Remote sensing involves gathering information by inspecting objects or phenomena from a distance, as opposed to viewing them close at hand and examining them by sight or touch. Most of the time, remote sensing applies to observing and gaining information about the Earth, often by satellite or aerial imaging. Using remote sensing allows scientists and organizations to obtain insight about the objects they're viewing for scientific study. With remote sensing, you can use photography and video to see much more than you could from the ground, and you can employ special cameras to observe radiation and temperature changes or sonar to mark distances from the ocean floor to the surface.‎

Remote sensing allows you to view and observe conditions and data about the Earth and the oceans that you would never be able to see from the ground or in a laboratory. With remote sensing, you can map forest fires and fight them more effectively or observe land usage over large areas. Meteorologists use remote sensing to determine weather patterns and make predictions, while geologists rely on remote sensing to watch volcanoes and track seismic changes. Oceanographers map the ocean floor and watch coastal erosion and tidal changes with remote sensing as well. It's a valuable tool that gives you rich insight on how the planet operates and changes.‎

If you have a broad knowledge of remote sensing and its applications, you can find a career in geography, physical science, surveying, or one of many other fields. Government agencies and other organizations use remote sensing for scientific research and policy setting, and there are job opportunities in those fields. Remote sensing is a crucial skill for environmental science careers, as well as for mapmaking and Geographic Information Systems. You can also work analyzing data or building databases of geospatial information. You can even use remote sensing imaging to create beautiful works of art.‎