1 of 45

2 of 45

Introduction to Earth Observation

3 of 45

[Optional: slide introducing presenters]

4 of 45

What is Earth Observation?

Earth observation involves collecting imagery and measurements of the surface of the Earth from the vantage point of space.

Specially designed instruments on-board satellites orbit the Earth taking measurements - giant cameras, radars, and even lasers!

Provides info for research in many fields: meteorology, oceanography, ecology, glaciology, atmospheric science (to name a few!)

'Earthrise' - Apollo 8 Mission, 1968

When we say earth observation, what do we mean? Well it is the ways we collect information about the physical, chemical and biological systems of Earth from the vantage point of space.

We send specially designed instruments up into space to orbit the Earth on satellites, taking measurements as they go. These include giant cameras, radars, and even lasers!

Earth observation provides information for research in fields including meteorology, oceanography, ecology, glaciology, atmospheric science and many more!

This picture shows the very first ‘Earth Observation’ – an iconic image, taken in 1968 by the Apollo 8 mission, showing ‘Earthrise’ from the Moon. From this moment onwards, humankind has become more and more obsessed with observing the Earth from space and so we have sent more and more satellites and instruments up into orbit to do just that – meaning we now have a approx. 50years of measurements from space over which we can observe annual, seasonal and daily changes. But obviously no info on longer timescales than this.

Image credits

Earthrise – creative commons license - https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasappere/46531570361

5 of 45

Definition: something in orbit around the Earth (or another planet!)
Fun Fact! The Earth itself is a natural satellite, orbiting the Sun
Thousands of man made satellite orbit the earth
Give a bird's eye view of the Earth

What is a satellite?

6 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

7 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

8 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

9 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

10 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

11 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

12 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

13 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

14 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

15 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

16 of 45

Is it a satellite?

NEED TO ADD ANIMATIONS SO COME IN ONE AT A TIME FOLLOWED BY YES/NO

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

17 of 45

Is it a satellite?

Is it a satellite? (could ask students to put their hands up for yes / no)

The international space station - YES

GPS – NO, but it uses satellites

The Moon – YES

The voyager probe – NO, it’s not in orbit!

Satellite phone – NO, but it uses satellites

Hubble space telescope – YES

Picture credits:

Moon – Gregory H. Revera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FullMoon2010.jpg#filelinks

Hubble space telescope – NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/story/index.html

Voyager probe – NASA https://www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/14813876421

Satellite phone - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_Satellite_phones.jpg

ISS – NASA Johnson https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/31763901878

GPS – public domain https://freesvg.org/gps-satnav-on

Tick and cross – vector stock image https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-tick-symbol-and-red-cross-sign-in-circle-vector-21387737

18 of 45

What are (artificial) satellites used for?

Space stations - home for astronauts, space laboratory

Telecommunications - TV and radio, satellite phones

GPS or SatNav - navigation

Earth observation - weather monitoring, scientific research, cartography (e.g. Google maps)

Space observation (space telescopes) - stars, planets, space phenomena

19 of 45

Where on Earth..?

1.

Eiffel Tower,

A quick quiz

20 of 45

Where on Earth..?

1.

Eiffel Tower,

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Image from very high-resolution WorldView-2 Satellite

21 of 45

2.

22 of 45

2.

Antarctica

This is actually a mosaic image made up of lots of smaller satellite images, because Antarctica is so big!

23 of 45

3.

24 of 45

3.

Mount Everest

Image from very high-resolution GeoEye-1 Satellite

25 of 45

4.

What do you think the bright orange feature is?

Can you identify any other interesting features?

26 of 45

4.

La Palma, Canary Islands

During an eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano!

This is an infrared image, meaning it can detect the lava flow due to its heat causing it to appear very bright.

27 of 45

The Biosphere

from Space

28 of 45

The biosphere = parts of the Earth where life exists

The biosphere includes earth, water and air

Most life exists in the top 500m of the ocean and extends up to 6km above sea level

Forests hold some of the most diverse and dense regions of biosphere

The Biosphere from Space

What is the Biosphere?

29 of 45

Algal blooms
Turtle nestings
Coastal plants

Forest disturbance
Tree height
Animal migrations

Ocean

What can we measure from space?

Land

The Biosphere from Space

30 of 45

The Biosphere from Space

Today we will focus on forest fires

31 of 45

What forest fires are

Why forest fires are changing

How satellites can measure forest fires impacts

Why satellites are useful for monitoring fires

We will learn:

The Biosphere from Space

85% of surface area burned

is in tropical savannahs

32 of 45

In some regions fires naturally occur every year

Causes of forest fires include:

Lightning
Cultural burning by indigenous peoples
Accidental ignitions (e.g. camp fires)
Purposeful ignitions (e.g. clearing land)

Not all forest fires are bad

The Biosphere from Space

Forest fire facts

33 of 45

The Biosphere from Space

Good fire

Damaging fire

Occurs regularly
Improves soil nutrients
Triggers seed release
Reduces the risk of damaging fires

Burns a larger area
Kills lots of trees
Harms human health
Can damage houses and roads

34 of 45

Increasing number of fires

How can you tell this was a damaging fire?

35 of 45

Increasing number of fires

No living trees

No living vegetation

Animal habitat destroyed

Exe

Examples

36 of 45

Forest fires are changing

37 of 45

Not all ecosystems are prepared for fires.

Fire damage and occurrence has increased due to:

Climate change

Prevention of natural fires using firefighting

Reduced cultural burning by indigenous peoples

Burning land to be used for farming

Forest fires contribute nearly a quarter of all fire-related emissions

The Biosphere from Space

How and why are forest fires changing?

38 of 45

The Biosphere from Space

Before fire

After fire

Ask if you have any questions or need help :)

Activity 1: Comparing a forest before and after fire

Go to page 1 of the worksheet

Compare the images before and after fire

Identify:

1) Differences and similarities
2) Clues of previous fire
3) Reasons for increased flooding risk

39 of 45

Forest fires can be mapped using satellite images

These maps can be used to:

Help forest management teams

Decide how to treat fire

Reduce the impact on people and property

Reduce the need for people to map fire-prone remote regions on foot

The Biosphere from Space

Mapping fires helps manage...

Forestry

Recreation

Wildlife

Flooding

How can satellites measure forest fire impacts?

40 of 45

Satellite instruments measure light in regions of the electromagnetic spectrum

This includes light that we can see = visible light

The range of wavelengths measured by satellite is known as a band

Bands can represent any section of the electromagnetic spectrum

The Biosphere from Space

What do satellites measure?

41 of 45

Satellites measure multiple bands

Single bands are displayed as grey images

Layering three bands creates a colour composite image

By dividing one band from another, an index is created

The Biosphere from Space

What are colour composites and indexes?

Colour composite

Choosing bands

Bands measured

42 of 45

The Biosphere from Space

Wallabi Point, Australia

Go to Activity 2 in the worksheet

Compare how satellite images vary:

1) Before and after fire
2) Among composites and indices
3) In usefulness for mapping fires

Activity 2: Compare satellite images before and after fire

Ask if you have any questions or need help :)

43 of 45

Fire can have different effects on forests and is changing

Satellites are useful for identifying areas burned by fire

Satellites can measure different bands

Colour composites and indices can be created from these bands

The Biosphere from Space

What did we learn today?

44 of 45

Bonus Activities 1 and 2

Other resources:

Using MODIS satelite to detect forest fires: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5985c0af444c4fbbb53b92a1bf880503
Managing the Woodward Fire: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/6c3a35fdf9d049298874d8c27a6ca0cb?item=9
Play with LEO Labs website: https://platform.leolabs.space/visualization

The Biosphere from Space

Where can I find out more?

45 of 45

Copes‐Gerbitz, K., Daniels, L. D., & Hagerman, S. M. (2023). The contribution of Indigenous stewardship to an historical mixed‐severity fire regime in British Columbia, Canada. Ecological Applications, 33(1), e2736.
https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/how-2023-compares-to-previous-seasons/
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-role-of-the-grass-layer-for-the-spread-of-fire-in-the-savanna-landscape-Western_fig3_336899165
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-declares-state-of-emergency-as-hundreds-of-wildfires-burn-across-province-1.4785983
https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/giant-sequoias-and-fire.htm
https://gsp.humboldt.edu/olm/Courses/GSP_216/lessons/composites.html
https://images.app.goo.gl/93V5m5dk7jgVR1599
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/wildfires-kill-unprecedented-numbers-of-large-sequoia-trees.htm
https://www.britannica.com/science/electromagnetic-spectrum
ttps://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/biosphere/
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/91e794af4ce44a4685e6340d5480e70
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/480294c229fe491187980c5c6aad932c
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7ba1715929bb4cc591b3bbade3e30895
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/6c3a35fdf9d049298874d8c27a6ca0cb?item=9
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/201831244b6d4633a82bc768c91cb9c5
https://wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_fires_forests_and_the_future_report.pdf
https://www.australianenvironmentaleducation.com.au/education-resources/what-is-the-biosphere/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normalized_difference_vegetation_index
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/014311698213795casa_token=hsJrAZiynQMAAAAA:o3Rfo9a2LfKOpLcCFpyBsWqn88TxPalOM3ZsgZ96K-odurUeGcsMCB2YiAWfoxlGiTk4mf0ApR5HIEU
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/17/before-and-after-images-show-scale-of-bushfire-devastation

Sources used