoscopic coverage.
•Explain how stereoscopic coverage provides a three-dimensional view.
•Describe the information available from roll and photo numbers.

Week

11

Module 2: Aerial Photography and Image Interpretation

4h

Unit 20: Mosaics

2 study hours

•Define mosaic and its different types: uncontrolled, semi-controlled, and controlled.
•Explain the process of photo interpretation and its importance.
•Define photo interpretation and its purpose.

Unit 21: Stereoscopy

2 study hours

•Explain the concept of stereoscopy and its principles.
•Describe the use of stereoscopes in image interpretation.
•Discuss the advantages of stereoscopy in extracting three-dimensional information.

Week

12

Module 2: Aerial Photography and Image Interpretation

4h

Unit 22: Activities of Airphoto/Image Interpretation

2 study hours

•Describe the activities of airphoto/image interpretation: detection/identification, measurement, and problem-solving.
•Explain the elements of airphoto/image interpretation: tone/color and resolution.
•Discuss the geometric arrangements of tone/color: size and shape.

Unit 23: Elements of Airphoto/Image Interpretation

2 study hours

•Explain the spatial arrangement of tone/color: texture and pattern.
•Discuss the locational or positional elements: site and association.
•Describe the interpreted elements: height and shadow.

Week

13

Module 2: Aerial Photography and Image Interpretation

4h

Unit 24: Techniques of Photographic/Image Interpretation

2 study hours

•Discuss the techniques of photographic/image interpretation: collateral material, interpretation keys, and field verification.
•Explain the handling of imagery and the importance of stereo viewing.
•Describe the multi-concept and its applications in remote sensing.

Unit 25: Methods of Search

2 study hours

•Explain the methods of search: logical search and fishing expedition.
•Discuss the convergence of evidence in image interpretation.
•Review all course materials and prepare for final examination.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review the definitions and principles of remote sensing from Unit 1.

2

Practice calculating scale and interpreting aerial photographs as covered in Units 17-20.

3

Focus on understanding the different types of electromagnetic radiation and their properties (Units 2-5).

4

Create diagrams illustrating energy-matter interactions and atmospheric effects (Units 7-8).

5

Study spectral reflectance curves for various land cover types (Unit 12).

6

Review the elements and techniques of airphoto/image interpretation (Units 22-24).

7

Solve practice problems related to radiative transfer equations (Unit 15).

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