Satellite Image Interpretation Page 1 of 5 Remotely sensed images contain raw image data and when human image interpreters process this data it becomes usable information, a process called image interpretation. The analysis of remotely sensed imagery involves the identification of targets, which may be features that are environmental or artificial, consisting of lines, points or polygons. The recognition of these different targets is the key to interpretation and extracting information. Detecting differences between targets and their background entails comparing the different targets based on any of the visual elements. Thus, the principles of image interpretation apply to both aerial photographs and satellite images. Many of the objects represented in remotely sensed images may be readily identifiable, but is dependant upon our individual perceptions and experiences and is a process that is very similar to the work of a detective. Have a look at the following Landsat Thematic Mapper images. Image 1 This image was acquired on November 2nd, 1982 of Loch Raven Reservoir, near central Maryland. It was created using data taken from the TM equipment of Landsat 4. In the image the blue spectral band was mapped to blue, the red spectral band mapped to green and the near infrared was mapped to red Image courtesy of Ray Sterner of The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Can you identify some of the following features in this image? (use the basic interpretation characteristics) · Reservoir · Bridge · Industrial sites · Roads Click here for an image interpretation Image 2 This image is of Fredericton, New Brunswick in Canada and was taken on October 20th 1993 and were created using data from bands 5, 4 and 3, with band 5 being displayed in red, band 4 in green and band 3 in blue. Image courtesy of the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, Natural Resources Canada. Can you identify some of the following features in this image? (use the basic interpretation characteristics) · Agricultural fields · Power lines · Stream valleys · Geological structures Click here for an image interpretation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Page 1 of 5