Physical Principles of Remote Sensing

This new edition textbook explains remote sensing of the Earth's surface and atmosphere from space using electromagnetic radiation. It covers topics such as overviews of electromagnetic propagation in free space and in matter, surface and volume scattering, the interaction of radiation with the atmosphere, the main classes of sensor, satellite orbits for remote sensing, and an introduction to image processing. Extensively revised and expanded, the second edition contains completely new material, including a discussion of the radiative transfer equation, atmospheric sounding techniques and interferometric radar and a discussion of GPS. Also including numerous problems with solutions, this book forms the basis of an introductory course for students in remote sensing, geography, cartography, surveying, meteorology, earth sciences and environmental sciences. It will also be an essential reference for researchers and a useful supplementary text in some physics, mathematics and engineering courses.