The practical application of remote sensing is to answer a question about an object or phenomenon by observing and collecting information without coming into direct contact with the object of study.

For example, you go to dentist because of a sore tooth. You may ask, "do I have a cavity?"

The dentist can answer this question directly by drilling a hole in your tooth to search for any decay or he or she could use a remote sensing technique such as taking an X-ray and seeing if the cavity appears in the photograph.

(Page 2 of 12)
© 2005-2008 Earth System Science Education, Environmental Initiative at Lehigh University