[ARCHIVED] Earth Observation from Space: the Optical View

This course will provide an introduction to optical Earth observation – monitoring our planet from satellites, using photography, imaging in various wavelengths, lidar and other optical sensing technologies.

You’ll find out how satellite data is acquired and used, the range of data types available, and the terminology and techniques involved. The course will also provide detailed case studies of how this data is used in diverse fields, from climate science to humanitarian relief, monitoring of urban change to agriculture, and many other areas.

Learning Outcomes

• Explore how we observe and measure the Earth with optical sensors
• Investigate how satellite data is used alongside other forms of measurement
• Describe the main types of data acquired through Copernicus and other missions
• Explore how to conduct simple analysis using a range of different types of optical Earth observation (EO) data
• Investigate how optical EO data is used in policy and decision-making, in a range of arenas, in conjunction with models.