Air Photo Interpretation

1. Explain the principles of remote sensing and its applications.
2. Describe the properties of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter.
3. Analyze the effects of the atmosphere on remote sensing data.
4. Interpret aerial photographs and extract meaningful information.
5. Apply image interpretation techniques to identify objects and features.
6. Evaluate the spectral reflectance characteristics of different land covers.

13 weeks, about 50 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

   • Unit 1: What is Remote Sensing? · 2 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 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..

2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

   • Unit 3: Characteristics of Electro-Magnetic Radiation · 2 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 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..

3. Week 3Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

   • Unit 5: Wavelength Regions of Electro-magnetic Radiation · 2 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 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..

4. Week 4Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

   • Unit 7: Energy-Matter Interactions · 2 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 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..

5. Week 5Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

   • Unit 9: Spectral Signatures · 2 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 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..

6. Week 6Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

   • Unit 11: Reflectance · 2 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 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..

7. Week 7Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

   • Unit 13: Spectral Characteristics of Solar Radiation · 2 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 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..

8. Week 8Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing

   • Unit 15: Radiative Transfer Equation · 2 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..

9. Week 9Module 2: Aerial Photography and Image Interpretation

   • Unit 16: Remote Sensors · 2 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 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..

10. Week 10Module 2: Aerial Photography and Image Interpretation

    • Unit 18: Basic Concepts of Aerial Photography · 2 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 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..

11. Week 11Module 2: Aerial Photography and Image Interpretation

    • Unit 20: Mosaics · 2 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 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..

12. Week 12Module 2: Aerial Photography and Image Interpretation

    • Unit 22: Activities of Airphoto/Image Interpretation · 2 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 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..

13. Week 13Module 2: Aerial Photography and Image Interpretation

    • Unit 24: Techniques of Photographic/Image Interpretation · 2 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 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..