Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing is a technology which is required to collect information about an object or to observe a medium without coming in direct contact with that object or medium. Remote sensing is done using devices that are fitted on the ground, aircrafts, sea vessels, or satellites. Remote sensing technology makes available unique information of our planet and gives us a broader vision. A totally new perspective is achieved when we look at earth via remote sensors fitted in the satellites. A different outlook is unlocked as compared to what we see standing on the earth. Satellite remote sensing caters the understanding of earth’s dynamic environment that affects the biodiversity. It’s through remote sensing technology we know that earth is having a fever. Working with remote sensing technology is a phenomenal experience a person can get. 

  

“Man must rise above the Earth - to the top of the atmosphere and beyond - for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he dwells.” Socrates

There are two types of remote sensing technologies:

Passive remote sensing technology

This technology is used to record radiations coming from an object or area. For example: An infrared camera that records heat coming from an object or a camera that registers the sunlight that is reflected from an area.   

Active remote sensing technology

In this technology, the remote sensing device sends out its own signal to any object and then receives back that signal to collect information about that object. For example: A remote sensor that is affixed in an aircraft and is using a pulsed laser to gather location or shape of the surface below it.    

Written by,

Engr. Ayesha Alam Khurram                  

THE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM, GPS

When we were kids we were fascinated by the sky and stars. We used to listen to stories of North Star and the glittering night sky. We knew that people in ocean see stars patterns for finding ways.

The mesmerizing idea of finding way using stars and pointing out one’s location on a handmade hand held map has brought up with the notion of Global Positioning System i.e. GPS and sparked an era of geospatial revolution. This technology has revolutionized the world forever.

GIS is a combination of a constellation of artificial satellites or man-made stars orbiting the earth 24/7 and GPS receiver on the ground. GPS is a locational system and a timing tool. GPS is a management tool in many fields. In the modern age, GPS technology is a vital element of global information infrastructure. A jet cannot take off or land without using GPS. GPS is used for vehicle tracking and security. GPS is essential for going to remote places especially if we don’t know the route and exact destination. It is the era of autonomous devices called quad copters. A quad copter must be equipped with a GPS system to calculate its position with respect to the environment.    

To further improve the GPS technology, billions of dollars are being spent and mind skills are being utilized to modernize the GPS technology. There are many enchanting usage of this technology being discovered one after another. It’s via GPS that we can discover the hidden pattern of biodiversity. For example, the pattern of green turtles migration are revealed using GPS technology.

Using GPS technology is more like addiction rather than necessity.

Written by,

Engr. Ayesha Alam Khurram