APPLICATION OF SATELLITES TO GEOLOGIC EXPLORATION

This article discusses the value of satellite photography in two spectral regions, the visible and near-infrared and the thermal-infrared, to geologic exploration. The first safellite devoted to earth resources evaluation was Landsat-1. The Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS) recorded reflected radiation in two near-infrared (0.7-0.8 micrometers) as well as two visible (0.5-0.6 micrometers and 0.6-0.7 micrometers) wavelength bands. Landsat-1 and Landsat-2, launched on January 23, 1975, provided the photographs utilized in this article to illustrate the application of satellite photography to geologic exploration. Three aspects of the MSS system and the satellite orbital geometry combine to make the images unique and expecially useful for geologic studies; (1) the synoptic view of large areas, (2) the spatially registered multispectral radiometry, and (3) the repetitive imaging, which provides information over time. The third satellite anticipated in this series, the Landsat C, will have an additional wavelength band in the thermal-infrared (8-14 micrometers) region. Another satellite, the Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM), is being designed specifically for thermal-infrared geologic applications.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00030996
• Corporate Authors:

  Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Society

  345 Whitney Avenue
  New Haven, CT  United States  06511
• Authors:
  • Rowan, L C
• Publication Date: 1975-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 393-403
• Serial:
  • American Scientist
  • Volume: 63
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Society
  • ISSN: 0003-0996
  • Serial URL: http://www.americanscientist.org/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Artificial satellites; Exploration; Infrared radiation; Thermal imagery
• Uncontrolled Terms: Near infrared
• Old TRIS Terms: Geological explorations; Multispectral photography; Satellite program; Thermal infrared imagery
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00125020
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 18 1975 12:00AM