Fundamentals of Earth Observation from Space - Satellite payloads and imagery, satellite orbits, platforms, imaging techniques, Field of view, pixel, spatial resolution, scan line,
navigation, registration, revisit time. Rayleigh and Mie scattering of solar radiation in the earth’s atmosphere; Spectral dependence of surface reflectance in different surface types (e.g., ocean, thick vegetation, desert, ice) in the visible and near-IR.

Fundamental radiation transfer equations: For satellite-measured radiance due to scattered and reflected solar radiation from the earth-atmosphere system; emitted radiation from earth’s surface.

Characteristics of the passive and active remote sensing techniques: Techniques and ideal spectral bands for passive remote sensing of surface types, vegetation, ocean surface temperature and chlorophyll, and atmospheric constituents (minor constituents, aerosols, and clouds) using visible and IR radiometry. Inversion techniques for retrieval of geophysical parameters from satellite data.

Remote sensing and tracking of weather systems using satellite observations: Fog, convective systems, lows, depressions, cyclones Microwave remote sensing of surface and atmospheric parameters Active remote sensing of clouds and surface winds using microwave radars Atmosphere Soundings – Temperature, Humidity

Physical Oceanography : Sea surface heights, currents, waves. Cryosphere – Polar Science (surface extent, snow height, glacier, snow water equivalence, seasonal snow cover)
Hydrosphere : Precipitation, Soil Moisture Calibration and validation techniques (CAL/VAL)

Case study: Tracking of a cyclone using visible and IR remote sensing data obtained from geostationary satellite.