Remote sensing captures reflected and emitted energy across the electromagnetic spectrum β from ultraviolet to microwaves. Each region reveals what the eye alone cannot see.
01 β The Spectrum
Each band of the electromagnetic spectrum interacts differently with the atmosphere, water, vegetation and soil. Matching the right wavelength to the right question is the foundation of remote sensing.
Atmospheric ozone, phytoplankton, mineral mapping
True-color imagery, land cover, ocean color
Vegetation health, surface temperature, fires
All-weather imaging, soil moisture, sea ice
02 β Wavelength Regions
03 β Application Domains
NDVI, NDWI and thermal bands monitor crop health, irrigation, yield and stress from field to continent.
Multi-temporal optical and SAR track deforestation, biomass, species and carbon stock.
Microwave and altimetry map floods, wetlands, reservoirs, soil moisture and river levels.
Ocean color, SST and altimetry observe currents, eddies, biology and sea-level rise.
UV, IR and microwave sounders profile ozone, greenhouse gases, aerosols and temperature.
Rapid all-weather SAR and IR imaging supports floods, fires, earthquakes and oil spills.
Very-high-resolution optical and InSAR deformation monitor cities, subsidence and transport.
SWIR spectroscopy and radar identify minerals, lithology, faults and structural features.
Altimetry, SAR and passive MW measure ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice and permafrost change.
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Β© 2026 SpectralEarth β Remote sensing reference guide.