Abstract Here, we consider a topic which is absolutely central to the successful operation of all satellites and spacecraft, namely, the basic principles and fundamental concepts of visible light in particular and of electromagnetic radiation in general. Both the wavelike nature of light (the speed of light being 300,000 km/s through free space) and its particle-like nature (as photons) are considered. We introduce its wave properties which explain the phenomena of reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, polarization, and the Doppler effect. The photon properties explain blackbody radiation, continuous spectra, emission spectra, absorption spectra, and the photoelectric effect. We mention how electromagnetic radiation is used actively for radio communications with Earth-orbiting satellites and passively for remote sensing investigations not only of the atmospheres of the Earth and other planets but also of distant stars and the structure of Universe.
Electromagnetic Radiation Principles and Concepts as Applied to Space Remote Sensing
Handbook of Satellite Applications ; 833-846
2nd ed. 2017
2017-01-01
14 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
Electromagnetic radiation , Electromagnetic waves , Frequency , Gamma-rays , GPS , Infrared , Light , Milky Way , Photons , Radar , Radio waves , Spectra , Sun , Ultraviolet , Universe , Velocity of light , Wavelength , X-rays Engineering , Aerospace Technology and Astronautics , Applied and Technical Physics , Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry , Computer Applications in Chemistry , Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics) , Communications Engineering, Networks
NTIS | 1997
|NTRS | 1997
|NTIS | 1997
|NTRS | 1997
|Applied Remote Sensing Program (ARSP)
NTRS | 1979
|